From the Organizer
Join us for the 2026 Tails Humane Society Mutt Strut, where every step you take makes a difference for homeless pets in need! Whether you run or walk the 5k route, you’re supporting our mission to care for and find loving homes for animals. There is also a 1 mile walk option available.
Bring your furry friends along – dogs are more than welcome to join in the fun!
Together, we can wag more tails and make a lasting impact in our community.
Mutt Strut benefits Tails Humane Society and the 2,200 homeless pets that we care for each year. The proceeds from this event go directly to caring for the animals in our care. It helps with their day-to-day care from food and litter to medicine and surgical procedures!
Note: This is a fun run/walk and will not be officially timed.
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
76°
Typical Low
55°
Chance of Rain
30%
Based on US Climate Normals data from De Kalb, 2 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
40,464
as of 2023
City Elevation
881 ft
Nearest Airport
RFD
Chicago Rockford International Airport · 27 mi
Major Hub
ORD
Chicago O'Hare International Airport · 44 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Mutt Strut 5K (Dog Friendly Walk/Run), put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
87
Days to train
Coming Up
Malta Tractor Trot
6 miles away
DeKalb Park District Independence Day 5k/10k
Less than a mile away
Coon Creek Classic
15 miles away
Alana's Eternal Light 5K
10 miles away
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Mutt Strut 5K (Dog Friendly Walk/Run)
Sep 12, 2026