
From the Organizer
A PAWSITIVE EVENT SUPPORTING A VERY WORTHY CAUSE! JOIN US IN SUPPORT OF DOWN THE LEASH SERVICE DOGS WITH OUR ANNUAL 5K FUN RUN AND WALK.
DOWN THE LEASH SERVICE DOGS IS A 501(C)3 VETERAN RAN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES A SAFE SPACE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR NATIONS HEROS TEACHING THEM BASIC AND ADVANCED DOG HANDLING SKILLS FOR THEIR OWN SERVICE DOGS.
RACE DAY IS ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 10, 2026. RUNNER CHECK-IN AND PACKET PICK UP WILL BEGIN AT 9AM. THE EVENT WILL BEGIN AT 10:30 AM WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY FEATURING A SHORT PRESENTATION. THE 5K RUN AND WALK WILL BEGIN AFTER, WITH AWARDS IMMEDIATELY TO FOLLOW. LIVE BAND AND OTHER FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES TO FOLLOW THE RACE.
THE RACE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HERRIN PARK LOCATED IN HERRIN, ILLINOIS
What is Down the Leash?
DOWN THE LEASH SERVICE DOGS IS MORE THAN JUST SERVICE DOG TRAINING. DOWN THE LEASH SERVICE DOGS ARE A FAMILY, A PLACE WHERE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES CAN FEEL AT HOME, SUPPORTED, AND WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS... NOT JUST FOR THE DURATION OF DOG TRAINING, BUT FOR LIFE. WE ARE... A 501(C) NON-PROFIT THAT HAS HELPED OVER 60 VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY IN THREE YEARS OF OPERATION. WE CURRENTLY TRAIN OUT OF THE MASONIC LODGE IN HERRIN ILLINOIS EVERY SUNDAY AFTERNOON. WE NEED... FUNDS RAISED WILL BE USED TO HELP US TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR LOCAL VETERANS. THE COST TO TRAIN A SERVICE DOG CAN EXCEED $20,000 AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER VA BENEFITS. DOWN THE LEASH SERVICE DOGS COVERS ALL THE COSTS OF THE TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR EACH PARTICIPANT.
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
73°
Typical Low
46°
Chance of Rain
28%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Carbondale Sewage Plt, 9 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
12,271
as of 2023
Elevation
430 ft
Nearest Airport
MWA
Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois · 4 mi
Major Hub
STL
St. Louis Lambert International Airport · 98 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A small town race. Lodging near the start could be limited, so book early.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at OPERATION JAKE 5K RUN AND WALK, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
124
Days to train
Coming Up
Cross Country Sundown Showdown
4 miles away
Feather Hills Double Barrel 5K/10K
16 miles away
Hope Fest 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run
7 miles away
The Last Boyscout
16 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)
OPERATION JAKE 5K RUN AND WALK
Oct 10, 2026