Paws for a Cause 5k is a running race on October 18, 2026 in Urbana, IL.
From the Organizer
Join us for the Paws for a Cause 5K on October 18th!
This community 5K is being organized through a collaboration between Hill’s, Purina, OTS, Nutrition Club, Run Club, and the University of Illinois veterinary community. The goal is to bring students, faculty, staff, and members of the Champaign-Urbana community together for a fun morning of running, walking, and giving back.
Fifty percent of the proceeds from the event will be donated to a selected charity or good cause, with the remaining funds supporting the clubs involved in organizing the race.
Whether you are an experienced runner, a casual walker, or simply looking for a fun way to get active and support the community, everyone is welcome.
The event will include a 5K run/walk, age-group awards and medals, prizes for top finishers, and post-race snacks and refreshments.
Come out for a fun morning of fitness, community, and giving back while supporting a great cause.
October 18th | Champaign-Urbana, IL
More details about registration, the course, and the selected charity will be announced soon. We hope to see you there!
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
65°
Typical Low
43°
Chance of Rain
31%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Champaign 3s, 1 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
38,447
as of 2023
City Elevation
737 ft
Nearest Airport
CMI
University of Illinois Willard Airport · 6 mi
Major Hub
IND
Indianapolis International Airport · 104 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 Paws for a Cause 5k, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
42
Days to train
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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 an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
Paws for a Cause 5k
Oct 18, 2026