Race the Dead
- Date
- October 30, 2026
- Distance
- Race The Dead - With Shirt · Race The Dead - No Shirt
From the Organizer
Registration Opens September 3
$20 with shirt ($2 LRC member discount)
Shirt is long sleeve technical with a seasonal image.
NOTE: Registration with shirt is only open through Oct 17.
Entry without Shirt is $8 ($2 LRC member discount)
And is open for on-line registration through October 30.
PLACE
Kicks Bar and Grill
19578 N 1960 East Rd
Towanda, IL US 61776
DESCRIPTION
Race the Dead is a fun run opportunity to dress up and scare your fellow runners, hosted out of Kicks Bar and Grill in Towanda. The course is a flat 5K in length, but some don't make it past the first water stop. Scenic luminaries line the old (Dead) RT 66 course and you run past the historic haunted Towanda cemetery on this out and back course. The run is NOT officially timed, but there will be an illuminated clock at the finish line.
While the luminaries gorgeously define the course, we recommend you bring a flashlight, especially if you are a slower runner. Costumes are not required, but if you dress in your favorite Halloween costume you may win a prize.
Runners can hit the single water stop twice. The stop is located about .4 miles from the start/finish and offers water as well as some seasonal treats and refreshments.
Entry fee includes a coupon for a soft drink or beer at Kicks.
Race start is at sundown in Towanda which will be 5:53 PM this year. There could be some noise makers at the start, and depending on wind conditions the race will start +/- 60 seconds of official 5:53 PM sundown.
RACE CONTACT INFO:
Questions? Contact Kirby Cheek at kirby_j_cheek@msn.com or call 309 533-8689. Leave a message and we will call you back.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
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
58°
Typical Low
37°
Chance of Rain
30%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Normal 4ne, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Towanda, IL
Elevation
791 ft
Nearest Airport
BMI
Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal · 5 mi
Major Hub
MDW
Chicago Midway International Airport · 104 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Race the Dead, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
Coming Up
More Running races near Towanda, IL
Fleet Feet Mini Milers
6 miles away
Park 2 Park 5 Miler
5 Mile
6 miles away
Run for a Cause: MCTS 5K/2K Run (Sangamam '26)
5K
6 miles away
Hill of a Race
6 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
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.
Running
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)
- What is the Race the Dead?
- Race the Dead is a running race held in Towanda, Illinois on October 30, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Race the Dead?
- Friday, October 30, 2026 in Towanda, Illinois at 19578 N 1960 East Rd, Towanda, IL. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Race the Dead?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Race the Dead
Oct 30, 2026