Lakefront 10 Miler & 5K

VOLUNTEER

1/5

Date & Time

Sunday, April 12, 2026

9:00 a.m.

Description

This Spring tradition features a 10 Mile & 5K course along the Chicago lakefront with a unique track finish.

Location

Montrose Beach - Lincoln Park

Lake Shore Dr. & Wilson Dr.

Chicago, IL 60640

About

The Lakefront 10 Miler & 5k, presented by Fleet Feet, is a spring tradition in Chicago. Started in 1978, this is CARA's longest running race and the original race along the lakefront. The 10 mile and 5k courses span along the beautiful Chicago Lakefront, feature a climb up and over Cricket Hill, and track finish.

Sponsors

BECOME A SPONSOR

Amenities

Chip-Timed 10 Mile and 5K
Race Shirt
Custom Designed Keepsake Race Bib
Professional announcing by Chicago legend Dave Kappas
Overall and Age-Group Awards
Prize Money for Top Three 10 Mile Finishers
10 Mile is a CARA Runners' Choice Circuit Race
Finishers medal for all finishers in the 5k and 10 mile
Post-race beverages

Course

The course begins on the Wilson Track and progresses along Chicago's scenic Lakefront Path. Throughout the course runners will enjoy breathtaking views of the lake shore, the Chicago skyline and those of Montrose, Belmont, and Diversey Harbors. Participants in the 10 Miler will run south to Fullerton before returning north to the Montrose Ave. tunnel. Participants in the 5K will split off at the first pass of the Montrose Ave. tunnel. In the final mile, 10 Mile and 5K participants will run up and down Lincoln Park’s landmark Cricket Hill, before an exciting finish on Wilson Track and into the finish!
Miler Markers: Mile markers will be posted at each mile.
Aid Stations: Water and Gatorade Endurance be available at the start, finish and at aid stations along the course. Aid Stations will be located at 2.1 miles, 4.6 miles, 6.7 miles, and 9.2 miles. Medical support will be available at all on-course aid stations.
USATF: Course certification numbers are: 5K = IL18015NM / 10 Mile = L21008NM

10 Mile:

$49 - EARLY MEMBERSHIP PRICE - First 50 CARA Supporter Level Members to register
$60 ($54 - MEMBER) - November 7 through December 30
$70 ($63 - MEMBER) - December 31 through February 10
$80 ($72 - MEMBER) - February 11 through March 24
$90 ($81 - MEMBER) - March 25 through April 11

5K:

$40 ($36 - MEMBER) - November 7 through December 30
$45 ($40 - MEMBER) - December 31 through February 10
$50 ($45 - MEMBER) - February 11 through March 24
$55 ($49.50 - MEMBER) - March 25 through April 11

Registration closes on April 11th at 10:00 p.m.

MEMBER PRICING:

Become a CARA Supporter Level Member to gain access to the Early Membership Price category and receive 10% off all other price tiers. Discount credited automatically with member login on the registration form.

REGISTRATION LINKS

Pick-Up Schedule:

Saturday, April 4, 2026

Fleet Feet South Loop - 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Friday, April 10, 2026

Fleet Feet Lincoln Square - 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday, April 10, 2026

Fleet Feet Elmhurst - 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Fleet Feet Old Town - 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Packet mailing is available during registration for a fee. To add packet mailing after registration, login HERE. Deadline to order is March 27 by 10:00 a.m.

Race Proceeds

Lakefront Hydration Stations

A portion of the proceeds from the Lakefront 10 Miler & 5K go to fund CARA's efforts to provide hydration stations along Chicago's Lakefront.

CARA/Fleet Feet hydration stations are welcoming to all trail users. Stations serve water and Gatorade Endurance during the summer months at eight different stations from Promontory Point on the South Side to Montrose Beach on the North Side. Additional stations are available during the winter and spring at select locations.

The hydration station initiative have incurred over $100,000 in expenses, and your support will keep these stations available.

Event Details

Event Day Schedule

10 Mile & 5K (Both Distances Start Together)

8:50 a.m. - Deadline to report to Start Wave
9:00 a.m. - Start

Travel/Parking

Parking: Free street parking is available within the park on Montrose Ave., Simonds Dr., Lawrence Ave. (except by Dog Beach0 and Foster Ave. Paid parking is available in the Chicago Park District lots at Wilson Dr. and Lakeshore Dr. (Wilson Lot) and at Foster Avenue and Lakeshore Dr. (Foster Beach), and Montrose Harbor Drive.

Public Transit: The following bus lines will get you near the start; 78-Montrose, 81-Lawrence, 145-Wilson/Michigan, and 146-Marine/Michigan. Be sure to check the bus schedule with your desired departure time. The 145 and 146 routes start running later on the weekends. You may also take the Red-Line Train to Wilson and head east about one mile to the start.

Ride Share: Those traveling to the event by ride share should drop off inside the Wilson Lot. Ride share drivers will not be able to turn-around on Wilson Dr.

Bike: Bike racks are available near the start/finish line for participants who choose to ride to the race. Please bring a bike lock. A Divvy station is located immediate adjacent to the start line.

Awards

Awards provided to the top three overall individuals in the male, female, and non-binary categories in both the 10 Miler and 5K. Prize money will also be offered in the 10 Mile in male, female and non-binary categories only as follows:

First: $500
Second: $350
Third: $150

Recognition awards provided to the top three in men's and women's categories in age-groups:

10 Miler: 14 & Under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85 & Over
5K: 19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & Over
Note: Overall award winners will not be awarded in age groups.

An awards ceremony will be held for overall awards winners (top three). Age group awards must be picked up from the Results & Awards tent post-race. Awards will not be mailed.

Refund Policy

Participants must agree that refunds and deferrals will NOT be issued for any reason, including participant injury, illness, personal conflict, and any other issues out of the control of the event, including, but not limited to cancellation due to weather/lightning.

Start Wave Assignments/Procedures

Participants in the 10 Mile & 5K will start together in the same corrals.

Participants are to organize in self-selected start corrals by their expected run/walk pace per mile for their distance (Under 5:00, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, Over 13:00).

Corrals signs with paces will be spaced to allow for the expected number of participants per pace to line up correctly. Participants are encouraged to line up by a pace that accurately reflects their intended average pace for the entire race.

Each corral will be walked to the start line for a controlled mass start. Please remain behind the start corral volunteers for your pace until directed to start.

The Lakefront 10 Miler is part of the 2026 Chicago Racing Circuit. The Circuit provides a competitive structure and recognition for Chicagoland runners and clubs. The Circuit annually honors Chicagoland’s top runners and clubs with Runner of the Year and Club Champion titles. Comprised of various race distances, the Circuit provides all runners - both recreational and competitive - with the opportunity to chase personal, club, and competitive goals.