Galena 5k Stair Challenge
- Date Sat 12th September 2026
- Time 9:00AM CDT
- Location Galena, Illinois
- Price $33.49 - $38.99
- Races 3 races
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Get ready for an exciting day of fitness and community spirit at the Galena 5K Stair Challenge on Saturday, September 12, 2026! Taking place in the picturesque town of Galena, Jo Daviess, this unique event pays tribute to the heroes of 9/11 and honors our local first responders, both past and present. Participants can choose from a non-competitive fun run/walk featuring a single lap, or for those seeking a challenge, the competitive 7-lap stair race, which will be professionally timed and divided by age and gender categories.
The fun kicks off at 9:00 a.m. with the one-lap run/walk, where participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite heroes, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with camaraderie and support. The 7-lap challenge starts at 9:15 a.m., with a maximum of 200 timed athletes accepted. Registration is online only, so be sure to secure your spot early! Each entry includes an event t-shirt, refreshments, and an opportunity to compete for special fundraising prizes. Join in on the fun, support a great cause, and experience the thrill of conquering the stairs while celebrating community heroes!
The fun kicks off at 9:00 a.m. with the one-lap run/walk, where participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite heroes, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with camaraderie and support. The 7-lap challenge starts at 9:15 a.m., with a maximum of 200 timed athletes accepted. Registration is online only, so be sure to secure your spot early! Each entry includes an event t-shirt, refreshments, and an opportunity to compete for special fundraising prizes. Join in on the fun, support a great cause, and experience the thrill of conquering the stairs while celebrating community heroes!
Organiser's Description
THE GALENA 5K STAIR CHALLENGE IS NOW HOSTED BY THE GALENA AREA EMS DISTRICT, THE GALENA POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE GALENA FIRE DEPARTMENT
THIS EVENT HONORS THE HEROES OF 9/11 AND OUR LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS PAST AND PRESENT.
Non competitive run/walk/climb-1Lap
Competitive 7 Lap professionally timed with various divisions by age and gender.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS ONLINE ONLY!
1-LAP FUN RUN/WALK (DRESS AS YOUR FAVORITE HERO!)
* Start time 9:00 a.m.
* Fee: $30 (covers event T-shirt, water, refreshments)
* Race Day in person registration closes at 7:00 am
* Mass start; not timed
5K 7-LAP STAIR CHALLENGE RACE AND ACTIVE DUTY FIRST RESPONDERS
* Start time 9:15 a.m.
* Fee: $35; $30 for active-duty first responders (covers event T-shirt, water, refreshments)
* Race Day in person registration closes at 7:00 am
* Maximum of 200 athletes accepted
* Chip timing
Waves will be formed (first five registered, first wave; next five registered, second wave, etc.). Waves will start every minute. Participants will be notified of their wave start time via email prior to the race date.
Course closes at 12:00 noon
TEAM CHALLENGE
The top three individual fundraisers will receive special prizes!
PLEDGE CHALLENGE
All participants are encouraged to raise at least $50 in donations to support Galena-based first responders.
Share your unique URL to family and friends and invite them to donate to your registration or team.
The top three individual fundraisers will receive special prizes!
Submit pledge sheet(s) and money at Packet Pickup to be eligible for fundraiser prizes
EVENT T-SHIRT SIZES (PERFORMANCE FABRIC)
Youth: small, medium, large
Adult: small, medium, large, extra-large, 1X, 2X
Age Groups (Male and Female)
14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
RACE REGISTRATION WILL BE ONLINE ONLY BEGINNING MAY 5, 2025
Maximum of 200 timed participants (no limit to fun run/walk participants)
Registrations will CLOSE when race filled or at midnight on September 12, whichever comes first
REGISTRATIONS AFTER AUGUST 22, 2025 WILL NOT BE GUARANTEED A T-SHIRT
EVENT STAGING AREAS:
Green Street Plaza near City Hall and Post Office/Custom House
PACKET PICKUP:
Friday at the DeSoto House Hotel from 4 to 6 p.m. OR
Saturday morning Green Street Plaza and the Post Office/Custom House from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.
- 8:15 a.m. Saturday: Opening Ceremony
- Finishers Refreshment area
- Award Ceremony at 11:45 a.m.
Starting Line at Bench Street staging area
Volunteers will queue waves here in numerical order after escorting them from Green Street Plaza
Lap Notification/Finish Line on Bench Street
Bib numbers will trigger a visual record of each participants lap number.
Lap 7 finishers recovery area with water
THIS EVENT HONORS THE HEROES OF 9/11 AND OUR LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS PAST AND PRESENT.
Non competitive run/walk/climb-1Lap
Competitive 7 Lap professionally timed with various divisions by age and gender.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS ONLINE ONLY!
1-LAP FUN RUN/WALK (DRESS AS YOUR FAVORITE HERO!)
* Start time 9:00 a.m.
* Fee: $30 (covers event T-shirt, water, refreshments)
* Race Day in person registration closes at 7:00 am
* Mass start; not timed
5K 7-LAP STAIR CHALLENGE RACE AND ACTIVE DUTY FIRST RESPONDERS
* Start time 9:15 a.m.
* Fee: $35; $30 for active-duty first responders (covers event T-shirt, water, refreshments)
* Race Day in person registration closes at 7:00 am
* Maximum of 200 athletes accepted
* Chip timing
Waves will be formed (first five registered, first wave; next five registered, second wave, etc.). Waves will start every minute. Participants will be notified of their wave start time via email prior to the race date.
Course closes at 12:00 noon
TEAM CHALLENGE
The top three individual fundraisers will receive special prizes!
PLEDGE CHALLENGE
All participants are encouraged to raise at least $50 in donations to support Galena-based first responders.
Share your unique URL to family and friends and invite them to donate to your registration or team.
The top three individual fundraisers will receive special prizes!
Submit pledge sheet(s) and money at Packet Pickup to be eligible for fundraiser prizes
EVENT T-SHIRT SIZES (PERFORMANCE FABRIC)
Youth: small, medium, large
Adult: small, medium, large, extra-large, 1X, 2X
Age Groups (Male and Female)
14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
RACE REGISTRATION WILL BE ONLINE ONLY BEGINNING MAY 5, 2025
Maximum of 200 timed participants (no limit to fun run/walk participants)
Registrations will CLOSE when race filled or at midnight on September 12, whichever comes first
REGISTRATIONS AFTER AUGUST 22, 2025 WILL NOT BE GUARANTEED A T-SHIRT
EVENT STAGING AREAS:
Green Street Plaza near City Hall and Post Office/Custom House
PACKET PICKUP:
Friday at the DeSoto House Hotel from 4 to 6 p.m. OR
Saturday morning Green Street Plaza and the Post Office/Custom House from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.
- 8:15 a.m. Saturday: Opening Ceremony
- Finishers Refreshment area
- Award Ceremony at 11:45 a.m.
Starting Line at Bench Street staging area
Volunteers will queue waves here in numerical order after escorting them from Green Street Plaza
Lap Notification/Finish Line on Bench Street
Bib numbers will trigger a visual record of each participants lap number.
Lap 7 finishers recovery area with water
Races
-
1 Lap Fun Run/Walk
Incl. $3.49 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 12th September 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
$33.49
OPENS 30 APRDress up as your favorite HERO! -
5K 7-Lap Stair Challenge Race
Incl. $3.99 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 12th September 2026 (9:15AM CDT)
$38.99
OPENS 30 APRDress up as your favorite HERO! -
5K Stair Challenge Active Duty First Responders
Incl. $3.49 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 12th September 2026 (9:15AM CDT)
$33.49
OPENS 30 APRDress up as your favorite HERO!
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Green Street Plaza, Galena, Illinois, 211 S. Bench Street, Galena, 61036, IL, United States
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Galena 5k Stair Challenge
