Galena 5k Stair Challenge
- Date Sat 12th September 2026
- Time 9:00AM CDT
- Location Galena, Illinois
- Price $38.99 - $53.99
- Races 3 races
- Distances 5km
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of fitness and community spirit at the Galena 5K Stair Challenge on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in the picturesque town of Galena, Jo Daviess. This unique event not only offers a fun and challenging 7-lap stair race for competitive runners but also features a non-competitive 1-lap fun run/walk perfect for families and participants of all ages. Join us as we honor the heroes of 9/11 on its 25th anniversary and celebrate our local first responders, both past and present, with exciting demonstrations and community activities.
The race kicks off at 9:00 a.m. for the 1-lap fun run/walk, followed by the competitive 7-lap stair challenge at 9:15 a.m. Participants can enjoy the thrill of chip-timed racing while also raising funds to support Galena-based first responders. With a maximum of 200 athletes for the competitive race and no limit for the fun run, everyone is invited to take part in this inspiring event. Come out for a day of fitness, fun, and community connection, and don’t forget to grab some delicious food from local vendors at Green Street Plaza!
The race kicks off at 9:00 a.m. for the 1-lap fun run/walk, followed by the competitive 7-lap stair challenge at 9:15 a.m. Participants can enjoy the thrill of chip-timed racing while also raising funds to support Galena-based first responders. With a maximum of 200 athletes for the competitive race and no limit for the fun run, everyone is invited to take part in this inspiring event. Come out for a day of fitness, fun, and community connection, and don’t forget to grab some delicious food from local vendors at Green Street Plaza!
Organiser's Description
JOIN US IN BEAUTIFUL, HISTORIC GALENA IL FOR THE GALENA 5K STAIR CHALLENGE! 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 ON THE _25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS TRAGIC EVENT _AND CELEBRATES OUR LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS PAST AND PRESENT
BRING THE FAMILY! THE GALENA GENERALS, JO DAVIESS COUNTY MOUNTED PATROL, AREA FIRST RESPONDER DEMONSTRATIONS, FOOD AND TREAT VENDORS WILL JOIN US AT GREEN STREET PLAZA DURING AND AFTER THE EVENT.
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
* Start time 9:00 a.m.
* Fee: _NEW! APRIL EARLY BIRD $30_, May $35, June and July $40, August to event $40 (t-shirt and medal included!)
* Race Day in person registration closes at 9:00 am
* Mass start; not timed
5K 7-LAP STAIR CHALLENGE RACE AND ACTIVE DUTY FIRST RESPONDERS
* Start time 9:15 a.m.
* Fee: _NEW! APRIL EARLY BIRD_ $30 for Active First Responders and 7-Lap Runners (includes T-shirt and medal!)
* May $35, for Active First Responders and 7-Lap Runners
* June to Event $45 for 7-Lap Runners
* Race Day in person registration closes at 9:00 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
FUNDRAISER 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!
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 MARCH 20, 2026
Maximum of 200 timed participants (no limit to fun run/walk participants)
Registrations will CLOSE when race filled or at midnight on September 11, whichever comes first
REGISTRATIONS AFTER AUGUST 23, 2026 WILL NOT BE GUARANTEED A T-SHIRT
EVENT STAGING AREAS:
Green Street Plaza near City Hall and Post Office/Custom House
PACKET PICKUP:
_NEW!_ Friday, September 11, 2026 from 4pm to 7pm at the Galena Area Emergency Medical Services District Station, 217 Summit Street, Galena, Illinois.
Saturday morning Green Street Plaza and the Post Office/Custom House from 8:00 am to 9:00 a.m.
- 8:15 a.m. Saturday: Opening Ceremony
- Closing and Medal Ceremony following race at Green Street Square
- Award Ceremony at race conclusion
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 ON THE _25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS TRAGIC EVENT _AND CELEBRATES OUR LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS PAST AND PRESENT
BRING THE FAMILY! THE GALENA GENERALS, JO DAVIESS COUNTY MOUNTED PATROL, AREA FIRST RESPONDER DEMONSTRATIONS, FOOD AND TREAT VENDORS WILL JOIN US AT GREEN STREET PLAZA DURING AND AFTER THE EVENT.
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
* Start time 9:00 a.m.
* Fee: _NEW! APRIL EARLY BIRD $30_, May $35, June and July $40, August to event $40 (t-shirt and medal included!)
* Race Day in person registration closes at 9:00 am
* Mass start; not timed
5K 7-LAP STAIR CHALLENGE RACE AND ACTIVE DUTY FIRST RESPONDERS
* Start time 9:15 a.m.
* Fee: _NEW! APRIL EARLY BIRD_ $30 for Active First Responders and 7-Lap Runners (includes T-shirt and medal!)
* May $35, for Active First Responders and 7-Lap Runners
* June to Event $45 for 7-Lap Runners
* Race Day in person registration closes at 9:00 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
FUNDRAISER 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!
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 MARCH 20, 2026
Maximum of 200 timed participants (no limit to fun run/walk participants)
Registrations will CLOSE when race filled or at midnight on September 11, whichever comes first
REGISTRATIONS AFTER AUGUST 23, 2026 WILL NOT BE GUARANTEED A T-SHIRT
EVENT STAGING AREAS:
Green Street Plaza near City Hall and Post Office/Custom House
PACKET PICKUP:
_NEW!_ Friday, September 11, 2026 from 4pm to 7pm at the Galena Area Emergency Medical Services District Station, 217 Summit Street, Galena, Illinois.
Saturday morning Green Street Plaza and the Post Office/Custom House from 8:00 am to 9:00 a.m.
- 8:15 a.m. Saturday: Opening Ceremony
- Closing and Medal Ceremony following race at Green Street Square
- Award Ceremony at race conclusion
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. $3.99 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 12th September 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
$43.99
1 Lap Fun Run/Walk participants will receive a t-shirt and participation medal if registered prior to Aug 23, 2026! -
5K 7-Lap Stair Challenge Race
Incl. $3.99 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 12th September 2026 (9:15AM CDT)
$53.99
5K-7Lap Stair Climbers will receive a t-shirt and medal if registered prior to 08/23/2026! -
5K Stair Challenge Active Duty First Responders
Incl. $3.99 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 12th September 2026 (9:15AM CDT)
$38.99
All 5K Stair Challenge Active Duty First Responders Stair Climbers will receive a t-shirt and medal is registered prior to 08/23/2026!
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Green Street Plaza, Galena, Illinois, Bench Street, Galena, 61036, IL, United States
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Galena 5k Stair Challenge
