✨Sparkle to the Bridge 5K✨
- Date Sun 2nd November 2025
- Time 8:00AM CST
- Location Patoka, Illinois
- Price $33.30
- Races 1 race
- Distances 5km
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Event summary
Join us for an unforgettable experience at the first annual Sparkle to the Bridge 5K on Sunday, November 2, 2025, in the charming town of Patoka, Marion! This exciting event, organized by Nora's Sparkle of Love Project, invites you to grab a friend, lace up your sneakers, and embrace the beauty of a crisp fall morning while supporting a noble cause. The fun begins with a scenic hayride from Cox's River Bridge to the start line at the boat dock, followed by the 5K race kicking off promptly at 8:00 a.m.
Participants will enjoy a picturesque route through the heart of rural Patoka, featuring stunning landscapes, rolling pastures, friendly farm animals, and vibrant autumn foliage, all with views of Carlyle Lake and the historic Kaskaskia River. Cross the finish line at the River Bridge where music, delicious donuts, and refreshments await, along with an awards ceremony and fun photo ops with Heart Lover the unicorn! After the race, join the community at Patoka Christian Church for a worship service at 10:30 a.m., followed by a chili lunch fundraiser. Proceeds from this event will benefit pediatric brain tumor research and support children and families battling childhood
Participants will enjoy a picturesque route through the heart of rural Patoka, featuring stunning landscapes, rolling pastures, friendly farm animals, and vibrant autumn foliage, all with views of Carlyle Lake and the historic Kaskaskia River. Cross the finish line at the River Bridge where music, delicious donuts, and refreshments await, along with an awards ceremony and fun photo ops with Heart Lover the unicorn! After the race, join the community at Patoka Christian Church for a worship service at 10:30 a.m., followed by a chili lunch fundraiser. Proceeds from this event will benefit pediatric brain tumor research and support children and families battling childhood
Organiser's Description
_Grab a friend, lace up your sneakers and join Nora's Sparkle of Love Project for our first annual SPARKLESSPARKLE TO THE BRIDGE 5KSPARKLES in Patoka, IL!_
What better way to spend a crisp, fall morning than outdoors, sharing in community, moving your body and spreading Nora's _SPARKLE_.
The events kick off on Sunday, November 2 with a hayride from Cox's River Bridge to the start line at the boat dock. From there, the 5K will start promptly at 8:00 a.m., winding through the heart of rural Patoka's Pope Township past picturesque landscapes, rolling pastures, friendly farm animals and vibrant fall foliage, with views of Carlyle Lake and the historic Kaskaskia River. Runners will cross the finish line at the River Bridge, where music, donuts and refreshments await. Plus, there will be an awards ceremony and photo ops with none other than Heart Lover the unicorn!
Participants are also invited in to town to Patoka Christian Church for a post-run worship. The service starts at 10:30 a.m. and will be followed with a chili lunch fundraiser.
Proceeds from this event benefit sparklesNora's Sparkle of Love Project [https://www.norassparkleofloveproject.com/]sparkles, a nonprofit that funds pediatric brain tumor research and supports kids like Nora who are battling childhood cancer. Every step you take will aid these children and their families as they travel a much harder road.
It's sure to be a great day for an even greater cause. So sign on up, today!
Run for a reason. _Sparkle for Nora._
_FEMALE SIGNRACE DAY:_ Sunday, November 2, 2025
_CHECK-IN LOCATION: _ Cox River Bridge Access, northwest of Patoka, IL on Kaskaskia River (see attached map)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yzJrFVYAQcnaFMuk9
_RACE START:_ 8:00 am
_CHECK IN: _ No later than 7:45
_START:_ Boat Dock _FINISH: _ Coxs River Bridge
_TRANSPORTATION TO START LINE__: _ Park at the River Bridge and relax as the hayride delivers you to the starting line at the Boat Dock. Well provide full details as race day approaches!
_POST-RACE: _Celebrate at the finish with music, awards, donuts and refreshments. Grab a high-five and photo with Heart Lover the unicorn!
latin cross Head in to town after the race for a 10:30 AM community worship service at Patoka Christian Church, followed by a chili lunch fundraiser.
_PACKET PICKUP_: Packet pickup dates/times will be posted closer to race day!
All proceeds support Nora's Sparkle of Love Project [https://www.norassparkleofloveproject.com/], helping families affected by DIPG and other childhood cancers.
Medals will be awarded to all participants!
Additional awards will be given to top finishers in various age categories.
All participants who register by October 20 will receive a race T-shirt! T-shirts will also be available to order separately for those not participating in the race.
What better way to spend a crisp, fall morning than outdoors, sharing in community, moving your body and spreading Nora's _SPARKLE_.
The events kick off on Sunday, November 2 with a hayride from Cox's River Bridge to the start line at the boat dock. From there, the 5K will start promptly at 8:00 a.m., winding through the heart of rural Patoka's Pope Township past picturesque landscapes, rolling pastures, friendly farm animals and vibrant fall foliage, with views of Carlyle Lake and the historic Kaskaskia River. Runners will cross the finish line at the River Bridge, where music, donuts and refreshments await. Plus, there will be an awards ceremony and photo ops with none other than Heart Lover the unicorn!
Participants are also invited in to town to Patoka Christian Church for a post-run worship. The service starts at 10:30 a.m. and will be followed with a chili lunch fundraiser.
Proceeds from this event benefit sparklesNora's Sparkle of Love Project [https://www.norassparkleofloveproject.com/]sparkles, a nonprofit that funds pediatric brain tumor research and supports kids like Nora who are battling childhood cancer. Every step you take will aid these children and their families as they travel a much harder road.
It's sure to be a great day for an even greater cause. So sign on up, today!
Run for a reason. _Sparkle for Nora._
_FEMALE SIGNRACE DAY:_ Sunday, November 2, 2025
_CHECK-IN LOCATION: _ Cox River Bridge Access, northwest of Patoka, IL on Kaskaskia River (see attached map)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yzJrFVYAQcnaFMuk9
_RACE START:_ 8:00 am
_CHECK IN: _ No later than 7:45
_START:_ Boat Dock _FINISH: _ Coxs River Bridge
_TRANSPORTATION TO START LINE__: _ Park at the River Bridge and relax as the hayride delivers you to the starting line at the Boat Dock. Well provide full details as race day approaches!
_POST-RACE: _Celebrate at the finish with music, awards, donuts and refreshments. Grab a high-five and photo with Heart Lover the unicorn!
latin cross Head in to town after the race for a 10:30 AM community worship service at Patoka Christian Church, followed by a chili lunch fundraiser.
_PACKET PICKUP_: Packet pickup dates/times will be posted closer to race day!
All proceeds support Nora's Sparkle of Love Project [https://www.norassparkleofloveproject.com/], helping families affected by DIPG and other childhood cancers.
Medals will be awarded to all participants!
Additional awards will be given to top finishers in various age categories.
All participants who register by October 20 will receive a race T-shirt! T-shirts will also be available to order separately for those not participating in the race.
Races
-
Sparkle to the Bridge 5K
Incl. $3.30 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 2nd November 2025 (8:00AM CST)
$33.30
military medal Medals will be awarded to all participants! trophy Additional awards will be given to top finishers in various age categories. t-shirt All participants who register by October 20 will receive a race T-shirt! T-shirts will also be available to order separately for those not participating in the race.
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✨Sparkle to the Bridge 5K✨
