Veterans 5K Run & Walk presented by ELDRIDGE ROOFING
- Date Sat 8th November 2025
- Time 7:00AM CST
- Location Rockford, Illinois
- Price Free - $36.55
- Races 5 races
- Distances 5km
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Join us for the 13th Annual Veterans 5K Run & Walk on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in the beautiful city of Rockford, Winnebago! This vibrant event is set to take place at Mercy Health SportsCore-One, Veterans Memorial Park, featuring a stunning course that winds through the picturesque Winnebago Forest Preserve, completing a scenic loop around the pond.
This year, participants can choose between a traditional 5K run/walk or the exciting 5K Ruck division, where you'll carry a rucksack for the entire distance. With registration priced at just $35 for adults and $15 for children 17 and under, it's an affordable way to support the Veterans Drop-In Center. Plus, participants can earn unique dog tag awards and compete for cash prizes in various categories. Don't miss out on this opportunity to honor our veterans while enjoying a fun and active day outdoors! Be sure to register before October 19, 2025, to guarantee your event shirt. Lace-up your running shoes and be part of this uplifting community event!
This year, participants can choose between a traditional 5K run/walk or the exciting 5K Ruck division, where you'll carry a rucksack for the entire distance. With registration priced at just $35 for adults and $15 for children 17 and under, it's an affordable way to support the Veterans Drop-In Center. Plus, participants can earn unique dog tag awards and compete for cash prizes in various categories. Don't miss out on this opportunity to honor our veterans while enjoying a fun and active day outdoors! Be sure to register before October 19, 2025, to guarantee your event shirt. Lace-up your running shoes and be part of this uplifting community event!
Organiser's Description
5K RUN & WALK:
A 5K Run/Walk to Benefit the Veterans Drop-In Center in Rockford, IL. This is our 13th annual run and will, again, be held at Mercy Health SportsCore-One, Veterans Memorial Park! The run is on a beautiful course now running over to the Winnebago Forest Preserve and doing a loop around the pond. This run is USATF certified (IL19039NM) and is a 2024 RRR Circuit Race. See more information about the RRR Circuit at www.rockfordroadrunners.org [https://www.rockfordroadrunners.org]
5K RUCK DIVISION:
This is a 5k Ruck. This event starts at the same time as the 5k. It requires the participant to carry a rucksack (aka. backpack) for the entire 5k distance.
If you weigh > 150 lbs = your Ruck should weigh 20 lb.
If you weigh < 150 lbs = your Ruck should weigh 10 lb.
There are no age group awards for the 5k Ruck - only 1st overall male & Female.
REGISTRATION PRICING:
$35 per participant, $15 for children 17 and under
Discount of $3 for RRR (does not include children 17 and under).
Online registration closes on Friday, 11-7-2025 at midnight
No inline skates or dogs please!
Shirts are guaranteed only if registered by 10-19-2025. SHIRTS WILL NOT BE A GUARANTEE AFTER 10-19-2025.
Our cool dog tag awards are given to the top male and female winners, along with the top 3 male and female winners in each of the following age categories:
0-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 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+
****HIERARCHY OF AWARDS: ONE AWARD GIVEN PER PERSON.
$100 - Overall male and female
$50 - Overall male and female veterans
$50 - Overall male and female masters (50+)
Veteran Branches - Male and Female
Age groups - 1st, 2nd, 3rd in each age group.
**Note - per IHSA rules, a high school athlete that is currently in or may be running sports may jeopardize their eligibility and/or scholarship opportunities by accepting the cash awards, and therefore, will not be allowed to accept the cash prizes. They are, however, still eligible to win the overall title and the dog tag medals.
Timing provided by Tri-3 Sports Timing.
See below for our unique "wall" shirt opportunity! And our awesome sponsors! Please patronize these veteran supporting businesses! Especially our main sponsor, Eldridge Roofing! http://www.eldridgeroofing.com
A 5K Run/Walk to Benefit the Veterans Drop-In Center in Rockford, IL. This is our 13th annual run and will, again, be held at Mercy Health SportsCore-One, Veterans Memorial Park! The run is on a beautiful course now running over to the Winnebago Forest Preserve and doing a loop around the pond. This run is USATF certified (IL19039NM) and is a 2024 RRR Circuit Race. See more information about the RRR Circuit at www.rockfordroadrunners.org [https://www.rockfordroadrunners.org]
5K RUCK DIVISION:
This is a 5k Ruck. This event starts at the same time as the 5k. It requires the participant to carry a rucksack (aka. backpack) for the entire 5k distance.
If you weigh > 150 lbs = your Ruck should weigh 20 lb.
If you weigh < 150 lbs = your Ruck should weigh 10 lb.
There are no age group awards for the 5k Ruck - only 1st overall male & Female.
REGISTRATION PRICING:
$35 per participant, $15 for children 17 and under
Discount of $3 for RRR (does not include children 17 and under).
Online registration closes on Friday, 11-7-2025 at midnight
No inline skates or dogs please!
Shirts are guaranteed only if registered by 10-19-2025. SHIRTS WILL NOT BE A GUARANTEE AFTER 10-19-2025.
Our cool dog tag awards are given to the top male and female winners, along with the top 3 male and female winners in each of the following age categories:
0-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 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+
****HIERARCHY OF AWARDS: ONE AWARD GIVEN PER PERSON.
$100 - Overall male and female
$50 - Overall male and female veterans
$50 - Overall male and female masters (50+)
Veteran Branches - Male and Female
Age groups - 1st, 2nd, 3rd in each age group.
**Note - per IHSA rules, a high school athlete that is currently in or may be running sports may jeopardize their eligibility and/or scholarship opportunities by accepting the cash awards, and therefore, will not be allowed to accept the cash prizes. They are, however, still eligible to win the overall title and the dog tag medals.
Timing provided by Tri-3 Sports Timing.
See below for our unique "wall" shirt opportunity! And our awesome sponsors! Please patronize these veteran supporting businesses! Especially our main sponsor, Eldridge Roofing! http://www.eldridgeroofing.com
Races
-
Veterans 5K Run & Walk
Incl. $1.55 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 8th November 2025 (10:00AM CST)
$36.55
-
Veterans 5k Ruck
Incl. $1.55 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 8th November 2025 (10:00AM CST)
$36.55
This is a 5k Ruck. It requires the participant to carry a rucksack (aka. backpack) for the entire 5k distance. If you weigh > 150 lbs = your Ruck should weigh 20 lb. If you weigh < 150 lbs = your Ruck should weigh 10 lb. -
Kids 5K (Children 17 and Under)
Incl. $0.95 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 8th November 2025 (10:00AM CST)
$15.95
For Kids 17 and Under Special Pricing -
Kids Fun Run - Free for Kids 10 & Under
Sat 8th November 2025 (9:30AM CST)
Free
This is a 1/4 mile fun run for kids ages 10 & under. Each child will receive a goody bag and bib. Please register for this event. Report to the Start line at 8:15 a.m. -
Volunteer
Sat 8th November 2025 (7:00AM CST)
Free
We are grateful for generosity of volunteers lending a hand to make this event a success. If you would like to assist us please signup, there is no cost, we will contact you to see where you can help out.
Reviews
Done this event?
First-hand event reviews from people who have been there, done that and got the breathable T-shirt, really help everyone choose their next event.
Add a reviewLocation
1288 Elmwood Road, Rockford, 61103, IL, United States
Who's In
See who else is doing this event
Be the first
No-one has marked this event as 'Doing' or 'Maybe' yet. Will you be the first?
Veterans 5K Run & Walk presented by ELDRIDGE ROOFING
