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Fall Color 5K Run and Walk

Unearth your inner tree champion by taking on the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk.

Content Detail

On Saturday, October 24, run or walk a USATF-certified 5K course that winds through The Morton Arboretum’s wooded East Side, enjoying the crisp autumn air under a canopy of beautiful trees.

Registration for the 2026 Fall Color 5K includes free general admission to the Arboretum on race day to explore 1,700 acres of living collections, natural areas, the award-winning Children’s Garden, and much more.

Highlights

Commemorative Fall Color 5K Run and Walk race apparel is included with registration.

Awards will be given to the top overall male, female, and nonbinary winners and the top three male, female, and nonbinary winners in each age division.

The USATF-certified Fall Color 5K Run and Walk course (IL6002NM) meets USATF standards for distance accuracy.

Registration

Fall Color 5K Run and Walk registration opens on Friday, June 19.

Virtual Participation

Support the Arboretum from afar by completing the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk race distance at a location and date of your choosing.

Registration for the Virtual Fall Color 5K Run and Walk opens on Friday, June 19.

Registration

Fall Color 5K Run and Walk registration opens on Friday, June 19.

Arboretum members enjoy savings on registration for fitness events, special event ticket prices, and more. Access the best pricing for all events and programs at The Morton Arboretum by becoming a member today.

Virtual Participation

Registration for the Virtual Fall Color 5K Run and Walk opens on Friday, June 19.

Support the Arboretum from afar by completing the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk race distance at a location and date of your choosing.

Race Packets

Race packets may be picked up in person free of charge or shipped to a home for an additional fee. Participants in the virtual race will receive their race packets and apparel via mail, free of charge.

Virtual Participation

Support The Morton Arboretum from afar by completing the race distance at a location and date of your choosing!

Registration for the Virtual Fall Color 5K Run and Walk opens on Friday, June 19.

Virtual participants receive a coupon for free general admission to the Arboretum to complete the race distance during the two weeks preceding the race.

Virtual participants receive their race packets and race apparel via mail, free of charge. Each packet includes a race bib, safety pins, and a commemorative T-shirt.

Race results for virtual participants will be recorded in the Arboretum’s RunSignUp platform.

No matter when or where you run, you can support The Morton Arboretum’s vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

Course Map

A course map will be available closer to the race date.

Race Day Information

Accordion List

  • Awards will be given to the top three overall male, female, and nonbinary finishers, as well as the top three male, female, and nonbinary finishers in the following age groups: 14 and under; 15 to 19; 20 to 24; 25 to 29; 30 to 34; 35 to 39; 40 to 44; 45 to 49; 50 to 54; 55 to 59; 60 to 64; 65 to 69; 70 to 74; 75 to 79; 80 and up.

    The top three overall finishers in each age group can pick up their awards at the Awards tent from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

    Overall male, female, and nonbinary winners do not qualify for a medal in their age bracket.

    The top three overall winners in the male, female, and nonbinary categories are determined by gun time. Age division winners are determined by chip time.

  • Children must be registered to participate in the race and receive a T-shirt. There is no separate youth registration fee or youth sizing of T-shirts. Registration is not required for children in strollers.

  • Gear check is available for free to race participants. Gear will be checked according to bib number. The Morton Arboretum is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. Please do not check anything of value.

  • Free parking is available on-site at The Morton Arboretum. Participants must start the race at 8:00 a.m.; early arrival at 7:30 a.m. is strongly recommended. Please allow plenty of time to park and walk from parking areas, which may be a 15 to 20-minute walk from the start line. Carpooling is encouraged.

  • Motorized vehicles, bicycles, roller skates, and pets are prohibited on the race course.

  • Strollers are permitted. Participants pushing strollers must line up behind runners and walkers at the start line. Volunteers will direct participants with strollers where to line up.

  • Large digital clocks will be stationed throughout the course. Finish line times will also be displayed on digital clocks.

  • Granola bars, bananas, and Boxed Water will be provided at the finish line.

  • Portable restrooms will be available near the start line. Restrooms are also available inside the Visitor Center.

  • Do you have athletic shoes that you no longer need? The Morton Arboretum, in partnership with Dick Pond Athletics, will be accepting used athletic shoes for recycling and donating during packet pickup and on-site on race day. Visit the shoe recycling tent near the start/finish line on race day to drop off shoes. All shoes received during packet pickup and race day are donated to the Reuse-A-Shoe Program.

  • Cups of water will be available at the start line and at two stations on the course.

  • The race will take place rain or shine. In the case of an emergency, participants will be notified by 6:00 a.m. on race morning via email with event updates. Notifications will also be posted on the website and The Morton Arboretum’s Facebook page.

Postrace Party

Participants and spectators are invited to attend a postrace party with live music, on-site food trucks, and a complimentary alcoholic beverage. Afterward, feel free to spend the rest of the day at the Arboretum exploring 1,700 acres of living collections, natural areas, the award-winning Children’s Garden, and much more.

Race Apparel

Commemorative race apparel is included with registration. Details will be available closer to the race date.

Race Packet Pickup and Mailing

Free race packet pickup is available at Dick Pond Athletics in Lisle. Each race packet includes a race bib, safety pins, and race apparel.

Virtual participants will receive their race packets and apparel via mail free of charge.

Questions about registering for the 2026 Fall Color 5K? Contact races@mortonarb.org.

Shoe Recycling

Do you have athletic shoes that you no longer need? The Morton Arboretum, in partnership with Dick Pond Athletics, will be accepting used athletic shoes for recycling and donating during packet pickup and on-site on race day. To drop off your pair, visit Dick Pond during packet pickup times (Friday, October 17, through Thursday, October 23) or at the shoe recycling tent near the start/finish line on race day.

The Morton Arboretum partners with the Reuse-A-Shoe Program to collect and distribute used athletic shoes.

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