The Morton Arboretum Get tickets
Events

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 tree and plant collections, restored 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

Early registration for the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk is now open! Registration must be completed online through RunSignUp.

The earlier you register, the more you save. Early registration rates are available through Sunday, July 12; regular rates apply through Friday, October 23; race day rates begin at 12:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24.

Please note that your Arboretum member discount will be applied after inputting your membership ID during online registration.

Early Registration
Tuesday, June 23–Monday, July 13
Registration cost: $55
Member registration cost: $45

Early registration closes at 8:59 a.m. on Monday, July 13.

Registration
Monday, July 13–Friday, October 23
Registration cost: $60
Member registration cost: $50

Regular registration opens at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, July 13, and closes at 11:59 p.m. Friday, October 23.

Race Day Registration
Saturday, October 24
Registration cost: $65
Member registration cost: $55

Race day registration is open after 12:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, while spots are available.

An additional $10 race day packet pick-up fee will be automatically applied.

Virtual Participation

Support the Arboretum’s vision, no matter when or where you run, by participating virtually in the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk.

 

Supported in-kind by

Registration

Early registration for the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk is now open! Registration must be completed online through RunSignUp.

The earlier you register, the more you save. Early registration rates are available through Sunday, July 12; regular rates apply through Friday, October 23; race day rates begin at 12:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24.

Please note that your member discount will be applied after inputting your member ID during online registration.

Early Registration
Tuesday, June 23–Monday, July 13
Registration cost: $55
Member registration cost: $45

Early registration closes at 8:59 a.m. on Monday, July 13.

Registration
Monday, July 13–Friday, October 23
Registration cost: $60
Member registration cost: $50

Regular registration opens at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, July 13, and closes at 11:59 p.m. Friday, October 23.

Race Day Registration
Saturday, October 24
Registration cost: $65
Member registration cost: $55

Race day registration is open after 12:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, while spots are available.

An additional $10 race day packet pick-up fee will be automatically applied.

Virtual Participation

Support the Arboretum’s vision, no matter when or where you run, by participating virtually in the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk.

Early registration for the Virtual Fall Color 5K Run and Walk is now open! Registration must be completed online through RunSignUp.

Early Virtual Fall Color 5K Run and Walk Registration
Tuesday, June 23–Monday, July 13
Registration cost: $40
Member registration cost: $30

Early registration for the Virtual Fall Color 5K Run and Walk closes on Monday, July 13, at 8:59 a.m.

Virtual Fall Color 5K Run and Walk Registration
Monday, July 13–Tuesday, October 13
Registration cost: $45
Member registration cost: $35

Registration for the Virtual Fall Color 5K Run and Walk opens at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, July 13, and closes at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13.

Virtual Participation

Support the Arboretum’s vision, no matter when or where you run, by participating virtually in the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk.

Registration

Early registration for the Virtual Fall Color 5K Run and Walk is now open! Registration must be completed online through RunSignUp.

Early Virtual Fall Color 5K Run and Walk Registration
Tuesday, June 23–Monday, July 13
Registration cost: $40
Member registration cost: $30

Early registration for the Virtual Fall Color 5K Run and Walk closes on Monday, July 13, at 8:59 a.m.

Virtual Fall Color 5K Run and Walk Registration
Monday, July 13–Tuesday, October 13
Registration cost: $45
Member registration cost: $35

Registration for the Virtual Fall Color 5K Run and Walk opens at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, July 13, and closes at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13.

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.

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.

Participants may opt out of receiving commemorative race apparel and dedicate their full registration cost to the Arboretum’s vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

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.

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.

  • Spectators can cheer on friends and family at the start/finish line. Spectators receive free entry if they arrive prior to 9:00 a.m. Spectators arriving after 9:00 a.m. will need to purchase Arboretum general admission.

  • 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.

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 16, through Thursday, October 22) 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.

Explore More

1

Become a Member

When a trip to the Arboretum inspires you to explore more, become a member to visit again and again.

Join now