Fall Color 5K Run and Walk

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

On Saturday, October 26, at 8:00 a.m., run or walk a 5K course that winds through the Arboretum’s wooded East Side, enjoying the crisp autumn air under a canopy of beautiful trees. After the race, attend a postrace party with live music, food trucks, and a complimentary beverage.

Event Highlights

Participate virtually by completing the race distance from any location
Receive a commemorative branded T-shirt
Free admission on race day to explore 1,700 acres, including the award-winning Children’s Garden
Awards for the top overall male, female, and nonbinary winners
Awards for the top three male, female, and nonbinary winners in each age division
USATF Certified Course (IL6002NM)

Registration Details

All race participants must register online in advance of race day.

Participants in the on-site race can register early and save on the cost of registration. Costs are lowest from Thursday, August 1 through Tuesday, September 17; prices will rise on Wednesday, September 18, and again on Friday, October 25.

Thursday, August 1 through Tuesday, September 17
Cost: $55
Member cost: $45

Wednesday, September 18 through Thursday, October 24
Cost: $60
Member cost: $50

Friday, October 25
Cost: $70
Member cost: $60

Virtual 5K Registration

Participate in the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk virtually by completing the race distance at any location and date.

Registration costs for virtual 5K participants remain the same throughout the registration period.

Cost: $45
Member cost: $35

Postrace Party

Participants and spectators are invited to attend a postrace party with live music, food, and a complimentary alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverage, and then spend the rest of the day exploring the Arboretum.

Fall Color Festival

The Fall Color 5K Run and Walk wraps up the Fall Color Festival, a series of one-of-a-kind seasonal events at The Morton Arboretum.

Registration Details

All race participants must register online in advance of race day.

Thursday, August 1 through Tuesday, September 17
Cost: $55
Member cost: $45

Wednesday, September 18 through Thursday, October 24
Cost: $60
Member cost: $50

Friday, October 25
Cost: $70
Member cost: $60

Virtual 5K Registration

Participate in the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk virtually by completing the race distance at any location and date.

Registration costs for virtual 5K participants remain the same throughout the registration period.

Cost: $45
Member cost: $35

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

Virtual 5K

Participate in the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk virtually by completing the race distance at any location and date.

Virtual participants may also complete their distances on-site during the two weeks preceding the race. During this period, virtual runners will enjoy free admission to the Arboretum and may complete the distance on the 5K course.

Event Highlights

Free general admission ticket to the Arboretum to complete the race distance during the week preceding the race
Commemorative branded T-shirt included with registration
Receive race packet and race apparel by mail, free of charge

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

No matter when or where you run, you will be supporting the Arboretum’s vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

Race Packet Pickup and Mailing

Each race packet includes a Chronotrack race bib, safety pins, and race apparel.

Free packet pickup in advance of race day is available at Dick Pond Athletics in Lisle. Dick Pond Athletics is located at 2775 Maple Ave, Lisle, IL. Packet pickup will be available during Dick Pond Athletic store hours from Friday, October 18, through 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25.

For an additional fee, participants in the on-site race can choose to receive their race packet by mail or retrieve it in person on race day.

Participants in the virtual race will receive their race packets and apparel via mail, free of charge.

Questions about registering for the 2024 Fall Color 5K? Contact races@mortonarb.org.

Awards

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

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

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.

Gear check will take place from 7:00 to 9:30 a.m. on the Sycamore Room patio, near the Visitor Center.
Parking

Free parking is available on-site at The Morton Arboretum. Please allow plenty of time to park and walk from parking areas. Participants are encouraged to carpool.
Prohibited

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

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.

Spectators are welcome to join participants at the postrace party and can enjoy the Arboretum grounds after the race.
Strollers

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.
Timing Clocks

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

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

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

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

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. Visit Dick Pond during packet pickup times before the race or the shoe recycling tent near the start/finish line on race day to drop off your pair.

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