Events

Firefly 3K Fun Run

Bring the whole family for a festive sunset run at The Morton Arboretum.

Content Detail

Kicking off at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19, the Firefly 3K Fun Run offers a fitness challenge for the whole family and stunning sunset views at The Morton Arboretum.

The course will follow the main paved road on the Arboretum’s East Side, moving through the Arboretum’s tree and plant collections, and down Frost Hill. The course is relatively flat and well-suited for runners, walkers, and wheelchair users of all experience levels.

Highlights

Registration includes an evening postrace party with a live DJ, a disco ball, and refreshments.

All Firefly 3K Fun Run participants receive branded race apparel.

Support the Arboretum’s vision, no matter when or where you run. Register as a virtual participant to complete the course distance at a location of your choosing.

Attend the race as a spectator to cheer on friends and family! Spectator admission also includes access to the postrace party.

Registration

Firefly 3K Fun Run registration opens on Tuesday, April 21.

Registration must be completed online through RunSignUp.

The earlier you register, the more you save! Early registration rates for adults and children are available through Saturday, May 16; regular rates apply through Thursday, June 18; race day rates begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19.

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

Early Registration
Tuesday, April 21–Saturday, May 16
Adult (12 and older): $40
Member adult (12 and older): $30
Child (4 through 11): $30
Member child (4 through 11): $20

Early registration opens at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.

Registration
Sunday, May 17–Thursday, June 18
Adult (12 and older): $45
Member adult (12 and older): $35
Child (4 through 11): $35
Member child (4 through 11): $25

Regular registration opens at 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, and closes at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 18.

Race Day Registration
Friday, June 19
Adult (12 and older): $50
Member adult (12 and older): $40
Child (4 through 11): $25
Member child (4 through 11): $25

Race day registration is open after 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19.

Virtual Participation

Support the Arboretum’s vision, no matter when or where you run, by participating virtually in the Firefly 3K Fun Run.

Virtual Firefly 3K Fun Run Registration
Tuesday, April 21–Wednesday, June 10
Adult or child (4 and older): $30
Member adult or child (4 and older): $20

Registration for the Virtual Firefly 3K opens at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, and closes at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10.

 

Your participation in the Firefly 3K supports the Arboretum’s vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

 

The Firefly 3K Fun Run is supported by

Supported in-kind by

Registration

Firefly 3K Fun Run registration opens on Tuesday, April 21.

Registration must be completed online through RunSignUp.

Registration includes a branded apparel item and invitation to a postrace party.

The earlier you register, the more you save! Early registration rates for adults and children are available through Saturday, May 16; regular rates apply through Thursday, June 18; race day rates begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19.

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

Early Registration
Tuesday, April 21–Saturday, May 16
Adult (12 and older): $40
Member adult (12 and older): $30
Child (4 through 11): $30
Member child (4 through 11): $20

Early registration opens at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.

Registration
Sunday, May 17–Thursday, June 18
Adult (12 and older): $45
Member adult (12 and older): $35
Child (4 through 11): $35
Member child (4 through 11): $25

Regular registration opens at 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, and closes at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 18.

Race Day Registration
Friday, June 19
Adult (12 and older): $50
Member adult (12 and older): $40
Child (4 through 11): $25
Member child (4 through 11): $25

Race day registration is open after 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19.

Virtual Participation

Support the Arboretum’s vision no matter when or where you run by participating virtually in the Firefly 3K Fun Run.

Virtual Firefly 3K Fun Run Registration
Tuesday, April 21–Wednesday, June 10
Adult or child (4 and older): $30
Member adult or child (4 and older): $20

Registration for the Virtual Firefly 3K opens at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, and closes at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10.

 

Your participation in the Firefly 3K Fun Run supports the Arboretum’s vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

Virtual Participation

Support the Arboretum’s vision, no matter when or where you run, by participating virtually in the Firefly 3K Fun Run. As a virtual participant, you’ll complete the course distance at a location of your choosing and log your results online via RunSignUp.

Virtual participants may complete the race distance at The Morton Arboretum from Friday, June 5, through Friday, June 19, and will enjoy free Arboretum admission during that period.

Race packets and apparel will be sent to virtual participants via mail, free of charge.

Virtual Firefly 3K Fun Run Registration
Tuesday, April 21–Wednesday, June 10
Adult or child (4 and older): $30
Member adult or child (4 and older): $20

Registration for the Virtual Firefly 3K Fun Run opens at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, and closes at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10.

 

Your participation in the Firefly 3K Fun Run supports the Arboretum’s vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

Spectator Admission

Attend the race as a spectator to cheer on friends and family! Spectator admission to the Firefly 3K Fun Run is available to purchase through RunSignUp. Spectator admission includes access to a postrace party with a live DJ, a disco ball, and refreshments.

Spectator admission does not grant entry to participate in the race.

Postrace Party

After the Firefly 3K Fun Run, participants and spectators can enjoy the evening at the Arboretum with a postrace party.

This exclusive event features a light show, a live DJ, a disco ball, blacklights, and one free alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverage for race participants and spectators.

Additional snacks, alcoholic beverages, and nonalcoholic beverages will be available to purchase.

Race Packet Pickup and Mailing

Race packets include a race bib, safety pins, and race apparel items.

Free pickup of your race packet prior to race day is available at Dick Pond Athletics in Lisle, IL, from Friday, June 12, through Thursday, June 18, during store hours, and on Friday, June 19, until 1:00 p.m.

On-site race participants who register by 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, can opt to have their race packet mailed for a fee of $10. Those who register after 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, can pick up their packet for free at Dick Pond Athletics, or on race day for a fee of $10. Packet pickup on race day opens at 6:30 p.m.

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

Race Apparel

A branded running shirt is included with registration.

Details will be available closer to the race date.

Race Details and Policies

Read below for details about what to expect before, during, and after race day.

Accordion List

  • The Firefly 3K Fun Run is not a competitive event and will not feature race awards. The race will not be timed and there will be no official race results.

  • Strollers are allowed at this event. Children who are being pushed in strollers do not require race registration. Age-based pricing is available for children ages 4 through 13, with discounts automatically applied once the child’s age is entered.

    For children who will be participating in the race, a registration fee and a waiver signed by an adult are required.

  • Gear check is available for free on Friday, June 19, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m., across from the Visitor Center main entrance.

    Gear will be checked according to bib number. We are not responsible for any lost or stolen items. Please do not check anything of value. No gear will be held overnight, until the next day.

  • Free parking is available on-site at The Morton Arboretum. We suggest arriving at the Morton Arboretum at least 45 minutes prior to the race start time to allow for parking and to walk from parking to the start line. Participants are encouraged to carpool.

    Parking lot P-1 has accessible parking spaces and is close to the Visitor Center. The distance from the farthest parking spot to the main entrance of the Visitor Center is one-quarter of a mile.

  • Motorized vehicles, bicycles, roller skates, and pets are prohibited on Arboretum grounds during the race. Trained service dogs are always welcome.

  • Do you have well-worn 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 donation. Visit the shoe recycling tent near the start line on race day to drop off your pair.

  • Spectator admission to the Firefly 3K Fun Run is available to purchase through RunSignUp. Spectator admission includes access to a postrace party with a live DJ, a disco ball, and refreshments.

    Spectator admission does not grant entry to participate in the race.

  • Participants are permitted to run with strollers. Runners pushing strollers must line up at the back of the running or walking section when starting the race. Volunteers will be available to direct participants with strollers to the proper starting place.

  • Granola bars and Boxed Water will be provided at the finish line for registered participants.

  • Portable restrooms will be available near the start line. Accessible restrooms are available inside the Visitor Center and West Pavilion.

  • There will be no water stations along the race course.

  • The race will take place rain or shine. In the case of an emergency, participants will be notified via the email address used during race registration. Notifications will also be posted to The Morton Arboretum website and Facebook page.

Course Map

The Firefly 3K Fun Run course will follow the main paved road on the Arboretum’s East Side, moving through the Arboretum’s tree and plant collections, and down Frost Hill. The course is relatively flat and well-suited for runners, walkers, and wheelchair users of all experience levels.

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

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