Highwood 5K Family Run, Walk & Stroll
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2025 9 A.M.
Highwood 5K FAMILY RUN, WALK & STROLL
Benefitting Josselyn Center
DOWNTOWN HIGHWOOD
Josselyn, a nonprofit community mental health center known for its excellent mental health care, offering outpatient therapy, psychiatry, case management, employment support and intensive programs for youth. With 6 locations in northern Cook and Lake County, Josselyn is a high-quality affordable option serving more than 7,500 people annually.
Celebrate Highwood is pleased to announce that registration is now open for its one and only timed run of the year, the Highwood 5K Family Fun Run, Walk & Stroll, benefiting Josselyn. The public is invited to put on their sneakers, grab their family, friends, strollers and pets and join the fun on Saturday, July 19 at 9 AM in Downtown Highwood. The course starts in Downtown Highwood and guides you along the beautiful lake front trail and through historic Fort Sheridan and then back again.
The Highwood 5K Family Fun Run, Walk & Stroll, will be a timed run. “The Highwood 5K is replacing our past Taco and Pumpkin runs as the one and only run of the year,” says Jessica Ortega, president of Celebrate Highwood and owner of Giggles Play. “We are excited to offer runners of any level (or walkers) the opportunity to get out in the great outdoors with family and friends (and dogs) and raise money for a great cause.”
Participants Sign Up Here
The public is invited to put on their sneakers and grab their family, friends, strollers and pets to join this fun run, walk and stroll. The course starts in Downtown Highwood and guides you along the beautiful lake front trail and through historic Fort Sheridan and then back again.
Runners and walkers can sign up now through midnight on Friday July 18. The registration fee is $40 per participant (stroller kids are free) and includes a run t-shirt (must be registered by July 12 to guarantee t-shirt size).
Pre-race packet pick up will take place on Wednesday, July 16 from 5-8 PM at the Celebrate Highwood tent during Margarita Night at the Highwood Evening Gourmet Market in Everts Park and on Thursday, July 17 from 11 AM–1 PM at Fleet Feet, 800 Waukegan Road, Deerfield. Race Day onsite packet pick up and registration will take place at the start/finish line at Sheridan Road and Clay Avenue in Highwood beginning at 8 AM.
Volunteers Sign Up Here
2025 Participant Shirt
Proceeds from the Highwood 5K Family Run, Walk & Stroll run will directly benefit Josselyn, a nonprofit community mental health provider offering a full range of therapeutic care, including therapy, psychiatry, case management, and employment support, plus psychological testing and an Intensive Outpatient Program for youth. Josselyn also provides mental health for all and reduces cost as a barrier to receive mental health treatment and support. Josselyn works with every client to ensure access to care regardless of income and insurance, including a sliding fee scale based on eligibility.
“Every bit of support is not just appreciated, it's vital for Josselyn's ongoing success and our ability to provide crucial mental health services to our community,” says Pablo Alvarez, chair of Josselyn’s board of directors who also serves school counselor at Highland Park High School. “I've witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of Josselyn’s commitment to supporting our community's mental health.”
“In keeping with Celebrate Highwood’s mission of giving back to local charities, we are honored to help raise much needed funds and awareness of Josselyn,” says Ortega. “Our Celebrate Highwood events are powerful – they bring people together and create a sense of community which offers a great opportunity for Josselyn to spread the word about their services.”
The Highwood 5K Family Fun Run, Walk and Stroll is stroller, bike, scooter, wagon and pet friendly! To be a course marshal, please volunteer HERE.
A special thanks to our Highwood 5K Family Fun Run, Walk & Stroll sponsors, Fleet Feet, M. Brad Slavin Farmers Insurance, Lifeway Kefir, and Birg Law.
