Highwood 5K Family Run, Walk & Stroll
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2026 9 A.M.
Highwood 5K FAMILY RUN, WALK & STROLL
DOWNTOWN HIGHWOOD
SAVE THE DATE: CELEBRATE HIGHWOOD ANNOUNCES
HIGHWOOD 5K FAMILY RUN, WALK & STROLL TO BENEFIT OAK TERRACE PTO
Inviting the Community to “Channel Their Inner Superhero” on Saturday, July 18
Registration is now open for family and pet friendly fundraising event
Celebrate Highwood is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Highwood 5K Family Fun Run, Walk & Stroll, benefiting Oak Terrace Parent Teacher Organization. The public is invited to put on their sneakers, grab their family, friends, strollers, and pets and join the fun on Saturday, July 18 at 9 AM in Downtown Highwood. The course starts and finishes at the corner of Sheridan Rd & Clay Ave. and will guide participants along the beautiful lake front trail and through historic Fort Sheridan and then back again.
This year’s run embraces a special "Superhero" theme, encouraging participants to come dressed as their favorite superhero. “Celebrate Highwood is thrilled to partner with Oak Terrace and align with their ‘Be a Superhero in Your Community’ theme,” says Celebrate Highwood president, Jess Ortega. “Oak Terrace’s platform on community mindedness goes hand in hand with our mission with Celebrate Highwood!”
Proceeds from the 2026 Celebrate Highwood 5K will directly benefit the Oak Terrace PTO, a non-profit organization committed to developing closer connections between home and school. As a Title 1 school, Oak Terrace serves 502 students and 93 staff members, where 43% of students qualify for free and reduced lunch. Oak Terrace PTO is essential in proactively and reactively responding to the needs of the school community.
“Funds raised from Celebrate Highwood will allow us to do more events to strengthen our school, reward our teachers for all their hard work, and bring our community together,” say Melody Golden and Katie Marecek, Oak Terrace PTO Co-Presidents, and Highwood residents. “The Highwood community is reflected in Oak Terrace. We want to bridge the gap and ensure language is never a barrier by bringing together people who do not speak the same language, conducting our outreach in both English and Spanish, and removing barriers to participation.”
New this year there will also be a one‑mile walk option, making the event more accessible for families with young children, strollers, or anyone looking to enjoy a shorter route. No matter the race chosen, participants can take on the distances they choose at any pace they enjoy!
Runners and walkers can sign up HERE now through midnight on Saturday, July 18. The 5K Run, Walk & Stroll registration fee is $45 per participant, and includes a run t-shirt (must be registered by Monday, July 6 to guarantee a shirt and size). The one-mile walk fee is $25 and does not include a t-shirt. Participants aged 21 and older, will receive a coupon for an alcoholic beverage to enjoy at the Celebrate Highwood bar located at the Taste of Highwood in Everts Park, or the Celebrate Highwood bar at Highwood Days, held at the Highwood Metra Station parking lot, through Sunday, July 19.
Pre-race packet pick up will take place on Wednesday, July 15 from 5 - 8 PM at the Celebrate Highwood tent during the Highwood Evening Gourmet Market in Everts Park. Race day onsite packet pick up and registration will take place at the start/finish line at Sheridan Road and Clay Avenue in downtown Highwood beginning at 8 AM.
Race Day Schedule & Logistics:
8:00 AM: Race Day Registration and Packet Pick Up opens (Intersection of Sheridan Rd & Clay Ave)
9:00 AM: 5K Race Start
10:00 AM: Age Group Awards Ceremony (or when the last participant crosses the finish line)
Age Group Awards: Celebrate Highwood will recognize the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Male and Female finishers in two age groups: 16 & under, and 17 & over.
A special thank you to the Celebrate Highwood 5K sponsor ARC Limited Family McDonald’s.
