North Shore Taco 5K Family Run, Walk & Stroll

The public is invited to put on their sneakers, grab their family, friends, strollers and pets and join the fun on Saturday, July 22 at 9 AM in Downtown Highwood. The start/finish line will be at the intersection of Waukegan and Walker Avenues.

For the first time, the North Shore Taco 5K will be timed, as Celebrate Highwood Highwood has decided to merge their other two runs into one big event. “We have never offered a timed run,” says Eric Falberg, president of Celebrate Highwood and Highwood Alderman. “Combining all of our runs into one allows us to afford a timing company so runners of any level (or walkers) have the opportunity to get out in the great outdoors with family and friends (and dogs) and raise money for a great cause.”

“We are immensely grateful to Celebrate Highwood and all the supporters of the North Shore Taco 5K Run for their unwavering commitment to supporting access to justice in Lake County and suburban Cook County. The dedication and generosity since the inception of the race has made a significant impact at NSLAC and for the thousands of individuals we serve. The support we receive helps us to continue our mission of providing access to justice in the areas of domestic violence, housing, and immigration to those who need it most, ensuring that justice is not a privilege but a fundamental right for all. Together, we are building a more equitable society and helping those in need go on to live productive and secure lives,” says Susan Shulman, Executive Director of North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic.

Runners and walkers can sign up HERE now through midnight on Friday July 21. The registration fee is $40 per participant (stroller kids are free) and includes run t-shirt, complimentary taco from award winning La Plancha Loca, and for participants 21 and older, a choice of Cutwater Spirits Paloma, Mule or Margarita, beer or other cocktail to enjoy at Taco Fest, located at Everts Park or Highwood Days, located at the Highwood Metra Station parking lot through Sunday July 23.

Pre-race packet pick up will take place on Thursday, July 20 from 10 AM–1 PM at Gearhead Outfitters, 621 Central Avenue, downtown Highland Park, or at Taco Fest on Friday, July 21 at the Celebrate Highwood booth in Everts Park, 111 North Avenue, Highwood, IL 60040. Race day on-site registration and packet pick-up will be in front of Billy’s Garage at 401 Sheridan Road in Highwood beginning at 8 AM.

Proceeds from this run will continue to benefit the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic. For more than eight years the Clinic has provided accessible, quality, equitable, free legal services in the areas of domestic violence, housing, and immigration to give low-income, at-risk community members access to justice and the opportunity to live productive and secure lives. NSLAC has been committed to responding to the legal needs of low-income, at-risk individuals and families in suburban Cook County, Illinois and throughout Lake County, Illinois. NSLAC has been a beacon of hope for so many, including a mother and her children seeking safety from an abuser, for a family seeking safe living conditions, and a married couple seeking lawful permanent residency so that they may stay together in this country.

“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 North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic,” says Falberg. “Our Celebrate Highwood events are powerful – they bring people together and create a sense of community which offers a great opportunity for The Clinic to spread the word about their services.”

North Shore Taco 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 North Shore Taco 5K Family Fun Run, Walk & Stroll sponsors: Cutwater Spirits, Gearhead Outfitters, The Illinois Hammer Injury Attorneys, La Plancha Loca, and PromptMed Urgent Care. 

Browse this website for more information on all of Celebrate Highwood’s 2023 series of family friendly festivals and events or www.facebook.com/celebratehighwood.