PLEASE NOTE: This event has already occurred.
Date/Time
Date(s) - 04/25/2026
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location
Memorial Stadium
Categories
The Fun Zone starts at 12 p.m. in the 27th Mile Celebration area!
Celebrate youth fitness with the Busey Youth Run Funzone! Let local children’s vendors keep your little racer entertained as they wait their turn to take the field. Weather-permitting, the FUNZONE will be located at the east end of the 27th-Mile Street Fest on Kirby Avenue, outside Memorial Stadium, starting at noon on race day, Saturday April 25. If the weather is iffy, the festivities will take place in the Great East Hall of Memorial Stadium.Festivities will close prior to the singing of the National Anthem.
What to expect on race day
Waves
The Youth Run will be run in multiple heats. Back for 2026 is the “Welcome Wave”—a heat tailored for families and participants with disabilities. Participants in the Welcome Wave will enjoy a fun race experience with additional support in the race environment and from dedicated volunteers. This Welcome Wave heat will be the first wave, immediately following the national anthem, minimizing wait time and the total duration of participation.
The heat will be run on the same course, on the turf inside Memorial Stadium. Running, walking, or rolling this heat in full or shortening this distance is welcomed! Please be aware that the surface material is artificial turf in planning for mobility. Participants in this heat will be able to exit the Stadium directly at the same level, through the Horseshoe exit, and receive their post-race food in individual goody bags. Grade restrictions do no apply to this heat. A caregiver race bib is provided for each participant.
After the Welcome Wave, the remaining heats will be run according to grade. There is also a sibling heat. The Youth Run is for children fifth grade and under. Parents/guardians/companions can run with their youth run entrant.
The course
The route is roughly 1K in length (slightly longer than half a mile). Each heat will start separately at the south end of the football field, make several loops north and south on the field, and then finish at the 50-yard-line.
Packet pick up
For every youth run entry, you’ll receive a companion race bib, at NO charge, so a companion can run with the youngster.
Participants and their companions can register and pick up youth run race packets and instructions on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday of race weekend:
- Thursday, April 23, during the Health & Fitness Expo at the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday, April 24, during the Health & Fitness Expo at the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday April 25 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Youth Run Funzone on Kirby Avenue, just east of the 27th-Mile Street Fest right outside Memorial Stadium
Please note that race packets for all other events can only be picked up on Thursday and Friday at the Health & Fitness Expo.
Youth Run Raceday Instructions
Download Instructions in English, Spanish, French or watch this short video about the Youth Run.
Please remember that events may be canceled or rescheduled last minute due to unpredictable weather or other factors. We encourage you to reach out to event organizers before heading out to an event to verify it is still happening.
