Cantigny 5K Run/Walk 2026 - Benefiting The Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans

Cantigny (pronounced "Can - Tee - Knee") 

Cantigny is the former home of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, longtime editor, and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The 500-acre estate features gardens, the Robert R. McCormick Museum, the First Division Museum, and a 27-hole championship public golf course. 5K participants and their families are invited to explore and enjoy Cantigny. 

Cantigny 5K Run/Walk 2026

The Cantigny 5K Run/Walk is a benefit for the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, and registrants may enjoy access to Cantigny for the rest of the afternoon. 

The course tours the grounds of Cantigny and Cantigny Golf. Participants will run past Cantigny’s Gardens, the Robert R. McCormick House, and the First Division Museum. Please note that due to construction at Cantigny Golf, the course will be modified this year. Digital clocks or timers will be located at mile markers. Water stations will be set up at the halfway mark and at the start/finish line.

Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans

All proceeds from the Cantigny 5K Run/Walk will benefit the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton, IL. The shelter is a not-for-profit transitional living facility that provides assistance to U.S. veterans of any era, the opportunity to return to useful and productive lives by providing them with the skills for independent living.  

Registration Fees 

5K chip-timed race (price is for any runner or walker of any age who plans to participate) 

$20 through July 1

$25 July 2 - September 19

$30 September 20 - October 15

$45 October 16 - October 17 (Must register in person) 

1-Mile Run (non-chipped, for ages 6-10) 

$5

1/4-Mile Run (non-chipped, for ages 0-5) 

$5

Race Schedule 

Friday, October 16, 2026

11 am - 7 pm: Early packet pick-up, Visitors Center 

Saturday, October 17, 2026

7 am - 8:45 am: Packet Pick-up, Visitors Center 

7:30 am – 12:30 pm: American Legion Pancake Breakfast 

9 am: 5K Run/Walk Start 

10 am: 5K Awards Ceremony, followed by 1-mile and ¼-mile runs 

Your disposable timing chip will be included with your packet and attached to the back of your bib number. 

The parking fee will be waived for registered participants picking up their packets.  

Award Ceremony 

At approximately 10 am, outside in the South Lot, near the finish line, the awards will be presented to the top three male and female overall finishers.  

The top three male and female overall finishers for the 1-Mile and 1/4-Mile runs will also receive an award immediately following the end of each race. 

Awards will be given only to registered runners with a valid chip. The official race results provided by Mattoon Multisport will be used for overall and age group rankings. 

Parking  

Ample free parking for race participants and volunteers is available close to the Visitors Center and the finish line, so participants can leave gear in their car. 

Cantigny's Website 

For further up-to-date information on the 5K Run/Walk or on Cantigny, please visit our website at Cantigny.org. 

Volunteers 

Volunteers are needed and welcome to assist with registration, packet pickup, refreshments, course marshals, and water stops. If you are interested, please contact Dave Dick at ddick@cantigny.org

American Legion Pancake Breakfast  

7:30 am – 12:30 pm in Le Jardin 

$12 (ages 13 and up) 

$5 (ages 5 – 12) 

Free for children 4 and under 

Tickets to the pancake breakfast may be purchased during packet pick up on October 16th at a discounted rate of $10 per adult.  

Additional Information 

For additional event information, visit Cantigny.org, email Brian Gray at bgray@cantigny.org, or by phone during regular office hours at 630.260.8167. 

Bicycles, Strollers, Etc. 

Bicycles, in-line skates, roller skates, scooters, other wheeled vehicles (except wheelchairs), and dogs are not allowed on the course, will not be allowed through the finish chutes, and will not be included in the results. Runners with baby strollers may not run competitively and must start after and remain behind runners for the entire race.