Polka Run 5K
About this race
Polka Run 5K – First Inaugural Edition
Welcome to the first-ever Polka Run 5K! This unforgettable race is proudly part of the Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival, taking place July 10–12 at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.
The polka is a lively, joyful traditional dance known for its fast tempo and playful spins — the moment the music starts, your feet can’t help but twirl in circles! So what better place to celebrate the polka spirit than with the stunning Chicago skyline as your backdrop?
If you love to dance, come polka your way through the course. If you’d rather run — then run! Whether you take polka steps or running strides, enjoy the breathtaking views along Lake Shore Drive and the shores of Lake Michigan, cheered on by an amazing crowd. Wear the vibrant colors of the Lithuanian flag — yellow, green, and red — and turn the 5K into a moving celebration of culture and community, like autumn leaves dancing along the path!
Walkers are warmly welcome too! This is a limited-capacity event, so register soon and secure your spot to experience the run, the music, the energy, and the unforgettable Lithuanian vibe.
Join us for a celebration of movement, culture, and community — see you at the starting line!
Every runner and walker gets a distinctive, custom finisher medal — a memorable piece you’ll be excited to wear and show off!
Pick your distance
Running
Polka Run 5K
Typical race-day weather
Based on 7 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Chicago, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 5:26 AM and sets at 8:25 PM local time (CDT) in Chicago on July 12, 2026 — 14h 59m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
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Other races near Chicago
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
Chicago Public League Championship
Spooky Sprint - Greater Chicago
Polish Independence Run
Halloween Trick or Trot Run 5K/10K/13.1 CHICAGO/EVANSTON
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Chicago
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Chicago 5K Races 134 races
- 10K Run Events in Chicago 61 races
- Chicago Half Marathons 50 races
- Marathons in Chicago 4 races
- Chicago Running Calendar 2026 148 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 151 Chicago events
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