Popcorn Panic 5M Run & 5K Run/Walk
About this race
The Valpo Tradition Continues!
Join us for the 48th running of the Popcorn Panic. A community tradition for over four decades, this event has over 1,200 participants annually, running and walking through our tree-lined city streets. In teams or as individuals, you can choose to run the 5 miles or the 5K run or walk.
Team Competition
Participants are encouraged to form teams! Teams must have at least 4 finishers to be eligible for team award. Winner is determined by computer analysis of the overall place of the top 4 team members. Team members are also eligible for individual awards.
Registration
Register by 8/14 to guarantee a shirt size. No shirt option saves $5.
Register early and save! Fee increases to $40 after 8/17. Same day registration $45.
Packet Pick-Up
- Pre-race packet pick-up will be available Wed, Sep 9 - Thu Sep 10 at the Extra Mile Fitness Company, 3400 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso, IN
- Pre-race packet pick-up will be available Fri, Sep 11th at Butterfield Pavilion from 3:30pm - 5:30pm
- Onsite packet pick-up will be available on race morning beginning at 6:30am. Due to the size of this event we strongly encourage you to register ahead of race day and pick your packet up early.
Awards*
Back for 2026 - Valpo Parks is continuing the recognition for the top runners. The male and female winners of the 5-mile race will be crowned champions, each receiving a suite of prestigious prizes:
- Champion crown
- The honor of riding in the Popcorn Fest Parade
- Two complimentary drink tickets for the Popcorn Festival
- A $250 gift card to Extra Mile Fitness Company
Overall & Age Group Awards – Top Overall Male & Top Overall Female, Top Masters Male & Top Masters Female, Top 3 Male and Female in the following age groups: 10 & under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+
*Please note, Popcorn Panic has a non-duplication of awards policy. A participant who finishes in the top overall and masters winners in each event do not qualify to win an individual age group plaque.
Pick your distance
Running
5 Mile Run
Pets, skate boards, in-line skates, bike, etc. are prohibited. Wheelchair participants are welcome. Baby strollers are cautiously permitted and if used must start at the REAR of the participants.
5K Run/Walk
This is a 5K Run/Walk. This is not a competitive walk. Pets, skate boards, in-line skates, bike, etc. are prohibited. Wheelchair participants are welcome. Baby strollers are cautiously permitted and if used must start at the REAR of the participants.
Typical race-day weather
Based on 14 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Valparaiso, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 6:25 AM and sets at 7:03 PM local time (CDT) in Valparaiso on September 12, 2026 — 12h 37m 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.
Reviews
Done this event?
If you've participated in this event, share your experience with other runners
2026 results — Popcorn Panic 5M Run & 5K Run/Walk
1,220 finishers across 2 distances · leading places in the 5 Mile Run, 5 Mile Run Overall & Teams-5-Mile Run Team
| Place | Name | Time | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrew Taylor | 26:18 | 5:16 /mi |
| 2 | Jake Baranowski | 28:21 | 5:40 /mi |
| 3 | Drake Dickerson | 28:26 | 5:41 /mi |
| 4 | Joey Betz | 28:37 | 5:43 /mi |
| 5 | Andrew Jankowski | 28:47 | 5:45 /mi |
Every finisher is on the results page, filterable by distance, gender and age group.
All results by year
Other races near Valparaiso
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
Big Fat Greek 5K
Valparaiso Turkey Trot
Duneland Half Marathon and 5K
Turkey Trot - Portage Township Ymca
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Valparaiso
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Valparaiso 5K Races 11 races
- Valparaiso Running Calendar 2026 20 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, 21 Valparaiso events
Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.