The Piggyback Dash 10K, 5K, 2K
About this race
All proceeds from the race will benefit The Lance Purschke Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Join us for the 10th Annual Piggyback Dash. Enjoy a beautiful, rolling course through the streets of Union with a challenging but rewarding finish at the top of Autumn Hill. The 10K and the 5K runners will start at the same time. The 5K is a single loop course. As the 5K runners make the last turn onto Autumn Hill Drive the 10K runners will continue straight and proceed to run an additional 3 miles through Union. Aid stations will be provided along the 5K and 10K routes. Post race refreshments will also be provided.
The 10K and 5K (ish) are chip timed events and medals will be awarded. The 2K (1.2 mile) fun run/walk will not be officially timed and no medals will be provided.
As an added twist, once runners reach the bottom of Autumn Hill they have the opportunity to carry someone piggyback up the hill to the finish line. This is completely voluntary. In no way is the piggyback portion required in order to finish. It doesn't matter who the person on your back is. They do not have to be a registered participant. Runners who do choose to carry someone piggyback up Autumn Hill will receive an extra piece of finisher swag. See our FAQ page for more details.
Early-bird registration: 2/24/26 - 3/5/26
Standard registration: 3/6/26 - 8/31/26
Late registration: 9/1/26 - Race Day**
Online registration ends 9/23/26
**Registrations submitted after 8/31/26 are NOT GUARANTEED A SHIRT.
No dogs allowed in the race except service dogs.
Pick your distance
Running
10K
5K
2K
Typical race-day weather
Based on 9 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Union, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 6:55 AM and sets at 6:54 PM local time (CDT) in Union on September 26, 2026 — 11h 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 Union
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
The EQUALIZER 50K and 100K Gravel Race
The Equalizer Run and Recover-Fest!
Dashing through Defiance - 1 mile | 5k | 10k
Wild in the Woods - 5 & 10 mile Trail Race
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Union
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Union 5K Races 2 races
- 10K Run Events in Union 2 races
- Union Running Calendar 2026 2 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, 2 Union events
Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.