Veterans 5K Run & Walk presented by Eldridge Roofing
About this race
5K Run & Walk:
A 5K Run/Walk to Benefit the Veterans Drop-In Center in Rockford, IL. This is our 14th annual run and will, again, be held at Rock Valley College. This run is USATF certified (NEED NUMBER) and is a 2026 RRR Circuit Race. See more information about the RRR Circuit at www.rockfordroadrunners.org
5k Ruck Division:
This is a 5k Ruck. This event starts at the same time as the 5k. It requires the participant to carry a rucksack (aka. backpack) for the entire 5k distance.
If you weigh > 150 lbs = your Ruck should weigh 20 lb.
If you weigh < 150 lbs = your Ruck should weigh 10 lb.
There are no age group awards for the 5k Ruck - only 1st overall male & Female.
Registration pricing:
$35 per participant, $15 for children 17 and under
Discount of $3 for RRR (does not include children 17 and under).
Online registration closes on Friday, 11-7-2025 at midnight
No inline skates or dogs please!
Shirts are guaranteed only if registered by NEED DATE. SHIRTS WILL NOT BE A GUARANTEE AFTER NEED DATE.
Our cool dog tag awards are given to the top male and female winners, along with the top 3 male and female winners in each of the following age categories:
0-8, 9-10, 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+
****Hierarchy of awards: One award given per person.
$100 - Overall male and female
$50 - Overall male and female veterans
$50 - Overall male and female masters (50+)
Veteran Branches - Male and Female
Age groups - 1st, 2nd, 3rd in each age group.
**Note - per IHSA rules, a high school athlete that is currently in or may be running sports may jeopardize their eligibility and/or scholarship opportunities by accepting the cash awards, and therefore, will not be allowed to accept the cash prizes. They are, however, still eligible to win the overall title and the dog tag medals.
Timing provided by Tri-3 Sports Timing.
See below for our unique "wall" shirt opportunity! And our awesome sponsors! Please patronize these veteran supporting businesses! Especially our main sponsor, Eldridge Roofing! http://www.eldridgeroofing.com
Pick your distance
Running
Veterans 5K Run & Walk
Veterans 5k Ruck
This is a 5k Ruck. It requires the participant to carry a rucksack (aka. backpack) for the entire 5k distance. If you weigh > 150 lbs = your Ruck should weigh 20 lb. If you weigh < 150 lbs = your Ruck should weigh 10 lb.
Kids 5K (Children 17 and under)
For Kids 17 and Under Special Pricing
Kids Fun Run - Free for kids 10 & under
This is a 1/4 mile fun run for kids ages 10 & under. Each child will receive a goody bag and bib. Please register for this event. Report to the Start line at 8:15 a.m.
Volunteer
We are grateful for generosity of volunteers lending a hand to make this event a success. If you would like to assist us please signup, there is no cost, we will contact you to see where you can help out.
Typical race-day weather
Based on 13 years of historical conditions on this event's race dates in Rockford.
Course
Route map and elevation profile
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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Results — Veterans 5K Run & Walk presented by Eldridge Roofing
Other races near Rockford
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
Warrior Crucible
Hobo Trail Runs 10k-25k-50k
Nik's 7K Home Run & 1.5 Mile Walk at MercyHealth Sportscore Two (Indoor Sports Center)
Glow in the Garden 5k
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Rockford
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Rockford 5K Races 7 races
- Rockford Running Calendar 2026 13 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, 16 Rockford events
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