2026 Summer Sunset Youth Races & 5K Run

THE RACES: Fox River Trail Runners is proud to host the Summer Sunset Youth Races & 5K Run along the beautiful Fox River. Join us on the evening of Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at beautiful Pottawatomie Park for a fun-filled family night of racing!

This event helps fund the FRTR Youth Scholarship Fund which provides annual scholarship awards (generally up to $10,000 in total) to local area youth for their freshman or sophomore years of post-secondary education. Since the inception of the Fox River Trail Runners Scholarship Fund, we have awarded over $170,000 in college scholarships to local youth.

Our Mission – Fox River Trail Runners (FRTR) was founded in 1995 and is a 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit Corporation whose mission is to promote running as a healthy lifestyle in the Fox Valley Region while also benefiting our community.

If you are interested in supporting FRTR's mission, please consider becoming a member!

Additional donations may be made as part of race registration. If you would like to donate to the FRTR Youth Scholarship Fund without registering for the race, please click here: DONATION ONLY

Donation Tax Information: All donations are to Fox River Trail Runners, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity (FEIN: 36-4395023).

   

Join us at beautiful Pottawatomie Park for a fun-filled family night of racing. The evening schedule includes the following events held at and near the Pottawatomie Park Pavilion!

Start Times

• Jamie LaForce Youth Mile: 6:15 PM (Age 12 & Under)
• Junior Jog: 6:30 PM (Age 9 & Under)
• Toddler Trot: 6:45 PM (Age 5 & Under)
• Summer Sunset 5K: 7:05 PM

Proceeds from this event go towards the FRTR Youth Scholarship Fund. Information about the scholarship and past winners can be found at frtr.org.

Packet Pickup will be at Dick Pond Athletics in St. Charles, IL on Tue, July 21, 2026, from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Race day packet pick-up will be available at Race Village (located at the Pottawatomie Park Pavilion) from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm.

Race Day registration: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM

All registered runners in the 5K Run/Walk and Youth Mile will receive a commemorative medal at the finish line.

All kids finishing in the Junior Jog and Toddler Trot receive a Finisher Ribbon.

5K Awards for the top three overall Male and Female winners.

Overall winners will not receive age group awards.

First, second and third place in the following male/female age groups: 14 & under, 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+. Also, first, second and third place will be awarded in the non-binary category overall (not by age group).

NOTE: Men's (Unisex) and Women's cut and Youth sizes available. 

Pics coming soon!

Tue, July 21, 2025 - Pre Race Packet Pick Up, 4 pm to 7 pm @ Dick Pond St. Charles

Wed, July 22, 2025 - Race Day Registration/Packet Pick Up, 5:30 pm (Pottawatomie Park)

Wed, July 22, 2025 - 6:15 PM - Jamie LaForce Youth Mile starts

Wed, July 22, 2025 - 6:30 PM - Junior Jog starts

Wed, July 22, 2025 - 6:45 PM - Toddler Trot starts

Wed, July 22, 2025 - 7:05 PM - Summer Sunset 5K starts

Event contact:   Summer Sunset Race Director

Email:   summersunset@foxrivertrailrunners.org

Website:  Visit website