Galena 5k Stair Challenge

🏃‍♂️ Galena 5K Stair Challenge

Join us in beautiful, historic Galena IL for The Galena 5K Stair Challenge! Now hosted by The Galena Area EMS District, The Galena Police Department and The Galena Fire Department.

This event honors the heroes of 9/11 on the 25th anniversary of this tragic event and celebrates our local first responders past and present.

🎉 Event Details

• Date: 2026-09-12
• Location: Green Street Plaza, Galena, Illinois
• Registration: Online only!
• Family Fun: Food and treat vendors, demonstrations, and activities.

👟 Race Categories

1-Lap Fun Run/Walk

• Start time: 9:00 a.m.
• Fee: NEW! April Early Bird $30, May $35, June and July $40, August to event $40 (t-shirt and medal included!)
• Registration close: Race Day in-person registration closes at 9:00 am.
• Timing: Mass start: not timed.

🏅 5K 7-Lap Stair Challenge

• Start time: 9:15 a.m.
• Fee: NEW! April Early Bird $30 for Active First Responders and 7-Lap Runners (includes T-shirt and medal!).
• Other fees: May $35, June to Event $45 for 7-Lap Runners.
• Capacity: Maximum of 200 athletes accepted: chip timing.

💰 Fundraiser Challenge

• Goal: All participants are encouraged to raise at least $50 in donations to support Galena-based first responders.
• Sharing: Share your unique URL to family and friends and invite them to donate to your registration or team.
• Prizes: The top three individual fundraisers will receive special prizes!

👕 Event Information

• T-shirt sizes: Youth: small, medium, large: Adult: small, medium, large, extra-large, 1X, 2X.
• Age Groups: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+.
• Registration availability: Opens March 20, 2026. Maximum of 200 timed participants (no limit to fun run/walk participants).
• Registration close: Registrations will CLOSE when race filled or at midnight on September 11, whichever comes first.

📍 Event Staging Areas

• Location: Green Street Plaza near City Hall and Post Office/Custom House.
• Packet pickup: NEW! Friday, September 11, 2026 from 4pm to 7pm at the Galena Area Emergency Medical Services District Station, 217 Summit Street, Galena, Illinois.
• Saturday pickup: Green Street Plaza and the Post Office/Custom House from 8:00 am to 9:00 a.m.
• Other events: 8:15 a.m. Saturday: Opening Ceremony, Closing and Medal Ceremony following race, Award Ceremony at race conclusion.

🏁 Race Day Logistics

• Starting Line: Bench Street staging area: Volunteers will queue waves here in numerical order.
• Lap Notification: Finish Line on Bench Street with visual tracking of participant’s lap numbers.
• Recovery area: Lap 7 finishers recovery area with water.