Galena 5k Stair Challenge

Galena 5K Stair Challenge

The Galena 5K Stair Challenge is 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 and our local first responders past and present.

Non competitive run/walk/climb-1Lap. Competitive 7 Lap professionally timed with various divisions by age and gender.

Registration for this event is online only!

Event Details

• Date: 2025-09-13
• Location: Green Street Plaza, Galena, Illinois
• Website: Galena 5K Stair Challenge Registration
• Start Times: 9:00 a.m. for 1-Lap Fun Run/Walk: 9:15 a.m. for 5K 7-Lap Stair Challenge

1-Lap Fun Run/Walk

• Fee: $30 (covers event T-shirt, water, refreshments)
• Registration: Race Day in person registration closes at 7:00 am
• Type: Dress as your favorite hero!
• Mass start: Not timed

5K 7-Lap Stair Challenge Race

• Fee: $35: $30 for active-duty first responders (covers event T-shirt, water, refreshments)
• Registration: Race Day in person registration closes at 7:00 am
• Participants: Maximum of 200 athletes accepted
• Timing: Chip timing

Waves and Course Closure

• Wave Starts: Waves will be formed by registration order, starting every minute.
• Notification: Participants will be notified of their wave start time via email prior to the race date.
• Course Closure: 12:00 noon

Team Challenge Prizes

The top three individual fundraisers will receive special prizes!

Pledge Challenge

• Donation Goal: All participants are encouraged to raise at least $50 in donations to support Galena-based first responders.
• Unique URL: Share your unique URL to family and friends to invite them to donate to your registration or team.
• Fundraiser Eligibility: Submit pledge sheet(s) and money at Packet Pickup to be eligible for fundraiser prizes.

Event 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 Information

• Online Registration: Will begin May 5, 2025
• Participant Limit: Maximum of 200 timed participants, no limit for fun run/walk participants
• Registration Closure: Registrations will CLOSE when race is filled or at midnight on September 12.
• T-shirt Guarantee: Registrations after August 22, 2025, will NOT be guaranteed a T-shirt.

Event Staging Areas

Green Street Plaza near City Hall and Post Office/Custom House

Packet Pickup

• Friday: DeSoto House Hotel from 4 to 6 p.m.
• Saturday: Green Street Plaza and the Post Office/Custom House from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.

Race Day Schedule

• 8:15 a.m. Opening Ceremony
• Amenities: Finishers Refreshment area
• Award Ceremony: At 11:45 a.m.

Race Logistics

• Starting Line: Bench Street staging area
• Wave Queuing: Volunteers will queue waves here in numerical order.
• Lap Notifications: Bib numbers will trigger a visual record of each participant’s lap number.
• Recovery Area: Water available for Lap 7 finishers.