Galena 5k Stair Challenge

The 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.

Event Purpose

• Honors: the heroes of 9/11 on the 25th anniversary of this tragic event.
• Celebrates: our local first responders past and present.

Family-Friendly Activities

• Participants: The Galena Generals, Jo Daviess County Mounted Patrol, and Area First Responder demonstrations.
• Vendors: Food and treat vendors will join us at Green Street Plaza during and after the event.

Race Options

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

Registration Details

• Online Only: Registration for this event is online only!

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.
• Type: Mass start: not timed.

5K 7-Lap Stair Challenge Race

• 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!).
• May: $35 for Active First Responders and 7-Lap Runners.
• Close: Race Day in person registration closes at 9:00 am.
• Capacity: Maximum of 200 athletes accepted.
• Timing: Chip timing.

Wave Information

• Structure: Waves will be formed (first five registered, first wave: next five registered, second wave, etc.).
• Start: Waves will start every minute.
• Notification: Participants will be notified of their wave start time via email prior to the race date.

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!

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 Timeline

• Start: Race Registration will be online only beginning March 20, 2026.
• Limit: Maximum of 200 timed participants (no limit to fun run/walk participants).
• Close: Registrations will CLOSE when the race is filled or at midnight on September 11, whichever comes first.
• T-Shirt: Registrations after August 31, 2026 will NOT be guaranteed a T-shirt.

Event Staging Areas

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: Green Street Plaza and the Post Office/Custom House from 8:00 am to 9:00 a.m.
• Opening Ceremony: 8:15 a.m. Saturday.
• Closing: Medal Ceremony following race at Green Street Square.
• Awards: Award Ceremony at race conclusion.
• Starting Line: at Bench Street staging area.
• Notification: Volunteers will queue waves here in numerical order after escorting them from Green Street Plaza.
• Finish Line: Lap Notification on Bench Street.
• Recovery: Lap 7 finishers recovery area with water.

Event Link

For more information and to register, visit Galena 5K Stair Challenge.