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: September 12, 2026
• Location: Green Street Plaza, Galena, Illinois
• URL: Galena 5K Stair Challenge
• Registration: Online only.

1-Lap Fun Run/Walk

• Start Time: 9:00 a.m.
• Fee: $30 (covers event T-shirt, water, refreshments)
• Registration: Race Day in-person registration closes at 7:00 a.m.
• Timing: Mass start: not timed.

5K 7-Lap Stair Challenge

• Start Time: 9:15 a.m.
• Fee: $35: $30 for active-duty first responders (covers event T-shirt, water, refreshments)
• Registration: Race Day in-person registration closes at 7:00 a.m.
• Participants: Maximum of 200 athletes accepted. Chip timing.

Waves and Timing

• Waves: Waves will be formed based on registration order.
• Start Interval: Waves will start every minute.
• Notification: Participants will be notified of their wave start time via email prior to race date.
• Course Closure: Course closes at 12:00 noon.

Team and Pledge Challenge

• Team Challenge: The top three individual fundraisers will receive special prizes!
• Pledge Challenge: All participants are encouraged to raise at least $50 in donations.
• Invitations: Share your unique URL to family and friends for donations.
• Prizes: 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

Male and Female: 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 and above.

Registration Information

• Registration Start: Online only beginning May 5, 2025.
• Participant Limit: 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 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.
• Finishers: Refreshment area available.
• Award Ceremony: at 11:45 a.m.
• Starting Line: located at the Bench Street staging area.

Lap Notification and Recovery

• Queueing: Volunteers will queue waves in numerical order.
• Lap Notification: Bib numbers will trigger a visual record of each participant’s lap number.
• Recovery Area: Lap 7 finishers recovery area with water available.