Run for D103 5K Run/Walk

We look forward to seeing you at the starting line on May 16, 2026!

The Run for D103 5K Run/Walk is a family-friendly, annual fundraising event that enables the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) to provide the Lincolnshire-Prairie View School District 103 with programs and equipment for the benefit of our children.  This race is representative of our district's commitment to foster both healthy minds and healthy bodies in our children and to instill a lifelong passion for education and exercise.

In addition to the 5k, we will host the Sibling Shuffle, a free fun run for children ages 4 and under.  Toddlers will have a chance to toe the line and be just like their older sibling(s) in this 103-yard dash to the finish line.  Each participant will receive a participation medal to celebrate his/her achievement.

Since the Run for D103 is a family event, we kindly ask you to please leave all furry friends at home.  Registered service dogs are always welcome.

Please note we CANNOT GUARANTEE T-SHIRTS for registrants after April 15, 2026.  After that date shirts will be distributed on a first come, first served basis based on inventory and registration date/time. 

 

The Run for D103 5K course is considered acceptable for athletes with a disability to participate in this event.  This 5K course follows flat, paved roadways with two elongated speed humps located in the short section of North Park.

Athletes with disabilities are encouraged to register early.  Requests for ADA accommodation are event specific and take 4 to 6 weeks after receipt of all necessary medical documents and forms to evaluate a request.  No such request will be granted if the necessary documentation has not been sent to the USATF General Counsel at least 6 weeks prior to the date of this event.

Required Forms:

• ​Athlete Consent Release and Waiver Form
• ADA Medical Accommodation Request Form

Further information can be found at: www.usatf.org

AWARDS
Individual Award
A winner trophy will be awarded to the top 3 overall male and female finishers.  A winner medal will be awarded to the top 3 finishers, male and female, in each age group.  

Age Categories:  7 & under, 8-9, 10-11, 12-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

Every Sibling Shuffle participant will receive a participation metal.

D103 Grade Level Challenge Award
The grade level with the most registrants will win a special reward!

D103 School Award
The school with the most registrants will win the traveling trophy and a $1,000 grant for physical education.

ROAD CLOSURES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS
​Please be advised that Riverwoods Road, north of Half Day Road/Route 22 to Everett Road, and the side streets along the course will be closed from 7:55 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025.  No street parking will be allowed on the course.  You will only have access to Riverwoods Road in case of an emergency.  For the safety of our participants, we strongly encourage all residents to schedule entry and exit of the race area before 7:50 a.m. or after 9:00 a.m. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for the inconvenience. 

Please email 5k@d103pto.org with questions.​

COURSE SUPPORT
One on-course water station will be located at approximately the halfway point.
 
COURSE TIME LIMIT
Runners/walkers must maintain a 20-minute per mile pace and complete the full 5K (3.1 miles) distance, start line to finish line, within the event time requirement of 1 hour, 2 minutes (mm:ss/62:59).  Runners/walkers who finish outside of the time requirement may not be recorded as official finishers and may not receive full on-course support.

TIMING CHECKPOINTS, MILE MARKERS, AND CLOCK

• Timing checkpoints are positioned at the start line, 2.5-mile mark, and finish line.  Your timing device will register your time at each of these checkpoints.
• Mile markers are positioned at each mile.
• A digital clock, positioned at the finish line will display the elapsed race time, which begins with the start of the race at 8:00 AM.  Your individual race time may differ depending on when you cross the official start line.

Event Address

Daniel Wright Jr. High School (DW)
1370 Riverwoods Road
Lincolnshire, IL 60069

 

On Site Parking

Parking will be available at DW as well as on nearby side streets not on the course.  No parking will be allowed on the racecourse.  

 

Remote Parking Lots

Village Church of Lincolnshire
201 N. Riverwoods Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045

Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church
1207 Riverwoods Road
Lincolnshire, IL 60069

Lincolnshire North Park
​1025 Riverwoods Road
Lincolnshire, IL 60069

 

Please be aware that Riverwoods Road will be closed to vehicular traffic from 7:55 AM to 9:00 AM

THE HISTORY OF RUN FOR D103 TO NOW
In 2009, The Parent Teacher Organization of Lincolnshire-Prairie View School District 103 identified a tangible and attainable need in School District 103: the renovation to the Daniel Wright Junior High School athletic fields that remained unusable to the students and community for much of the school year due to poor drainage and grading issues.   Our junior high school children were required to have gym/recess inside or "only on the blacktop" for over half of the school year due to these issues.  The District 103 track and field team were forced to cancel meets on a regular basis in the spring due to rain.  The District 103 soccer teams were unable to play home games at home and instead forced to play in Vernon Hills.

The fields were in dire need of grading and installation of proper drainage in order to be functional for use by our students.  The cost of this project was estimated at $325,000. 

In an effort to help expedite the timing of this project through financial funding assistance, District 103 PTO created the Run for the Fields 5K Run/Walk. The first Run for the Fields 5k was held in May 2011 and helped provide financial assistance to the school district in order to begin the field renovation which began in that summer of 2011. 

The renovation to the fields was completed and ultimately provided 2 soccer fields, a baseball field, a 1/3-mile walking/jogging path and areas for other field activities.  In 2012/2013, our soccer teams and cross-country teams were able to use our home field for the first time in many years!

The renovation has been instrumental in offering opportunities for the students to engage in fitness activities during gym, recess, after-school activities, and other sporting events.  In 2014, we completed our original obligated annual budgeted funding to the renovation of DW’s athletic fields. 

While the fields renovation was completed and funded in 2014, other outdoor recreational needs had arisen at our other elementary schools.  In 2013, Sprague School needed grading and new playground equipment and grounds.  Thus, the PTO for 2013/2014 committed to funding $100,000 over the following two years to Laura B. Sprague School for new playground equipment and grounds.  The playground incorporated wheelchair access to all levels of the playground to be ADA compliant and accessible.  They installed brand new Miracle Playground Equipment over the summer with an amazing 10-foot deck.  Over 1000 cubic feet of soil was moved to accommodate the new equipment and grounds.  The entire project included 4,500 sf of synthetic deck and 8,800 sf of new sidewalk.

The 2015 and 2016 events focused on sponsoring many of the D103 staff and teachers' needs: for $25,000, PTO purchased a new StarLab, which aligns with several grades' science curriculum and educated students in the area of astronomy. $15,000 from the 2014 runs' proceeds covered very much needed sound systems at Daniel Wright JHS stage and band room as well as several educational tech solutions for our other two schools. 

Even though the 5k race was renamed from Run for the Fields to Run for D103 to broaden its fundraising goals, PTO's commitment to providing our children with recreational programs and equipment has remained the same.

Our District-wide event gathers people from all over the area - parents, children, grandparents, friends - amounting to over 600 registrants year after year, coming together for a great cause: raising funds to improve the quality of our schools! And with up to 60 amazing volunteers, tirelessly working together to make this happen, this is the one community event that you do not want to miss!

For more information about District 103 PTO, please go to the PTO website.
​
SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Here are the fund-raising goals PTO has accomplished so far:2011 - 2014 - Renovation of the athletic fields at Daniel Wright JHS.

• 2013 & 2014 - New playground equipment at Laura B. Sprague School (total cost of $100,000)
• 2015 - A new StarLab, which aligns with several grades' science curriculum and in educating students in the area of astronomy.
• 2016 - Sound system upgrade at Daniel Wright JHS stage and band room as well as several educational tech solutions for our other two schools.
• 2017 - Consumer & Family Science lab improvements.
• 2018 - Reconstructed sound system at Half Day School used regularly during PE classes, fitness events, assemblies, presentations, and talent shows.
• 2019 - Innovative "face out” shelving system in the Sprague School library.
• 2020 - Event canceled due to COVID-19.
• 2021 - First ever "Virtual Race" where participants were able to run the race on their own terms.  Funds were raised for a lighting upgrade for the Half Day School stage.
• 2022 - Largest race registration ever!  Proceeds benefited continued improvement and innovation for Sprague School Library.
• 2023 - Funds raised from this race were applied to audio and video improvements in the Daniel Wright Junior High School gyms.
• 2024 - Funds raised from this race were donated to Half Day School.

Welcome to the Run for D103! We're excited to have you join us for this family-friendly community event. These guidelines are designed to keep everyone safe, ensure a great experience for all participants, and meet our permit requirements with local authorities and USA Track & Field (USATF) regulations.

Please take a few minutes to review these rules before event day. Questions? Contact us through the Race Info page.

 
REGISTRATION & PARTICIPATION
Age Requirements
Participants must be at least 5 years old on event day. If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian must complete your registration and waiver.

Your Bib Number Matters
Your bib and timing chip are assigned specifically to you and cannot be transferred, sold, or shared with anyone else. Using someone else's bib, or allowing someone to use yours, will result in disqualification from this event and may affect your eligibility for future races. Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Need an Accommodation?
If you require an accommodation due to a disability, please submit a written request through our Race Info page in advance of the event. We're committed to making reasonable accommodations whenever possible.

Required Waiver
All participants must read and agree to the event waiver before participating—no exceptions. This applies regardless of age or how you registered.

 
ANIMAL POLICY
To keep everyone safe—including participants, spectators, volunteers, and our four-legged friends—pets are not allowed on the course or event grounds.

Service dogs that are individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability are welcome in accordance with applicable laws. Please note that emotional support animals and therapy animals do not qualify as service animals under this policy.

Why no pets? Crowded race environments can be stressful for animals and create trip hazards or unpredictable situations for runners. We appreciate your understanding.

 
WHAT TO EXPECT ON RACE DAY
Timing & Pacing
We welcome runners and walkers of all speeds! You'll have 1 hour from the official start to complete the course (that's about a 19-minute mile pace). Wear your timing device properly throughout the race to ensure you receive an official time.

If you don't complete the course within the time limit, you're still a finisher in our book—you just won't receive an official recorded time.

Wearing Your Bib
Your bib must be visible on the front of your outermost layer of clothing. If you receive a second bib for your back, wear that too. No bib, no participation—it's how we keep everyone safe and accounted for.

Starting Line Etiquette
Please line up according to your expected pace, with faster runners toward the front. This helps everyone get off to a safe, smooth start. Position yourself behind the start line and timing mat before the gun goes off. Once the last participant crosses the start line, that's it—late starts aren't permitted, and you won't receive an official time.

 
COURSE RULES
Stay on Course
The official course route must be followed at all times. Course marshals and monitoring equipment help ensure everyone stays on track. Cutting the course—even accidentally—results in immediate disqualification.

If you need to leave the course for any reason, you may not rejoin to continue racing or to assist another participant.

Who Can Be on the Course
Only registered participants with official bibs and timing devices are allowed on the course. The exception: parents or guardians may push infants or toddlers in strollers, provided the adult pushing the stroller is a registered participant.

Aid Stations
Please use only the official aid stations provided by the event. Outside assistance or refreshments from friends, family, or personal supporters are not permitted. (Medical evaluation by our event medical team doesn't count as assistance and won't disqualify you.)

 
SAFETY & EQUIPMENT
Wheeled Devices
For everyone's safety, only the following wheeled devices are allowed on the course:

Baby joggers and strollers (pushed by registered participants)
Registered wheelchair participants
Authorized course marshal bicycles
All other wheeled devices—including skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, and unauthorized bicycles—are prohibited.

Personal Electronics
You're welcome to use headphones or personal music devices, but please keep the volume low enough to hear instructions from course marshals and be aware of your surroundings.

Using cell phones or cameras while running is discouraged if it interferes with your safety or that of others. Event officials may disqualify participants whose device use creates a hazard.

 
CONDUCT & SPORTSMANSHIP
We're all here to have fun and support our community. Please treat fellow participants, volunteers, spectators, and residents along the course with respect and courtesy.

The following are not allowed:

• The consumption of alcohol or drugs on school grounds or the race course
• Using areas other than designated restrooms for bathroom needs
• Blocking or obstructing other participants
• Any behavior deemed unsafe or inappropriate by event staff

Follow Official Instructions
For everyone's safety, please follow all instructions from race staff, volunteers, medical personnel, police, fire officials, and other city authorities. Failure to comply—or engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct—may result in disqualification and removal from future events.

 
MEDICAL & WEATHER SAFETY
Your Health Comes First
Our medical team may examine any participant who appears to be in distress. If medical staff determine that continuing poses a risk to your health, you may be asked to stop for your own safety. Please comply immediately with any instructions from medical personnel or event officials.

By participating, you accept full responsibility for any medical expenses related to training for or participating in the event.

Weather Contingencies
Event officials reserve the right to delay, suspend, or cancel the race due to severe weather or other dangerous conditions. We'll communicate any changes through [specify your communication channels: email, social media, website, etc.].

 
TIMING & RESULTS
Your electronic timing device is what gives you an official time, so make sure it's properly attached and worn throughout the entire race.

All results are reviewed before being posted as official. Participants wearing multiple timing devices, missing required timing checkpoints, or starting outside the official start window will not receive an official time and may be disqualified.

 
QUESTIONS OR EXCEPTIONS
Need to request an exception to these rules? Submit your request in writing at least 30 days before the event through the Race Info page, including the reason for your request.

Event officials reserve the right to modify these rules as needed prior to the event. Any updates will be communicated to registered participants.

 
GOVERNING STANDARDS
The Run for D103 5K Run/Walk operates under the rules and regulations of USA Track & Field (USATF) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). For more information, visit usatf.org and iaaf.org.

 
Thank you for helping us create a safe, fun, and memorable event for everyone! See you at the starting line.

2026 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Please join District 103 PTO this year in our commitment to promote the healthy minds and bodies of our children while raising funds for educational programs and equipment within our District.  Thank you for considering one of the following sponsorship opportunities. Please take a moment to read the following sponsorship letter and proposal booklet for detailed information on the benefits of sponsorship.

Note: Sponsorships are offered on a first-paid-first-claimed basis.  All sponsorships must be paid in full no later than April 1, 2026, to be included on any t-shirts, banners, signage, or promotional materials for the race. 

 

The 2026 Sponsorship book is available now!  Download here

Volunteers are the heart of Run for D103's success!  Most volunteer positions DO allow you to participate in the Run/Walk with friends & family, except where otherwise noted. 

​Questions/want to help?

Please sign up online or contact the Volunteer Coordinator Laura Schiavoni

5K Run/Walk: T-Shirt