The Lake Run

• 2026 Race Theme will be "International Harry Potter Day" which is observed May 2nd.  
• International Harry Potter Day was officially declared by David Cameron, the Prime Minister of Britain at the time, in 2012. It is designated to be on the 2nd of May, the day Harry Potter defeated Lord Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts, and the day that the Battle of Hogwarts and the Second Wizarding War ended.
• Two new categories, fastest witch, wizard or muggle. Costumes required. Along with no-time, no-shirt option.
• The first Lake Run, a loop around Lake Bloomington, was held in 1982 and had 224 finishers. The race became an annual event, added a shorter loop and continues to grow each year.  In addition to the standard age group classifications, the race has footpounder classes for men over 220 lb and women over 190 lb, as well as footpounder light: 190-219 lb (men) and 150lb - 179lb  (women).
• You can choose from the 12K which is 7.44 miles in length, 4.37 Mile, or 3 Mile Walk, each have chip timing and race results posted live during the event.
• Post race food include Avanti's Gondola Sandwiches and vegetarian options.
• Post Party is back at Green Gables outdoor beer garden !!  Each participant over the age of 21 will receive a free beer of choice from various craft and domestic beers offered on race day.  Non-Alcoholic Athletic Brewing beer will be available at this events post party. 
• Over the years, the Lake Run has celebrated various holidays and festive events that fall on the same day as the Lake Run, including "May the 4th be with you, Star Wars Theme", Cinco De Mayo, etc.
• Need to register before 4/23/2026 to receive a Lake Run T-Shirt in your size. 
• 2026 Partial Proceeds TBD 

12K and 3 Mile Walk Will Start at 8:30 AM

4.37 Mile Inner Loop will start at 9:00 AM.

Your Lake Run Club membership comes with a significant discount into the Lake Run!
All LRC members receive a $5 discount if registered before April 1st.  The discount returns to $3 thereafter.

Discounts are also available for members of the Springfield Road Runners Club and Starved Rock Runners Club
Members of these clubs receive a $2 discount.

4.37 Mile Run ("Inner Loop"): https://www.certifiedroadraces.com/certificate/?type=r&id=8781 
12K Run ("Outer Loop") https://www.certifiedroadraces.com/certificate/?type=r&id=8793 

2026 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=3434
2025 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=3255
2024 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=3047
2023 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=2855
2022 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=2644
2021 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=2440 
2020 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=2329 
2019 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=2117 
2018 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=1874 
2017 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=1652 
2016 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=1442 
2015 Results:
     4.37 Miles - https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=1160 
     12K - https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=1162 
     Half Marathon - https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=1163 
2014 Results:
     4.37 Miles - https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=850 
     12K - https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=851 
     Half Marathon - https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=976 
2013 Results:
     4.37 Miles - https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=591 
     12K - https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=754 
2012 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=397 
2011 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=228 
2010 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=115 
2009 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=83 
2008 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=59 
2007 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=57 

Please note, there will be no paper registration offering at any point.  You must register online before registration closes.

Water Stop and Parking:  Review the google map below.  There has been zoning changes at Lake Bloomington as it relates to Parking around Green Gables.  Due to these changes we suggest runners park at E 2500 North Road, which most have done at past Lake Run events.  Suggest car pooling with runners and family members within your circles.   

Do not park at Green Gables, Lake Road Inn, or Bill's cars which is next to Green Gables.  Post race, your welcome to park there if your planning on meeting friends and family at these two bars.  You can use Lake Road Inn as a drop off point for your runners and move down to park at Davis Lodge from 7:30-8:25 AM, or circle back through the Lake Road Inn lot and park with your car heading west on E 2500 North Road.

We have made arrangements to leverage the Davis Lodge and boat launch parking area North of the start line.  We will be running a shuttle from this location from 7:30 AM roughly every 3 minutes till the start of the 12K race. Then resume post race roughly every 5 minutes till noon.  Its roughly 1/2 mile from Davis Lodge to the start line. In the event Davis Lodge fills up, we will proceed north to lots near the spillway. Folks riding the shuttle will need to sign a waiver.

Parking Map and Water Stops

FRIDAY BIB/SHIRT PICKUP
3:30 PM - 6:30 PM Often Running 206 S Linden St, Normal, IL 61761, Illinois

SATURDAY SCHEDULE
7:30AM - 8:30 AM Bib and shirt pickup at the race site
8:30AM - 12K begins - Water-only stations at Mile 2, 4, 6.5
8:30AM - 3 Mile Walk begins. Course follows the 7K, turning left at Carvers corner to the Park and back to start. 
9:00AM - 4.37 Mile (7K) begins - Water only stations at Carvers Corner (mile 1 and 3.37 mark)

10:00 - AM (approximately) - Awards Ceremony across Green Gables

Post Race Activities:  Green Gables Post Party in their beer garden.

9:45 AM Beer Garden Green Gables - Sponsored by Lake Run Club.  Race participants get two drink tickets.  Must be 21 or older have your ID with you.  

Our goal is to give you, the runners and walkers competing in our event, a competitive racing experience in compliance with all CDC social distancing and health safety guidelines.

Please keep in mind that your cooperation and adherence to all safe distancing practices is the key to us being able to offer competitive events like this in the foreseeable future.

General:
•    Participants are required to be completely self-sufficient.
•    Participants must follow all CDC safe distancing guidelines.
•    Participants must be in good health and symptom free from any illness for at least 14 days prior to the event.

Registration:
•    Participants must register online in advance.  No paper registration will be offered.  No race day registration.
•    Participants will sign up for a designated start time.  There is a strict limit for each assigned start time that are available on a first come, first serve basis.  
•    Pickup of your race bib and shirt prior to race day is strongly encouraged. 

On Course:
•    Minimal volunteers or marshals will be on course.  It is your responsibility to know the course, and run it safely.
•    Except for passing, participants should always remain on the far side of the course.  Participants passing one another on the course must adhere to “no drafting” rules which include being no closer than 6 feet behind or in front of, or 6 feet beside other competitors at any time.  Participants may pass only when there are not any oncoming runners approaching from the opposite direction.  Before passing, participants must be sure they can safely remain 6 feet behind and then 6 feet in front of the participant being overtaken before merging back to the side of the pathway.

Water will be on the course at mile 2 and 4.25 and 6.4 mile on the 12K.  Mile 1 and mile 3.4 on the 4.37 mile.  You can provide your own hydration along the course if you have special needs. Trash cans and buckets will be nearby to toss your empties.  

Finish Line:
•    Upon completing their run and crossing the finish line, participants must continue moving towards the exit of the finish area. There will be post race food and water will be available at the finish.  Race results will be posted live, but will likely change throughout the morning as more waves finish. There will be an awards table setup, with separate awards for the 7k and 12k runners.  We do plan to take any award not picked up on race day to Often Running in Normal.  

Post race at Green Gables, will start at 9:30 AM.  There is also outdoor dining at Lake Road Inn. 

Best of luck to all of those participating.

Results:
•    Results will be posted immediately after you complete your race.
•    Participants who opted in will receive a text message with their time shortly after crossing the finish line.
•    Results will be updated throughout the day at www.ItsRaceTime.com  

If you are changing events, this must be completed by end of day Thursday on race week.

To transfer from one event to another (example: 12K to 4.37 Mile), complete the following steps:

1. Go into your races: https://runsignup.com/Race/MyRegisteredRaces
2. Click View/Edit Event by the Lake Run
3. Click "Transfer Event" in the left menu.
4. Follow the steps for the Transfer