Run with the Lion 5K

Sunday, September 8, 2024 | Aurora, IL

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Information

Race Details

The PATCH Run with the Lion 5K is a fun run and community fundraiser hosted by Painters District Council No. 30. The event features a 3.1 mile race for runners, walkers, and joggers of all ages, as well as a free 1 mile "Little Lions" race for children. All race proceeds will be donated to the PATCH Foundation, which provides financial support to organizations benefiting children in need throughout our local community.

Event Registration: $20

Event Timeline:

  • 7:00AM – Parking lot opens
  • 7:15AM – Packet pick-up & race-day registration
  • 8:15AM – Welcome & warm up begins
  • 8:25AM – Starting corrals open
  • 8:30AM – 5K race begins
  • 9:15AM – Little Lions race begins (kids, ages 5-10)

Pricing & race waves

Registration for the main 5K course is $20.00, and all children can participate in the Little Lions course free of charge. Registered runners will receive a variety of items with their registration, inside their swag bag. All little lions should register in order to receive an event t-shirt.

The pre-race warm-up will take place at 8:15AM. Following the warm-up and welcome remarks, runners will gather in the starting corrals. All runners will be released in one wave, at 8:30AM.

The “Little Lions” kids race will begin at 9:15AM. Children will be released in one wave; older children should join the front of the line, and smaller children should gather near the back of the line.

Packet pick-up

Race packets will be available for pick-up at the PATCH Check-in Tent on race day. The Check-in Tent opens at 7:15AM and will be open until the Little Lions race begins at 9:15AM. Your packet will include your race bib, PATCH Run with the Lion t-shirt, coupons from our event sponsors, and various other items.

Bag check will not be provided on race day. If you bring personal belongings (I.D.s, phones, car keys, drinks/snacks, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, etc.), please be prepared to carry them with you on the course or leave them in your vehicle or with a friend.

 

PATCH

Blackberry Farm

Blackberry Farm

100 S. Barnes Rd.
Aurora, IL 60506
630-892-1550

Blackberry Farm is a living history museum where pioneer life is re-created through educational demonstrations and hands-on fun. Admission to Blackberry Farm includes unlimited rides on the train, hay wagon, pedal tractors, paddle boats, carousel, and ponies.

Blackberry Farm features and attractions include:

  • Adventure Playground: An extensive network of climbing decks, slides, ropes, and catwalk-style bridges connecting an array of playhouses on multiple levels with zip line.
  • Discovery Barn: See chickens, sheep, piglets, baby goats, and more.
  • Pioneer Cabin (1840s): Dutch oven cooking, candle dipping, soap making, heirloom gardens, butter making.
  • Wagner House (1840s): Post-and-beam constructed home from early downtown Aurora.
  • Pottery Shop (1850s): Visit P.H. Smith's Shop and experience many facets of 19th century pottery making–fired on site.
  • Blacksmith Shop (1900s): Watch the blacksmith at work on our forge.
  • Weaver's Cabin (1860s): Busy spinners card and spin wool and flax while weavers weave rugs and textiles on our antique looms.
  • One-Room Schoolhouse (1880s): See what learning was like for children in the classroom.
  • Huntoon House (1890s): Victorian room settings, treadle sewing, quilting, demonstrations, and exhibits.
  • Early Streets Museum: Features 12 old-fashioned shops.
  • Carriage House: Offers horse drawn vehicles.
  • Picnic Areas: Several public picnic areas are available throughout the park.
  • Summer Kitchen Concessions.

Course map

The 5K course measures 3.1 miles and takes place within the Blackberry Farm grounds and along the Virgil Gilman Nature Trail, between Barnes Road and Orchard Road. The Little Lions course measures 0.75 miles and takes place within the Blackberry Farm grounds, following the path that laps the lake. The terrain of both courses varies between pavement and crushed limestone/gravel.

ADULT COURSE

LITTLE LIONS COURSE

Runner swag

2022 Shirt

All runners will receive a swag bag, which includes:

  • Commemorative t-shirt (2024 design coming soon)
  • Official race bib
  • Various coupons to local businesses

The PATCH Foundation

In coordination with the PATCH Run with the Lion 5K, PDC 30 has partnered with the Painters & Allied Trades for Children’s Hope Foundation, or PATCH Foundation. The IUPAT PATCH Foundation provides financial support to local community organizations in need. Funds raised through PDC 30’s PATCH Run with the Lion 5K will be used to provide assistance with education, literacy, child illnesses, emotional well-being, poverty, and homelessness in communities throughout Illinois.

For more information on the IUPAT PATCH Foundation, please click here.

REGISTER

Registration for PDC 30’s PATCH Run with the Lion 5K is now open! Runners can register as individuals or as a group. Grab your family and friends, and sign up today!

Event Registration: $20

REGISTER NOW

 

Cancellation Policy  |   Weather Cancellation

EVENT SPONSORSHIP

Painters District Council No. 30 is passionate about creating a fun, healthy, and memorable experience for residents of our local community. We strive to create lasting partnerships with organizations that align with our mission and will enhance the event experience for participants and their families.

Race sponsorship proceeds will be donated to the PATCH Foundation, which provides financial support to local children-based community organizations in need. PATCH sponsorship donations help address education, literacy, child illnesses, emotional well-being, poverty, and homelessness in communities throughout Illinois.

We offer multiple sponsorship opportunity levels, detailed below. To become an event sponsor, please download the Event Sponsorship Form and follow the instructions for submitting your donation.

If you are interested in partnering with PDC 30’s PATCH Run with the Lion 5K

PLEASE FILL OUT THE SPONSORSHIP FORM

Sponsor Benefit Diamond Platinum Gold Silver Bronze
Logo at finish line & mile markers* ✓        
Giveaways included in race bags ✓ ✓      
Logo on PDC 30’s electronic sign ✓ ✓ ✓    
Free runners 10 10 10 5 2
Logo on runner shirts* ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓  
Business promotion online (website, social media, e-blasts) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
  $5,000 $3,500 $2,000 $1,000 $500

EVENT SPONSORSHIP FORM

*Sponsor logos must be received by August 15th to be featured on event signage and shirts.

We also accept food/beverage donations for our runners. For information on donating water or post-race snacks, please contact Marisa Richards at 630.377.2120 or mrichards@pdc30.com.

FAQ

No – runners of all levels are encouraged to participate in this event! PDC 30’s PATCH Run with the Lion 5K event is all about living a healthy lifestyle, and enjoying the outdoors with friends and family. You can run, jog, walk, or skip throughout the course if you’d like!

The PATCH Run with the Lion 5K is not a timed event. We suggest self-timing for anyone desiring a finish time.

Each registered runner will receive a PATCH Swag Bag, which includes a custom race t-shirt, race bib, and coupons to local businesses.

Funds raised through PDC 30’s PATCH Run with the Lion 5K will be donated to the Painters & Allied Trades for Children’s Hope Foundation, or PATCH Foundation. The IUPAT PATCH Foundation provides financial support to local community organizations in need. Donations are used to provide assistance with education, literacy, child illnesses, emotional well-being, poverty, and homelessness in communities throughout Illinois.

Yes, children can participate in three ways:

  1. Children who are comfortable with the 3.1 mile course may participate in the 5K race if they are accompanied by an adult ($20 registration fee).
  2. Children under 10 can participate in the Little Lions 1 mile course on their own or accompanied by an older sibling/friend/adult (No registration fee).
  3. Parents may also bring young children along the course in a stroller (No registration fee).

For the safety of our runners and pets, animals will not be allowed on our 5K course, or at Blackberry Farm.

Dress in light, breathable active wear. Avoid trying out new clothing or shoes on race day. Runners should dress like the weather is 20 degrees warmer than the reading on the thermometer.

Race swag bags will be available for pick-up at the PATCH Check-in Tent on race day. The Check-in Tent opens at 7:15am. Please bring a photo I.D. to claim your race packet and/or race packets for your family members.

Runners must pick up their own race packets – or race packets for their family members/children – on race day.

Bag check will not be provided on race day. If you bring personal belongings (I.D.s, phones, car keys, drinks/snacks, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, etc.), please be prepared to carry them with you while you run the course. If you do not wish to run with your personal belongings, please plan on leaving them at home, in your vehicle, or with a friend.

Unfortunately, refunds will not be issued if the event takes place as advertised.

For more information on our refund policy, see Cancellation Policy

Registrations are non-transferable.

The PATCH Run with the Lion 5K will take place, rain or shine! If there are major weather warnings during the weekend of the event, we will contact runners with updates.

In the event that severe weather does threaten the event, we have prepared some weather cancellation policies and guidelines.

See Weather Cancellation to learn more.

Yes! Here are some general event rules:

  • Alcohol is not allowed at the PATCH Run with the Lion 5K.
  • The PATCH Run with the Lion 5K is a non-smoking event.
  • Walkers and parents walking with strollers should join the starting corrals at the back of the line.
  • Access to the Gilman Trail will not be restricted for the general public; please be courteous and respectful to fellow runners, bicyclists, and others using the trail on race day.
  • If running with small children, please watch and direct them through the race.
  • Please follow any directions provided by race officials, volunteers, and law enforcement.
  • No glass bottles, containers etc. allowed at the venue (parking lots, sidewalks, streets, course, etc.).

Contact Us

General Inquiries

For all questions concerning PDC 30’s PATCH Run with the Lion 5K, please fill out the form below and one of our staff members will be in contact with you shortly. All fields are required.

Other Inquiries

If you are a runner with additional questions, an employee from the press, or an individual interested in sponsoring part of our event or participating as an event vendor, please contact us by phone or email:

630.377.2120

PATCH@pdc30.com