IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

Thank you all for joining us for our first Virtual Race! We are so grateful for your support in these critical times.See timing results below.

For questions, please contact Molly Speckman at mspeckman@northernilfoodbank.org

To view the complete list of submitted race times, please see our race spreadsheet that organizes the submitted times by Gender Category and Age Group. See a summary of our top finishers here:

Timing

To be considered for the Award Medal placement, participants will be responsible for recording their own race time. This can be number with a number of Running/Fitness Apps (examples: Map My Run, Strava, etc.), or with a watch or other timing device.

All participants must complete their run and submit their race time between Saturday, April 18th and Saturday, April 25th. We're allowing this extended window to allow for best social distancing practices to be followed. 

On the day of the race, you can check back to this page for the link to our Form for submitting your time. We will also be sending this out via e-mail to all registered Virtual Race participants.

Awards will be announced on Monday, April 27th.

As the Food Bank continues to monitor the spreading of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and per the mandate of Illinois public officials, Northern Illinois Food Bank will be transforming our annual Foodie 5K scheduled to take place at Cantigny Park in Wheaton on April 18 to an entirely virtual race.

While the Foodie 5K is a critical fundraiser for the Food Bank, we feel this is the best course of action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our participants, volunteers, and staff.

Right now, food banks are responding to the growing implications of this public health threat. As businesses and school systems change their operations, there is a ripple effect for the families and seniors already facing hunger. The community is counting on us to be ready to respond to this emergency.

For that reason, we are taking The Foodie 5K - Wheaton VIRTUAL!

While we won't be together in person, we can be together in spirit, showing the strength of our community and the passion we have to solve hunger. All existing Wheaton registrations have been transferred to our Virtual Race. As of now, the Libertyville 5K is to proceed as planned.

Here's how you can support our mission:

1. Please continue fundraising and consider a special ask to your network to support the Food Bank in this time of uncertainty. A donation of $25 will help provide $200 worth of groceries and keep our essential services going.

2. Take a selfie while walking in your neighborhood, rocking your treadmill, or spinning on your bike this weekend! Help us keep the energy of Foodie 5K going by posting your photo to Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and using the hashtag #Foodie5K. You can also join us at our Event Page to receive continued updates as new information will be added regularly.
    

You can still receive our exclusive fundraising incentives by raising money to help feed our neighbors!  This year’s unique t-shirt will still be available to anyone who registers before the t-shirt deadline (April 3rd).  Rock your gear during our virtual event; all t-shirts, fundraising incentives, and finisher medals will be distributed before the race.  These items can be picked up at Northern Illinois Food Bank’s West Suburban Center (273 Dearborn Court, Geneva) on Friday, April 17th from 7AM-7PM.

Finally, we want to thank our generous sponsors, whose care and commitment to our community allows us to continue to feed families in need. Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Kellogg’s.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. And we look forward to when we can once again join together for this annual tradition.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Molly Speckman at mspeckman@northernilfoodbank.org or 630-443-6910 ext 196.

To make sure that everyone gets their Race Day goodies while still maintaining safe social-distancing procedures, we’ve updated our plan for our Drive-Thru Packet Pick-up.

Dates & Times: 

• Friday, April 17th from 7 AM - 7 PM
• Saturday, April 18th from 10 AM - 2 PM

Location: Northern Illinois Food Bank, West Suburban Center, 273 Dearborn Court, Geneva, IL 60134

Each Participant Packet Will Include:

• Foodie 5K T-Shirt for all who registered before the April 3rd T-Shirt Deadline (after deadline, t-shirts are as supplies last)

• Unique Finisher Medal

• Sponsor Giveaways & Treats

We will also be giving out any earned fundraising incentive items at this time; if you continue raising funds after pick-up and earn the next prize level(s), we will then coordinate for a later pickup/delivery after the race.

Participants can drive up to the Food Bank, and please make your way towards our Main Entrance, following the orange arrows and Foodie 5K sign. A staff member or volunteer will ask for the names you are picking up for.

To reduce the amount of people on the road, we will allow participants to pick-up other teammates’ or participants’ swag bags. Please coordinate with your Team or group if you’d like to designate one person to pick-up all of the bags. You can then hold onto their items or coordinate your own Porch Drop-Offs to maintain social distance.

A staff member or volunteer will bring your packets to your car, and then you can proceed to exit the Parking Lot.

Q: Why is the in-person event cancelled?

A: Due to growing concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) the Illinois State Governor has issued a ban that mandates all events over 1000 people be canceled through May 1st. In compliance with this mandate, the Foodie 5K in Wheaton has transformed from an in-person festival to a virtual event.
 

Q: What is a virtual race?

A: A virtual race is almost exactly the same as an in-person race, but instead of running along the same course, participants can complete the 5 kilometers anywhere they choose.  You can race against your treadmill, take your laps around the neighborhood, or walk your dog for the day! The possibilities are endless, and YOUR 5K is up to you!
 

Q: How do I track or submit my times?

A: To be considered for the Award Medal placement, participants will be responsible for recording their own race time. This can be number with a number of Running/Fitness Apps (examples: Map My Run, Strava, etc.), or with a watch or other timing device.

All participants must complete their run and submit their race time between Saturday, April 18th and Saturday, April 25th. We're allowing this extended window to allow for best social distancing practices to be followed. 

Q: Will I still get my t-shirt and medal? My prizes?

A: Yes!  All participants who register before the t-shirt cut off date (April 3) will receive the 2020 Foodie 5K shirt.  All participants will also receive a finisher medal and a swag bag filled with goodies from our sponsors. Our fundraising incentives are also still available, so we encourage you to continue raising money to feed our neighbors.
 

Q: What if I signed up for the Libertyville race? (Independence Grove)

A: As of this time, there have been no changes to the Libertyville race (June 6).  If you are signed up for the Libertyville race, keep training and fundraising! 
 

Q: Can I be refunded?

A: We are grateful for your continued support of our mission, particularly as we anticipate growing need in our community. If you have registered to participate at the Wheaton event, you have been automatically registered for the Virtual Race event and will still receive a t-shirt, finisher medal, and participant swag bag.  To discuss your registration, please contact Molly Speckman by e-mail (mspeckman@northernilfoodbank.org) or at 630-443-6910 ext. 196.