Date: October 24, 2026
Location: Lisle, IL
Distance: 5K
Verdict: Worth the miles.
Course & Scenery
The Fall Color 5K remains one of the most scenic races in the Chicago area. The course winds through the beautiful grounds of the Morton Arboretum, showcasing peak fall foliage, colorful seasonal displays, and tree-lined paths. Frost Hill makes its appearance immediately after the start and remains the biggest challenge of the course. It’s a significant choke point, and runners should plan accordingly. Once past the hill, however, the course opens up considerably and becomes much more free flowing.
As always, the course was clearly marked and easy to follow, allowing runners to relax and enjoy the autumn scenery. A few deer even bounded along the course through the woods for a stretch.
Race Organization
Registration and race-day logistics were once again smooth and efficient. Packet pickup remained available through Dick Pond Athletics (Chicagoland’s oldest running specialty store) prior to the race, with race-day pickup offered for an additional fee.
One nice addition this year was a sign-making station for spectators. Families and friends could create their own cheering signs using markers and supplies provided by the race organizers, adding extra energy and personality to the event.
Aid Stations & Amenities
The volunteer support continued to be outstanding. Water stations were well staffed and strategically located along the course. Medical personnel remained visible throughout the event.
A welcome change this year was the addition of complimentary non-alcoholic beverage options after the race. As an alternative to the beer ticket, participants who don’t drink beer could choose from coffee, hot chocolate, soda, or cider. As someone who appreciates a warm drink after a chilly fall race, I thought this was a fantastic improvement.
Atmosphere & Crowd Support
One of the race’s strengths continues to be its welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere. The Arboretum remains closed to the public during the event, limiting the number of spectators on the course itself. However, volunteers and race staff brought plenty of enthusiasm, and the handmade spectator signs added a fun new element this year.
The live music and post-race festivities kept the celebration going after runners crossed the finish line.
Swag & Medals
The race continues to offer quality swag and beautiful age group awards. The race t-shirt was soft oatmeal colored cotton with a cute map of the course on the back in a bright and cheerful orange. Only the top three finishers in each age group received medals with a colorful wooden leaf design. Something to aspire to in the future!
Weather & Timing
The weather once again cooperated, around 50 degrees at the race start, providing classic fall racing conditions. Timing was accurate and results were posted promptly.
Personal Performance
This year’s race marked a personal best for me, which made an already enjoyable race even more memorable. I experimented with a 60:30 run-walk interval strategy based on the Jeff Galloway method, and it worked remarkably well.
One of the biggest surprises was the psychology behind the approach. Taking a walk break before feeling tired allowed me to maintain a stronger pace throughout the race. Instead of using walk intervals to recover from fatigue, they became a tool to prevent fatigue from building in the first place. By the time I reached the final mile, I still felt strong and in control.
Final Ruling
The Fall Color 5K remains one of my favorite local races. Between the beautiful autumn scenery, excellent organization, enthusiastic volunteers, and thoughtful improvements like the spectator sign station and non-alcoholic drink options, it’s easy to see why runners return year after year.
And yes, the unique challenge of our favorite relic of the Ice Age, Frost Hill, the highest point on the east side of the arboretum, will always be waiting for you at the start of the Fall Color 5K.
Verdict: Worth the miles.
You may also want to check out my recap of the 2025 Fall Color 5K.
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