Rosehill Cemetery ‘Crypt’ 5K Run/Walk

Details

Saturday, October 18, 2025
5K Chip-Timed Run: 7:00pm | 5K Fun Run/Walk: 7:15pm
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Overview

Join Us for Fall’s Most ‘Spirited’ Event!

Get ready for a hauntingly unforgettable night at the 12th Annual Rosehill Cemetery Crypt 5K! This one-of-a-kind race takes place on the historic grounds of Chicago’s largest cemetery, the sprawling 350-acre Victorian-era Rosehill Cemetery, established in 1864.

Year after year, runners and walkers return for this thrilling nighttime adventure—and it’s easy to see why! The entire course is illuminated by candlelight, casting eerie glows on the statues and mausoleums along the way. But don’t be AFRAID TO RUN IN THE DARK… or should you be? 👻

As you make your way through the cemetery, you’ll pass stunning monuments, intricate headstones, and the final resting places of some of Chicago’s most notable figures. Among Rosehill’s eternal residents: 10 Chicago mayors, Oscar Mayer, John G. Shedd, legendary Cubs announcer Jack Brickhouse, advertising icon Leo Burnett, Sears founder Julius Rosenwald, and scores of Civil War veterans.

After the race, keep the spirits high at our post-run celebration at Fireside Inn, located just across the street!

Don’t miss this unique, spine-tingling experience—register today and be part of one of Chicago’s most talked-about fall traditions!

2024 RACE RESULTS

2023 RACE RESULTS

 


CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

 

Fees:

Sunday, January 1 to Thursday, August 1
5K Chip-Timed Run: $45
5K Fun Run/Walk: $40

Friday, August 2 to Wednesday, October 15
5K Chip-Timed Run: $48
5K Fun Run/Walk: $43

Pre-Registration & Race Day Fees
5K Chip-Timed Run: $52
5K Fun Run/Walk: $45

Pre-register or pick-up your packet
at Fleet Feet Lincoln Square!

4762 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625

Thursday, October 16 – Noon to 7pm
Friday, October 17 – Noon to 7pm

Can’t pick up your packet in advance?  No worries!  Race day pick up starts at 5:30pm.  We HIGHLY recommend pre-race pick up as lines can be long!

 

Race Day Registration:

Register race day starting at 5:30pm!

 

Pre-Registration & Race Day Fees
5K Chip-Timed Run: $52
5K Fun Run/Walk: $45

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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MAP

Note:  We continuously monitor the race course in advance to anticipate any damage, however, please note, we always have a medic on-site and able to assist for your safety.

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Keep the Spirits High at Fireside Restaurant’s Post-Race Celebration!

The fun doesn’t stop at the finish line! Fireside Restaurant is once again hosting our post-race celebration, and you won’t want to miss it. Conveniently located right across from the start/finish area, this cozy and welcoming spot is the perfect place to unwind after your spirited run or walk.

Enjoy a complimentary sponsored beverage, savor delicious food (available for purchase), and soak in the lively atmosphere. Plus, we’ll be announcing the overall winners before the DJ spins some spook-tastic tunes to keep the party going!

Everyone is welcome—not just race participants—so bring your friends, family, and fellow thrill-seekers for a hauntingly good time!

 

 

Where to I park?
Because this race is gaining in popularity, parking can be tricky.  Public transportation is HIGHLY recommended.  If you must drive, in order to combat the crowds, we recommend parking on Ashland Ave (east of the event) or Bryn Mawr (west of Ravenswood).  Both are a few blocks from the event site.

Are strollers allowed?
Due to the sharp turns (and there are many of them) and the darkness of the course, we do not recommend strollers.  If you choose to use a stroller, you MUST stay behind all running and be extremely cautious of other runners.

Can I run with my dog/pet?
Sorry, pets are not allowed within the cemetery grounds.

What do I wear?
Please plan for the weather of course! Some participants wear costumes and many bring glow sticks (we also provide them) to light up their race. You are also allowed to bring head lamps … just be respect of other participants.

Rosehill Cemetery is a Victorian era cemetery on the North Side and at 350 acres, is the largest cemetery in the City of Chicago. The name “Rosehill” resulted from a City Clerk’s error — the area was previously called “Roe’s Hill”, named for nearby farmer Hiram Roe. He refused to sell his land to the city until it was promised that the cemetery be named in his honor.

Check out these interesting structures and monuments throughout the cemetery (find out even more at graveyards.com/IL/Cook/rosehill/:

The road into the cemetery passes under a railroad overpass that obscures the view of Rosehill’s beautiful main gate. This castellated Gothic structure of Joliet Limestone was built in 1864, designed by architect William W. Boyington.

These abandoned stone stairs lead up from the area just outside Rosehill’s main gate to the train tracks. When the tracks were first constructed in the previous century, the operators of the Chicago and North Western line had a special funeral car, built to hold a casket. Rosehill, Oak Woods, Waldheim and Concordia were all several miles from the city, but convenient by train. An elevator would lower the casket from the train platform to ground level.

This incredible sculpture is protected from the elements by a glass box. It dominates its small section, surrounded by a few flat headstones (including that of Horatio O. Stone, who commissioned the work when his young wife died in childbirth). The sculpture is signed “C.B. Ives, Roma 1866” The Pearce monument is said to be haunted– supposedly, on the anniversary of Frances’ death, the glass box will be filled with a mysterious white mist.

The mausoleum of railroad president Darius Miller was constructed with an Egyptian motif – note the ornate column capitals, and the winged scarab above the doorway. Miller’s tomb is in one of the more prestigious sections of Rosehill, near the lake and chapel.

This underground tomb, belonging to “E.A. Fisher” and apparently constructed in 1902, has been sealed – the stairs down to the entrance filled in with dirt, and the windows on top plugged with cement. This is commonly done to reduce maintenance costs, after an old in-ground mausoleum is filled to capacity and unlikely to receive visitors.

Looking to connect with active consumers at this event? For pricing and a customized benefits package, please contact Karyn Terrones at [email protected] or 773-584-6625.

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