Rosehill Cemetery ‘Crypt’ 5K Run/Walk

Details

Sat, October 21, 2023
5K Chip-Timed Run: 7:00pm | 5K Fun Run/Walk: 7:15pm
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Overview

Check out fall’s most ‘spirited’ event! It’s the 11th annual 5K on the grounds of the north side’s historic Rosehill Cemetery. Run or walk on the sprawling 350-acre Victorian-era cemetery that opened in 1864. It’s by far the largest cemetery in the City of Chicago (and second largest in Illinois).

We’ve made a few improvements to the 2023 race including:
– Separating the chip-timed and fun-run starts (this way there won’t be such a bottleneck for the first mile!).
– Adding an additional gender category (options include male, female and non-binary — these will carry over to age group awards as well!).
– More lit statues! Keep an eye out for more and different lit statues on the course!

Monuments! Mausoleums! Scenic paths! And then there’s the eternal spirits who reside in Rosehill. Among them: more than 10 Chicago mayors, Oscar Mayer, John G. Shedd, Cubs’ announcer Jack Brickhouse, legendary adman Leo Burnett, Sears founder Julius Rosenwald and scores of Civil War vets are just a few of the souls who call Rosehill home.

In addition, there will also be a post run/walk party.

CLICK HERE FOR 2022 RACE RESULTS

CLICK HERE FOR 2021 RACE RESULTS

 

Register Now

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

 

Fees:

Through Saturday, December 31, 2022
5K Chip-Timed Run: $35  – $40
5K Fun Run/Walk: $30   – $35

Sunday, January 1 to Tuesday, September 1
5K Chip-Timed Run: $40  – $45
5K Fun Run/Walk: $35    – $40

Wednesday, September 2 to Wednesday, October 18
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 19 – Noon to 7pm
Friday, October 20 – 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: $48
5K Fun Run/Walk: $42

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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MAP

fireside logo black 1024x988Fireside Restaurant will host our post-race celebration once again!  Located right across from the start/finish area, this cozy establishment is the perfect spot to come after your run/walk and enjoy a complimentary sponsored beverage and delicious food (for an additional charge).  Plus, we’ll be announcing the overall and age group winners before the band plays some spook-tastic tunes!  Everyone is welcome (not just participants)!

 

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 Norine Smyth at 312-799-0354 or Laura Wilke at 773-584-6669.

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