Events
Place
2808 S Race St
Urbana, IL US 61802
Description
The 26th annual Rattlesnake Master Run for the Prairie includes a 10K and 5K run and 5K walk that benefits Grand Prairie Friends, a non-profit land trust and conservation group in central Illinois. This race circles the beautiful 130-acre Meadowbrook Park and prairie in Urbana, Illinois and includes some trail running. It offers a low entry fee, race medals, optional t-shirts, music, and friendly volunteers.
If you can't attend the race in person, support Grand Prairie Friends and participate in our virtual races. Run the distance you want, where and when you want, between Oct 1 and Nov 3 and send us your time. Virtual race times will be posted but not considered for medals.
Come celebrate 26 years of races! Runners of all ages welcome!
Registration: Starts 8/19/2024
Shirts: Available for all registrations received by Sunday, Oct 20.
Entry fees: Register by Oct 20 to get the lowest price.
Post Race Activities: Race awards and music at the Garden Pavilion in Meadowbrook Park. Food and beverage free to participants.
Medals given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category. If the age brackets are sparsely filled we may recognize the top five overall.
10K Run:
- WOMEN: Ages: 0-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over
- MEN: Ages: 0-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over
- NON-BINARY: 0-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over
5K Run:
- WOMEN: Ages: 0-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over
- MEN: 0-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over
- NON-BINARY: 0-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over
5K Walk:
-
Ages: 0-35, 36-49, 50 and over
Regulations:
- No dogs, strollers, or hiking poles
- No refunds
- Applicable state and local COVID guidelines will apply
Parking: Meadowbrook Park lots near playground and Race St. entrance. Grass lot on southwest corner of Windsor and Race.
Packet Pickup: Race packets available noon-4pm on Saturday, Nov 2 at Body n' Sole, 1317 Dunlap, Savoy, IL (217-356-8926).
Packets also available on race day from 8-8:45am at the Garden Pavilion in Meadowbrook Park near the Race Street Parking Lot.
Race start: 9am. Don't forget the time change!
Race Website
Additional race information can be found at http://www.grandprairiefriends.org.
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
What is a Rattlesnake Master?
Rattlesnake Master is a flowering plant native to the tallgrass prairie. It grows in prairies in central Illinois like those owned by Grand Prairie Friends and Urbana Park District's Meadowbrook Park. It's scientific name, Eryngium yuccifolium, is a clue that its leaves are yucca-like. The globe shaped seed heads and spiny leaves offers a unique appearance in one's garden. Grand Prairie Friend's annual native plant sale in May offers this particular plant - look us up next spring to get your very own!
So why this name? In the past, the dried seed heads were used as rattles by native Americans. Pioneers thought the roots was an antidote to rattlesnake bite, but this was not the case.
Thank You for Supporting Grand Prairie Friends
Grand Prairie Friends is non-profit and volunteer led, relying largely on fundraisers, membership fees, and donations to steward and protect forever over 1200 acres of native habitat in central Illinois. These prairies, woodlands, and wetlands are open to the public and our largest property, Warbler Ridge Conservation Area, has over 10 miles of hiking trails.
Your entry fees and donations contribute to their preservation. Visit https://www.grandprairiefriends.org/places-we-protect to learn about our preserves.
10K Course Map
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5K Course Map
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