Sun, Sep 27, 2026

DeKalb Corn Classic

DeKalb, IL

Registration openAnnual since at least 2018

10K5K

Entry is $30 now and rises to $35 after Jul 30, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the DeKalb Corn Classic

The route starts and finishes in downtown DeKalb, looping through historic neighborhoods, along the Kishwaukee River at Prairie Park, and across a university campus, including a pass through the football stadium. Live music lines the course from multiple bands, including a marching band and a jazz ensemble, so there is sound around you for much of the run.

The post-race celebration lands in Van Buer Plaza, right in the heart of downtown, which keeps the finish area lively well after the last runners come through.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a decent-sized field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

5K · 2025 results

376finishers

18:30winner

35:03median

1:16:59cutoff

Top 3: Colin Young (18:30) · Phil Meyer (19:12) · Eric Dewey (19:26)

10K · 2025 results

277finishers

35:19winner

1:00:40median

1:55:02cutoff

Top 3: Aiden Tomlinson (35:19) · Eric Escobedo (36:51) · Zakary Prielipp (37:40)

The DeKalb Corn Classic has been held every year since at least 2018. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 5K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

10K9/27/2026 08:15$40

5K9/27/2026 08:30$30

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the DeKalb Corn Classic

Will I finish last at the DeKalb Corn Classic?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 35:03, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:16:59, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the DeKalb Corn Classic a good first 5K?

A field of 376 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 5K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the DeKalb Corn Classic?

The 5K winner ran 18:30 while the median finisher took 35:03. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.