Sat, Sep 12, 2026

Hope Fest 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run

Marion, IL

Registration openAnnual since at least 2024
5K1K

About the Hope Fest 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run

The course starts and finishes on the grounds of a church near Marion's airport, running on asphalt and concrete through flat terrain. There are no significant climbs to speak of, which tends to make for quick times. After the main run wraps up, a kids fun run goes off on a short course in the same area.

Packet pickup happens on-site the morning of the race, before the start. The event is held rain or shine, and once the racing is done, participants can stay for the Hope Fest gathering on the church grounds.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, and the field is fairly quick, so expect a competitive front.

5K · 2025 results

14finishers
22:38winner
29:46median
44:03cutoff

Top 3: Josh May (22:38) · Amod Vidhuni (23:19) · Matt Ohmes (24:13)

The Hope Fest 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run has been held every year since at least 2024. 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

5K9/12/2026 10:00$25
5K9/12/2026 10:01$25
1K9/12/2026 10:45$15

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.

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Common Questions About the Hope Fest 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run

Will I finish last at the Hope Fest 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 29:46, and the last recorded finisher came in around 44:03, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Hope Fest 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run a good first 5K?

It is a small race (14 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. 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 Hope Fest 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run?

The 5K winner ran 22:38 while the median finisher took 29:46. That spread points to a relatively quick field, so expect a competitive front end.

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