Special Events
Sock Hop (2022-23 3rd-5th Grade Byron Students)
Fun, Music, and Games! Calling all 2022-23 3rd-5th grade Byron students, it's time to grab your crazy socks and show off your dance moves to the musical entertainment of DJ Shine Productions! Back again is the very popular 5th grade lip sync contest! All lip sync groups must sign up at the Park District office and music must be pre-approved. Please send all music to Elaine Carow at ecarow@byronparks.org no later than 6/2. A maximum of 4 groups will be allowed to perform and will be honored in the order received. This event will take place at the Byron Middle School Gymnasium. The registration deadline is 6/9. Please help us provide the best experience possible by registering early and planning transportation in advance.
Byron Fest 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run - Presented By Weezy's
Join us for the Annual Byron Fest 5K Run! This 2023 Rockford Road Runners Circuit Race, and family friendly event, is held on the beautiful trails of the Byron Forest Preserve. The course features well maintained trails with panoramic views and a variety of terrain. Chip timing will be provided by Tri-3 Sports Timing. Plaques will be awarded to overall male and female finishers and medals will be awarded to top 3 male and female finishers in each age division. Not feeling up to a 5K? Join us for a 1 mile Fun Run! All Fun Run participants will receive a participation medal. Chip timing is not available for the Fun Run. Online registration closes Friday, July 7 at noon. Participants must be pre-registered by Friday, June 23 at noon to be guaranteed a race shirt. This event is non-refundable.
Date: Saturday, July 8
Location: Byron Forest Preserve Jarrett Prairie Center
Registration/Check-In: 7:00-7:45 am
5K Run/Walk Start Time: 8:00 am
Fee: Adult-$30* | Youth-$20*
*10% Discount for Rockford Road Runners or Rockford Wildcats Members
Fun Run Start Time: 8:05 am
Fun Run Fee: $10
Age Divisions: 0-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 & above.
For more information on the Rockford Road Runners visit www.rockfordroadrunners.org
Movie in the Park & Bike Parade - Presented by Byron Bank
Join us Saturday, August 26 for an evening of fun at Blackhawk Meadow Park! The evening will kick off with free food at 6:00 pm followed by the bike parade at 7:00 pm. Participants in the bike parade should plan to arrive with their bike decorated. The evening will conclude with an outdoor showing of The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Tiger 10 Miler Trail Race - Presented by Byron Bank
Join us for the 6th annual Tiger 10 Miler Trail Race and after party! This exciting 2023 Rockford Road Runners Circuit Race will take runners on ten miles of twists, turns, and hills within the Byron Forest Preserve and the more secluded Nardi Equine Prairie. All participants will receive a custom finisher's medal, shirt and our unique age group awards go 3 deep in 5-year brackets. Overall male & female winners and also male and female masters winners will receive awards and a cash prize. Special awards will be given for five-year finishers of the Tiger 10 Miler. Those five years don't have to be consecutive, just five total finishers. This is a "cup free" race so please bring your handheld water bottle or hydration pack as we won't have paper cups at our three aid stations in order to keep our trails clean and be environmentally friendly. Following the race, the after party will be held at the Hairy Cow Brewing Company from 10am to noon. Race participants will kick back and enjoy a complementary meal while awards, cash prizes, and door prizes are distributed!
Like or follow us on the socials @Tiger10Miler for updates and pictures of the course.
Date: Saturday, September 16
Time: 8:00 am* - 11:00 am
Race Location: Byron Forest Preserve
Check-in: 7:00-7:45 am at the Jarrett Prairie Center
*Walkers are welcome and will start at 7:30 am. The early start is assigned by performance and is not done by or for convenience to competitors. Byron Park District reserves the right to decide entry or not to early start. 18 minute mile pace will finish the course in 3 hours. The early start is out of respect to our volunteers and hopefully will shorten the amount of time they spend working on race days.
Packet Pickup:
Pre-race: Friday 9/15 at the Byron Park District front desk 5 pm-9 pm. 500 N. Colfax St. Byron, IL 61010 Door #55
Race day: Packet pickup will be at the race site 7 am-7:45 am.
Fees:
$60/person before July 6
$70/person July 7-August 31 (8/31 last day to guarantee a shirt)
$80/person September 1-race day
Age Groups: 0-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+
Online registration closes Friday, September 15 at noon.
For more information on the Rockford Road Runners visit www.rockfordroadrunners.org
For a complete list of our current program offerings including dates, times and fees, please visit our online registration site here:
