MLK Jr. Freedom Run 5K/10K/13.1 CHICAGO/EVANSTON

MLK Jr. Freedom Run 5K/10K/13.1 CHICAGO/EVANSTON is run in the Chicago area of Illinois on January 16, 2027, one date in a national series that marks the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. All four options start at 7:30 a.m.: the half marathon (13.1 miles), the 10K, the 5K and a one mile family fun run. Chips are not used, so the day is about the distance rather than the result. Entrants get a bib, a shirt, a finisher towel and a medal, and a virtual entry is available.

Mid January sits in the off season for most runners, which is exactly what makes an untimed event useful: it puts a date on the calendar without demanding a taper or a peak. Treat the half as a long run with company, or the 10K as your first real effort of the year. If you are aiming at a spring marathon, this is a natural place to cover 13.1 at your intended long run pace and learn something honest about your fitness.