BAPA 2025 Ridge Run And Memorial Day Parade: Know Before You Go

CHICAGO – The sound of running shoes hitting the pavement will thunder through the Beverly Area Planning Association’s 47th Ridge Run on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.

Runners of all ages, paces and distances are invited to lace up their shoes and participate. Compete for overall wins or simply race to place in age categories for overall wins or simply race to place in age categories ranging from 6 to 80.

The Ridge Run, long considered Chicago’s favorite neighborhood race, takes participants through the Ridge Historic District to run the 10K run, 5K run and walk and Youth Mile run routes. Cheering spectators line the route, offering encouragement, water and energy to the runners. Races start and finish at Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Drive.

Memorial Day along Longwood Drive is an unofficial kickoff to summer with the Ridge Run races, followed by the Memorial Day Parade that keeps people out-and-about in the area until the early afternoon.

Whether you are running in one of the races, have an entry in the parade or plan to come out to watch all the action in front of your beautiful home, here's what to know about the big day and how to prepare.

Registration

Online registration for the BAPA Ridge Run is closed, but runners and walkers can still register in advance and pick up their packets Saturday, May 24, from noon to 5 p.m. at Running Excels, 10328 S. Western, Chicago, and Sunday, May 25, noon to 4 p.m. at Ridge Park.

Race day registration opens at Ridge Park Monday, May 26 starting at 6:30 a.m. for participants signing up for the 10K run, 5K run or the untimed walk, Ridge Run Challenge 5K and 10K, and, for kids up to age 12, the untimed Youth Mile.

Advanced Registration Fees

5K $40
10K $55
5K and 10K Ridge Run Challenge $80
5K Walk (Untimed) $25
Youth Mile (6 - 12yrs) $20
Active Military $15

Race Day Registration Fees

5K $50
10K $65
5K and 10K Ridge Run Challenge $90
5K Walk (Untimed) $35
Youth Mile (6 - 12yrs) $30
Active Military $15

Ridge Run

The BAPA Ridge Run is marking its 47th year in 2025. It originated the same year as the first Chicago Marathon and one year before the birth of the South Side Irish Parade. Over 3,000 runners are anticipated.

The Course

The Ridge Run races start and end at Ridge Park, covering much of Longwood Drive as far south as 110th Street, heading as far west as Oakley Avenue and continuing on a good chunk of Hoyne and Seeley avenues. The 5K wraps around Longwood and Seeley with turns at 108th Place and 103rd Street.

Both races include many steep grades of the Blue Island Ridge, the highest hill in the city of Chicago.

Schedule of Running Events

6:30 AM - Registration Opens at Ridge Park
7:15 AM - Stretch in the Park Led by TS Yoga Studio
7:30 AM - Youth Mile and 10K Registration Closes
8 AM - 10K Race Start
8:10 AM - Youth Mile Start
9 AM - 5K Registration Closes
9:30 AM - 5K Race Start - Walk to Follow

Memorial Day Ceremony And Parade

After the running events, the Memorial Day ceremony honoring the men and women in the U.S. armed forces who have given their lives in service to our country, will be held at 9 a.m. at Ridge Park. Immediately following, the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade, led this year by Grand Marshal Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County, commences.

The parade steps off between 10:30 and 11 a.m., from 110th Place, traveling north down Longwood Drive to join the Ridge Run post-race festival at Ridge Park.

Post Race

Run and parade spectators and participants are invited to enjoy food, beverages, information from event sponsors, and the popular Tot Trot will take place at about 10:15 a.m.

Little ones can compete in the annual Tot Trot and there will be other activities for kids as well.

Volunteers

Volunteers are sought to work at the registration tables, water stations and serve as course marshals for the Ridge Run. For information, email BAPA or download their volunteer guide. Volunteers get a great view of the racing action and a 'Love Where You Live' volunteer t-shirt. Sign up to volunteer here.

Sponsors

The presenting sponsor of the Ridge Run is OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Center, which generously provides the day's health necessities, including the Ridge Run doctor and first aid tent. The hospital has been a vital health resource for the community for more than 90 years and continues to achieve accolades for quality through its revolutionary medical technologies and services both at its home and satellite locations.

Other participating sponsors include: 19th Ward Youth Foundation, Always Ready Repair, Bailey Acupuncture, Beverly Arts Center, Beverly Bank, Beverly Cabinets & Construction Beverly Companies, Beverly Hills Animal Hospital, Butcher Box, CGT Aesthetics, Club Pilates Evergreen Park, County Fair Foods, Davey's Tree Expert Company, Ed Rodgers, Keir Foot & Ankle Specialists, Made Good, Mike Haggerty Buick, GMC, OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center, Well With All, Original Rainbow Cone, Research by Design, Running Excels, Southtown Health Food, State Farm, John Harrell , Treadfit, Two Mile Coffee Bar and UChicago Medicine.