Category: Race Info (Page 1 of 2)

Since March, we have been working diligently to host a rescheduled 2020 Penguin in the Park in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, we have continued to monitor conditions and data as we prioritize everyone’s health and safety. We have determined that hosting an in-person 2020 Penguin in the Park is not the safest for everyone involved.

All hope is not lost!  We have decided to host a Virtual 2020 Penguin in the Park from Saturday, October 10 through Sunday, October 18.  Complete with race goodie bags, t shirts, fleece head warmer compliments of Staley Credit Union, finisher medal, results, and more!  If you previously registered for the race in March, you are automatically included in this event.  Registration is reopened through Wednesday, October 7 to meet the demand of others who would like to join us.

Packet Pickup

• A socially distanced packet pickup will take place on Saturday, October 10th from 9AM-1PM at the large pavilion in Fairview Park
  • Masks are required to pick up your packet
  • To limit foot traffic,  please send one representative from your family or group of friends group to pick up your race bag.
  • If you do not live in the following counties, you will have your race bag and finisher medal mailed to you free of charge if not picked up at packet pickup.
    • Counties not eligible for free shipping: Champaign, Christian, Coles, De Witt, Douglas, Effingham, Logan, Macon, McLean, Menard, Moultrie, Piatt, Sangamon
    • It may take up to two weeks following October 10 to receive your race bag
    • If you live in one of the counties listed above and you do not know someone who can pick up your race bag for you, you may elect to have your packet shipped for an additional $8. Details on how to request shipping are forthcoming.
  • If you previously registered for the Virtual 5K, your race packet will be shipped for free.
  • Additional details will follow as we get closer to race day.

Additional Registration Info

• Online Registration closes at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, October 7. There are no processing fees associated with online registration.
• No other registrations will be allowed other than those online and prior to the registration cutoff of Wednesday, October 7, 11:59 pm.
• $1 discount for Decatur Running Club Members, Millikin Students/Alum/Faculty/Staff, and Decatur Indoor Sports Center Members. Not eligible for multiple discounts.
• Registration assumes participation. If you are not able to participate, you are still eligible to receive your t-shirt and race bag. Refunds will not be issued.

Stuff We All Get!

• Short sleeve performance cotton t-shirt
• Fleece head warmer compliments of Staley Credit Union
• Penguin finisher medal
• Goodie bag with snacks and a commemorative 15 year anniversary button

Entry Fee

• All registrations are $30. You can register online here.

Submitting Your Result

An important part of this Virtual Race is submitting your time so that you can see how you rank, much like a traditional run.  Beginning October 10th you will be able to submit your time.  Simply run your own 5K route (socially distanced) when it is convenient for you. To submit your virtual time, click the following link. (Note: link will not work and you cannot submit a result prior to Oct 10)  By your name, click EDIT TIME.  You can submit results from Oct 10 – Oct 18.  Final results will be available at the same link on Oct 19, 2020.

Why Penguin in the Park?

Penguin in the Park 5K Run/Walk will be celebrating its milestone 15th anniversary in 2020! After his namesake, the Penguin, John Bingham, inspires us all to get out there and be active. Penguin in the Park is the largest (and friendliest) 5K in the Decatur area. This race embraces the Penguin in all of us — a race for the speedy, and those who want to take their time and enjoy the course! All proceeds will help benefit the Decatur Indoor Sports Center youth programs and Millikin’s John “The Penguin” Bingham Scholarship.

Race Information
We’re excited to have you participate in the 14th Penguin in the Park 5K on Saturday, March 30. If you haven’t registered yet, there is still time. You can register at Packet Pickup (read below) or prior to the race for $35.

The morning should be filled with enthusiasm, a great race course, and fellowship with fellow runners and walkers.  This email contains important information about packet pickup and race day, so please read on.

Packet Pick Up
▪ Pick up your race packet on Friday at Staley Credit Union on N. Woodford in Decatur between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. click here for directions. Participants who pick up their packet on Friday are automatically entered in a drawing for a $25 Visa gift card.

▪ Race packets may also be picked up prior to the race on Saturday between 7:15 am and 8:30 am.

Parking and Pre-Race
We are expecting large turnout this year, so parking will be difficult. We recommend that you park in one of the Millikin parking lots along Fairview Ave (in front of Kirkland Fine Arts Center or next to Westminster Church). Click here for a campus map. This will allow you easy access to both Fairview Park and Griswold Gym for the post-race party with a little warm-up and cool down walk to and from both locations.

▪ Prior to the race, Millikin’s student-run venture Blue Brew, will be on site selling hot drinks to keep you warm and gear you up for the race.

The Race
▪ The race is electronically timed by a “chip” that is integrated into your bib number. You must wear your bib on your front across your stomach (and visible). Your bib DOES NOT have to be returned or the tag torn when you cross through the chute and is disposable. Remember, no bib… NO TIME!

▪ A map of the race course can be found here

Post-Race Party
When you are finished with the race, grab a cup of water and head over to Millikin’s Griswold Center for the post race party where you’ll find food, water provided by Pepsi, pasta, and famous Ray’s Chili.

Check out the prize table to see if you have won a gift certificate or other goodies provided by our generous sponsors.

We will also have past Penguin in the Park 5K items for sale in addition to window decals designed and printed by Trump Direct. You may obtain a window decal for a donation into the John Bingham Scholarship Fund.

Remember that “The miracle isn’t that you finished. It’s that you had the courage to start.”
We look forward to having you in Fairview Park this weekend and we’re excited about another great Penguin in the Park.

Happy Waddling,
Penguin in the Park Race Committee

Looking for race results? They’re being streamed online in real time, compliments of It’s Race Time.

We’re excited to have you participate in the 13th Penguin in the Park 5K on Saturday, March 24.  Important information about this weekend’s race is contained in this post, so please read thoroughly. 

• The 5K will begin promptly at 9:00 am.
• Move towards the start line by 8:50 for prayer, and pre-race instructions.
• The 300 meter Penguin Dash will begin at 8:30. The little penguins will be led to the start line. Meet by the bathrooms near the bike bath at 8:15.
• The forecast looks like it could get soggy. Come prepared as the event will go on rain or shine. Penguins like to get wet 🙂 The race directors will make a determination to delay, postpone, or cancel the race if participants’ safety is at risk, due to events such as lightning.
• The race is electronically timed by a “chip” that is integrated into your bib number. You must wear your bib on your front across your stomach (and visible). Your bib DOES NOT have to be returned or the tag torn when you cross through the chute and is disposable. Remember, no bib… NO TIME!
• You can still register for the race on race day between 7 am and 8:30 am.
• Race course map

Packet Pick Up

• Pick up your race packet on Friday at Staley Credit Union on N. Woodford in Decatur between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. click here for directions.
• Participants who pick up their packet on Friday are automatically entered in a drawing for a $25 Visa gift card.
• Race packets may also be picked up prior to the race on Saturday between 7 am and 8:30 am.

Parking and Pre-Race

• We are expecting a lot of folks, so parking will be difficult. We recommend that you park in one of the Millikin parking lots along Fairview Ave (in front of Kirkland Fine Arts Center or next to Westminster Church). Click here for campus map. This will allow you easy access to both Fairview Park and Griswold Gym for the post-race party with a little warm-up and cool down walk to and from both locations.
• Prior to the race, Millikin’s Blue Brew student-run venture will be in the pavilion selling coffee and hot chocolate.

Post-Race Party

• When you are finished with the race, grab a cup of water and head over to Millikin’s Griswold Center for the post race party where you’ll find good food, water provided by Pepsi, pasta, and famous Ray’s Chili.
• Check out the prize table to see if you have won a gift certificate or other goodies provided by our generous sponsors.
• Vintage Penguin in the Park 5K items will be for sale like t-shirts and race bags for $5.

Remember that “The miracle isn’t that you finished. It’s that you had the courage to start.”

We look forward to having you in Fairview Park this weekend and we’re excited about another great Penguin in the Park.

Happy Waddling,
Penguin in the Park Race Committee

Can you believe it? Race week is here! We’re excited to have you this weekend for Penguin in the Park. Whether this is your first race with us or your 13th race with us, John Bingham has some important race week tips for you all.

Are you traveling to Decatur for Penguin in the Park this year? With the assistance of one of our community partners, the Decatur Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau has secured discounted hotel rates for race weekend. These special rates are valid for Friday and Saturday night. Simply call the hotel of your choice and let them know you are in town for Penguin in the Park.  Negotiated rates can be found under our website under Accommodations.

A sneak peak at the race bags the first 1,000 registrants for this year’s Penguin in the Park 5K.