27th Annual Race Against Hate To Bring Thousands To Evanston

EVANSTON, IL — Evanston will again host the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate on Father's Day, with organizers planning the 27th annual event for Sunday, June 21, at Floyd Long Field, 2436 Sheridan Rd.

The community run-walk is hosted by YWCA Evanston/North Shore, and thousands of participants are expected from across Chicagoland.

The event begins at 7:30 a.m. and includes a 10K race, a 5K race and a youth fun run. Organizers describe it as one of the largest racial justice run-walk events in the nation, bringing people together to run and walk in unity against racial hatred and violence.

The Race Against Hate was founded to honor former Northwestern basketball coach Ricky Byrdsong, who was murdered by a white supremacist in his Skokie neighborhood in 1999. The annual gathering has continued for more than two decades and is centered on unity, inclusion and collective action.

The race comes at a time when hate crimes remain elevated nationally and is intended to give Chicago-area residents a way to show support for a more unified community.

The annual race has become a recurring community event in Evanston, combining competition with a public gathering tied to remembrance and anti-hate efforts. This year's program again brings runners, walkers and families together in one place on the lakefront for the Father's Day morning event.

After the races, a free awards ceremony and after-party are planned at Evanston's Harley Clarke Mansion. The post-race event will include live music, refreshments and additional activities, and it will be open to all, according to organizers.

Registration is open through race day, and in-person registration will also be available on race day.