Palos Park Spooky Shuffle 10K/5K Offers Scenic Trail Run

PALOS PARK, IL — Palos Park celebrates autumn with the Spooky Shuffle 10K/5K Sunday Oct. 22. The 10K gets going at 9 a.m., followed by the 5K Run/Walk at 9:15 a.m. The Spooky Shuffle starts and ends at Swallow Cliff South Forest Preserves.

The 5K/10K trail run/walk takes participants through the sprawling woodlands of the majestic Sag Valley Trail System, part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
Starting at Swallow Cliff South Forest Preserves (the sister preserve to the famous Swallow Cliff Stairs located at Swallow Cliff North), both courses take you on wide, unpaved, mostly gravel trails through the unique topography of the Palos region with its ravines and hills resulting in elevation not common in the Chicagoland area.

There will be 5K and 10K awards for the overall top male and female finishers, as well as first, second and third prizes in the following age groups:

• 19 and under
• 20-29
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60 and over

Registration through Oct. 22 for the 5K is $45; the 10K is $55. Register online for the Spooky Shuffle or at the Palos Park Rec Center, 8901 W. 123rd St. Packet pickup 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20 at the rec center.

Race day registration and packet pick up starts at 8 a.m. Oct. 22. Although this event is a run/walk, there will be general cut off times to ensure the event stays on schedule with permits and staffing volunteers and police assistance. 5K run/walkers will begin at 9:15am and have until 10:45am to finish (29-minute pace). 10K run/walkers will begin at 9am and have until 11:30 a.m. to finish (24-minute pace).

A "sweeper" will walk each race course beginning 15 minutes after each event has started to ensure we don't have any lost runners.