THE FOLLOWING IS A BALLOONS OVER VERMILION RELEASE
Danville, IL — Balloons Over Vermilion is adding a new way for the community to kick off festival weekend with the launch of the inaugural “Up & Away 5K”, taking place Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Kennekuk County Park.
The race will begin with a 7:30 a.m. mass start, with day of registration opening at 6:30 a.m. Runners and walkers alike are invited to take part in the scenic course through one of Vermilion County’s most beautiful outdoor spaces, offering the perfect way to kick off festivities and celebrate movement and community.
Registration is now open for the Up & Away 5K.
“This is an event we have been excited to add for quite some time,” says Cristin O’Shaughnessy, organizer of the 5K race. “With the move to Kennekuk, we finally had the opportunity to bring it to life. We hope the Up & Away 5K becomes another wonderful addition to what is already an amazing event. We encourage everyone–young and old, runners and walkers alike–to come out and join us for our first annual race!”
Following the race, participants and community members will have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing post race yoga session led by Merrit Spicer of Yoga on the Go. The one hour session will begin at approximately 9:00 a.m. at Kennekuk County Park.
The yoga session is free for Up & Away 5K participants and open to the public for $10 for those who wish to attend without racing. The class is designed for all experience levels and offers a refreshing way to continue the morning’s celebration of wellness and community.
Registration Details
● Early Bird Registration: $40
● Registration after April 15: $45
Participants will receive:
● Official Race T-shirt
● Race Bib Number
● Finisher Medal
● Free admission to the post-race yoga session with Merrit Spicer
Runners are encouraged to register by May 1, 2026 to guarantee their race t-shirt.
Participants of all experience levels are encouraged to lace up their running shoes and join the community for the first ever Up & Away 5K, designed to be both competitive and family friendly. The race is the newest addition to the Balloons Over Vermilion weekend, which draws thousands of visitors each year to enjoy colorful balloon launches, live entertainment, food vendors, family activities, and more in the name of raising funds to support children of our community. The 2026 festival will take place June 5–6 at Kennekuk County Park as the event celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Registration details and additional event information can be found at BalloonsOverVermilion.com/up-and-away-5k.
