The University of Illinois Springfield will host its 11th annual Prairie Stars 5K and 1 Mile Walk at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC) on the UIS campus. Part of UIS Homecoming festivities, this year’s event is presented by the Illinois Innocence Project (IIP) in celebration of its 25th anniversary and will bring together members of the university and Springfield communities for a morning of fitness, advocacy and fun.

At least 13 members of the Illinois Innocence Project’s community of freed and exonerated individuals are expected to participate in the event, joining runners and walkers while raising awareness about wrongful convictions. Freed and exonerated individuals will also greet participants at the finish line and present them with commemorative medals. IIP leaders and Indiana exoneree Kristine Bunch, who oversees the Exoneree Speakers Bureau for IIP’s Wrongful Conviction Awareness and Avoidance statewide police training program, will speak during the event.

Throughout the race, participants will encounter educational signs highlighting the Illinois Innocence Project’s work. IIP staff will volunteer and participate in the race, while an information table will provide opportunities to learn more about wrongful convictions and the organization's upcoming 25th anniversary gala.

For 25 years, the Illinois Innocence Project has worked to investigate credible claims of innocence, free wrongfully imprisoned people and support efforts to prevent wrongful convictions.

This year’s Prairie Stars 5K also introduces a new, noncompetitive 1-mile walk, offering participants a shorter option alongside the traditional chip-timed 5K. Participants of all ages are welcome to run, jog or walk the 5K. Families may also bring strollers and leashed, friendly dogs.

Registration is $10 for UIS students and $25 for UIS faculty, staff, alumni and community members through Oct. 1. Prices increase to $15 for students and $30 for all other participants from Oct. 2-9. Race-day registration is $20 for students and $35 for all others.

Registration includes a race T-shirt, Scheels cinch sack, commemorative finisher medal, post-race pancake breakfast and a chance to win door prizes. The 5K will feature overall and age-group awards in men's, women's and nonbinary divisions.

The pancake breakfast opens at 8:45 a.m. and is complimentary for registered participants. Family members, friends and spectators may purchase breakfast tickets for $8 during registration or at the TRAC front desk on race day.

Participants can pick up their race packets from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, or from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. on race day at TRAC, 2171 University Drive, Springfield. Both the 5K and 1-mile walk begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by awards and door prizes at 9:30 a.m.

Participants are encouraged to arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the race begins.

Questions about the event may be directed to jkill7@uis.edu.