Registration open for Jacksonville's July 4 run, benefits Prairieland United Way

Nichols Park will again be the starting line for one of Jacksonville’s July 4 traditions, a 5K, walk and children’s fun run that does more than fill the holiday morning. Every entry supports Prairieland United Way, the Jacksonville-based nonprofit that serves Cass, Greene, Morgan and Scott counties.

The Heartland Bank and Trust Independence Day run is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, with late registration beginning at 6:30 a.m. at Nichols Park off Vandalia Street. The 5K run and walk starts at 7:30 a.m., and the 12-and-under fun run follows at 8:15 a.m. The course begins at the park’s northeast entrance and sends runners and walkers through Jacksonville and South Jacksonville before bringing them back to Nichols Park.

Registration is $25 for the first person by June 27, with $12 for additional family members. Run listings also say the price increases after June 24 at 11:59 p.m. CDT, and shirts are guaranteed only for those who register by June 24. Forms are available at Heartland Bank, and questions can be directed to Breck Van Bebber or Marty Copeland.

The race is timed by Final Lap Racing and includes awards for the top two male and female finishers overall and masters, plus age-group winners. Every finisher in the fun run receives an award, a detail that keeps the event family-friendly even as the 5K remains competitive for serious runners.

Packet pickup is scheduled for July 3 at Heartland Bank in Jacksonville, with race-day pickup also available at 6:30 a.m. A separate listing has also advertised packet pickup for July 2 at The Springfield Running Center. Organizers say the race will be held regardless of inclement weather, but they reserve the right to delay or cancel if safety becomes a concern. If cancellation is necessary, registrations will be treated as charitable contributions to Prairieland United Way, while shirts and attendance prizes still would be distributed.

Prairieland United Way lists its Jacksonville address at 200 W. Douglas Avenue. The organization has long been rooted in the area, with one nonprofit database listing its founding in 1959, and the July 4 run gives that local work a direct boost from a morning on the streets around Nichols Park.