Catch the Elf 5k & 10k

About the Event

Join us for the Inaugural Catch the Elf race on December 20th. This Christmas themed race benefits the Toy Box Connection Children's Charity.

Date and Location: December 19, 202 at NEW LOCATION IN 2026- TBA

Race Format: Each race (the 5k and the 10k) will have its own race elf. The elf will get a one minute thirty second head start. If you finish before the elf, you will win a special prize!

Awards: Each chip timed race will have awards for the Top 3 overall as well as the top 3 males and females in various age groups.

Santa's Presence: Santa will be on site to hear Children's Christmas Wishes.

Secret Santa: Drop off a $15 or less running related gift to choose a secret Santa gift after your race.

Secret Santa Participation
Anyone interested in participating in our secret Santa can bring a small (value of $10-$15) running related gift. Turn it in, wrapped, at packet pickup, and you will get a special sticker on your bib to allow you to pick from the secret Santa pile after the race. First come, first serve. No exchanging of gifts after you have chosen one.

Race Start Time: Both races will start at 9:00 AM

Packet Pickup: Packet pickup will be held on Friday, December 18th as well as race morning starting at 7:30 AM.

Friday packet pickup will be at Running for Kicks, 7158 W. 127th Street, Palos Heights from Noon to 6pm.

Gear Check: We will have a gear check. We request that you keep all valuables in a safe location.

Awards Pickup: There will not be an awards ceremony. If you finish in the top 3 in your age group, please pick up your award before leaving the race site.

Results and Shirts
Live Results: Live results will be available online at www.ilpreptoptiming.com.

Shirts: A long sleeve shirt is included with your registration fee.

For the Kids
Santa's Visit: Santa will make a special visit to hear kids Christmas wishes.
Kids Race: There will be a kids race for those 8 and younger.

About Toy Box Connection
How Toy Box Connection Works: www.toyboxconnection.com

Mission: Our mission is to connect children in need with toys and books.
Operation: We accept new and used toy/book donations and redistribute them to children through other non-profits.
Community Engagement: We conduct fundraising events to support our mission and improve literacy scores in schools.
Future Programs: We hope to initiate an Athletes Work Program for high school students.
Contributions on Race Day
While Toy Box Connection will never turn down donated gifts, they request gift cards from Amazon or Target to help them purchase gifts that match their demand. If you wish to donate, Legos are a great gift, as they are neither age nor gender restricted.

Races Offered

Catch the Elf 10k

Dec 19, 2026

straighten

Distance — 6.2 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

09:00

sell

$40.00

Catch the Elf 5k

Dec 19, 2026

straighten

Distance — 3.1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

09:00

sell

$35.00

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for December in Markham.

thermostat Temperature

-3.3° / 3.6°

wb_sunny Feels like

-8.3° / -0.6°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

4h 12m

water_drop Avg rainfall

2.2 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

0.3 cm

air Avg wind speed

12.6 km/h (Gentle breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

Low

terrain Course conditions

Firm and slightly soft

sunny Max UV Index

Low (2.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

77.3%

wb_twilight Sunrise

08:09

nightlight Sunset

17:22

About Markham

Learn more about the host city, Markham.

Markham is a suburban city directly north of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. It includes the historic village of Unionville, which is now a heritage district, and can offer the traveller some cheaper accommodation options if you don't mind the distance from the attractions of Toronto.

Hotels & Places to Stay

Race Results

Official finishing times from previous editions of Catch the Elf 5k & 10k.

Place	Name	Gender	Age	City	Time
🥇	Noah Luke	M	19	Tinley Park, IL	15:56
🥈	Hudson Neth	M	16	Oak Forest, IL	17:10.4
🥉	Nicholas Manso	M	18	Oak Forest, IL	17:41.6
4	Patrick Scurek	M	18	Oak Forest, IL	18:41.8
5	Auguste Wasniowski	M	16	Homewood, IL	19:29.1
6	Francisco Guerrero	M	48	Chicago, IL	20:03.3
7	Brynn Bartkus	F	14	Downers Grove, IL	20:12.8
8	Julia Stolzenbach	F	13	Crete, IL	20:50.4
9	Eamonn Boyle	M	20	Palos Heights, IL	21:25.4
10	Kaida Mescher	F	13	Lemont, IL	21:25.7
11	Brian Padden	M	37	Chicago, IL	21:25.8
12	Brayden Richey	M	14	Lombard, IL	21:52.9
13	T. Mescher	M	10	Lemont, IL	22:06.8
14	Evelyn Stolzenbach	F	16	Crete, IL	22:47
15	Jodie Makara	F	29	Seattle, WA	23:50.9
16	Joe Rinke	M	58	Manhattan, IL	24:26
17	Shawn Bogusz	M	38	Orland Park, IL	24:31.1
18	Joseph Henry	M	26	Minneapolis, MN	24:49.7
19	Andrea Bartkus	F	48	Downers Grove, IL	24:53.3
20	Joseph Bartkus	M	45	Downers Grove, IL	25:13.4
21	Tiffany Adams	F	45	Chicago, IL	25:15.1
22	Janelly Rodriguez	F	39	Chicago, IL	25:37.4
23	John Fudacz	M	47	Forest Park, IL	26:09.4
24	Carlos Viramontes	M	61	Tinley Park, IL	26:49.7
25	Mariah Gomez	F	23	Chicago, IL	27:08.7
26	Bree Snyder	F	45	Schaumburg, IL	27:18.2
27	Miguel Corona	M	35	Chicago Heights, IL	27:26.4
28	Julie Mescher	F	45	Lemont, IL	27:49.2
29	Molly Boyle	F	18	Palos Heights, IL	27:52.5
30	Michael Hernandez	M	23	Elgin, IL	27:59.9
31	Alexis Kmety	F	26	Oak Lawn, IL	28:06.9
32	Nicole Begley	F	26	Peotone, IL	28:07
33	Hunter Jackson	F	27	Oak Lawn, IL	28:07
34	A. Stolzenbach	F	11	Crete, IL	28:51.9
35	Clifford Mondt	M	48	Oak Lawn, IL	29:00.9
36	Jessica Patchik	F	48	Aurora, IL	29:07.2
37	Angel Hernandez	M	14	Saint John, IN	29:18.2
38	Inma Galan	F	53	Homewood, IL	29:43.7
39	Angel Hernandez	M	39	Saint John, IN	30:03.1
40	Lilliana Rodriguez	F	43	Brookfield, IL	30:09.8
41	Marci Kloberdanz	F	48	Joliet, IL	31:38.1
42	Michael Deacy	M	33	Chicago, IL	31:51.1
43	Paula Swisher	F	49	Homewood, IL	32:04.3
44	Glynis Keene	F	55	Homewood, IL	33:34.2
45	B. Bartkus	M	10	Downers Grove, IL	33:53.3
46	Mike McGowan	M	47	Lockport, IL	34:42.9
47	Mairead Boyle	F	23	Palos Heights, IL	34:47.2
48	Kalikah McCollum	F	28	Chicago, IL	34:55.3
49	Susan chason	F	54	Bolingbrook, IL	35:10.7
50	Damaris Sargent	M	48	Country Club Hills, IL	35:47.2

Place	Name	Gender	Age	City	Time
🥇	James Weissensel	M	31	Park Ridge, IL	34:42.2
🥈	Michael Lasusa	M	22	Park Ridge, IL	35:10.5
🥉	Matthew Moo	M	33	Evanston, IL	38:11
4	Joseph Lerner	M	38	Oak Forest, IL	38:40.9
5	Cristian Perez	M	17	Midlothian, IL	39:06.2
6	Juan Sanchez	M	36	Kankakee, IL	40:52.6
7	Grim Toss	M	67	Downers Grove, IL	43:59.1
8	Evan Hutcheson	M	20	Dallas, TX	44:44.8
9	Alexis Sanchez	M	23	Momence, IL	44:55
10	Grosser Then	M	62	Glen Ellyn, IL	45:16.8
11	Samantha Jagmin	F	34	Lockport, IL	47:05.7
12	Timothy Gross	M	69	Northfield, IL	47:51.1
13	Kristen Salkas	F	38	Homewood, IL	48:54.8
14	Gilberto VALDEZ	M	14	Chicago, IL	49:26.4
15	Chris Szala	M	52	Crown Point, IN	49:28
16	Marialena Dominguez	F	43	Hammond, IN	51:51.5
17	Jahaziel Gomez	M	45	Joliet, IL	52:07.5
18	Gerardo Torres	M	26	Hickory Hills, IL	52:19.3
19	Sergio Salgado	M	26	Berwyn, IL	52:20.3
20	Joseph Thompson Jr	M	52	Flossmoor, IL	52:33.2
21	Jamie Parks	M	64	Tinley Park, IL	52:41
22	Michael Putrich	M	36	Joliet, IL	52:53.6
23	Carter chason	M	21	Bolingbrook, IL	53:35.5
24	Andrey Pena Espinosa	M	29	Glenwood, IL	53:46.7
25	Kim Davis	F	48	Dyer, IN	55:00.9
26	Jim Cassioppi	M	61	Willow Springs, IL	56:19.8
27	Gustavo Sanchez	M	25	Momence, IL	56:58.4
28	Eileen Skisak	F	66	La Grange Park, IL	57:10.1
29	Phillip Kinnison	M	30	Chicago, IL	57:59
30	Connor Droogan	M	13	Wilmette, IL	58:11.7
31	Henry Saunders	M	13	Wilmette, IL	59:29.9
32	Beth McCue	F	47	Oak Forest, IL	1:00:06.1
33	Dawn Coen	F	54	Homewood, IL	1:00:38.1
34	Tom Harty	M	56	Palos Park, IL	1:02:09.5
35	Margaret Hockenberry	F	51	Flossmoor, IL	1:05:29.5
36	Grace Pittman	F	44	Barrington, IL	1:11:44.3
37	Shannon Welch	F	47	Glenwood, IL	1:18:25.9
38	Kathryn Nowicki	F	69	Evergreen Park, IL	1:28:00
39	Andrea Clark	F	46	Tinley Park, IL	1:29:36.8
40	Melissa Morgan	F	59	P, IL	1:46:00
41	Susan Rozanski	F	72	Oak Park, IL	1:55:30.1