The Tom Short 5K starts at 8:00 AM on August 1st in Shelbyville, Illinois, so plan your arrival the evening before or very early morning to avoid rushing through pre-race logistics. The event takes place at Forest Park on the General Dacey Trail and offers two distance options: a 1-mile run and a 5K. Entry is $25. As an early-morning summer race in central Illinois, you'll want to account for typical August conditions and arrive with time to scout the trail layout and settle into your warm-up routine before the starting gun.
From the Race Organizer
The Tom Short 5k course is run on the beautiful General Dacey Trail, in Shelbyville, Illinois's Forest Park. This race is very unique, challenging and competitive ! Some of the areas elite athletes from colleges and high schools come to take on the difficult course and break the course record set in 2018, a time of 15:29 ! It's a great race for spectators as you can see the runners from many locations and cheer them on as they finish the race - creating an awesome atmosphere! Finishing in the Top 10 at the Tom Short 5K is a huge accomplishment and if you do, you will receive an additional Tom Short Race Shirt with your place on it! If you like being a part of a team, we have an option for team cross country scoring. Form a team of five runners and sign-up on race day for the team competition. After the race has finished we take each of your individual places and add them up for a total team score. We have a Male, Female & Mixed Team Division. The winners of each group will go home with a plaque! Our post race refreshments are what we are known for and they are FANTASTIC!!! Popsicles - Chocolate Bars - Chocolate Milk - Cookies - Granola Bars - Fruit - And More! The refreshments are one of the ways to celebrate a great run and after the awards have been handed out, head to the Shelbyville Family Aquatic Center where we continue the celebration with a post race party at the pool. All participants and their families are welcome to join us and we also host a "BIG SPLASH" event for all ages! If, in your age group, you have the biggest splash, you will win a pair of Tom Short Race Shorts ! The Tom Short 5K Race is one of our favorite events of the year and we want you to be a part of it! We hope to see you on the Trail!
Hotels Near This Race
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Race Travel Insurance
Don't forget travel insurance for August 1.
You've trained for months and booked a trip to Shelbyville, IL.
A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing.
Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it,
and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run
5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no
additional coverage needed.
Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
Tom Short 5K 2026 — Shelbyville, IL takes place on August 1, 2026. The race is held in Shelbyville, Illinois.
Where is Tom Short 5K 2026 — Shelbyville, IL held?
Tom Short 5K 2026 — Shelbyville, IL is held at Forest Park - General Dacey Trail in Shelbyville, Illinois.
Where can I find hotels near Tom Short 5K 2026 — Shelbyville, IL?
RaceHotelFinder shows hotels sorted by distance from the race venue in Shelbyville. Use the map or list view on this page to compare options and book race weekend accommodation.
