Memorial Day Salute at Springdale Cemetery

The 9th Annual Memorial Day Salute at Springdale Cemetery is a charitable racing event scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2026, in Peoria, Illinois. This event benefits local veterans through the Illinois Valley Fuller Center for Housing. The course takes participants through the historic grounds of Springdale Cemetery and lower Glen Oak Park, offering a reflective and scenic environment for the holiday observance.

Event Logistics and Participant Information:

• -- Swag and Inclusions: The first 200 registrants are guaranteed a race packet. Event shirts were guaranteed for those who registered by May 13; registrations after this date include shirts only while supplies last.
• -- Packet Pickup: Early pickup is available on Friday, May 22, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at RC Outfitters. Race-day pickup will take place at Lower Glen Oak Park from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM.
• -- Parking: Official event parking is located at the Woodruff Career & Technical Center at 1800 NE Perry Ave.
• -- Awards Ceremony: 5K awards are presented to the top male and female finishers by gun time. Notably, special veteran awards are presented to the top male and female veterans, with "double dipping" (winning both overall and veteran categories) explicitly permitted.
• -- Age Divisions: Age group awards are provided for top finishers in categories ranging from "12 & Under" to "70 & Over" based on net chip time.
• -- Patriotic Spirit: In addition to athletic awards, a $100 cash prize is offered for the participant wearing the "Most Patriotic Outfit."

Community and Charitable Impact:

• -- Beneficiary: All proceeds support the Illinois Valley Fuller Center for Housing, which provides critical housing services and repairs for veterans in the community.
• -- Fundraising Goal: The event has set a targeted goal of $1,000.00, with 12% raised to date from active participants and donors.
• -- Youth Participation: To encourage family involvement, a flat registration rate of $15 is automatically applied for children aged 12 and under.
• -- Participant Base: There are currently 115 active participants registered for the 2026 salute.
• -- Organization: The race is a key installment of the local Holiday Race Series and is managed by event contact Debbie Gaught.

The Memorial Day Salute 2026 provides the Peoria community a meaningful way to honor military service while directly contributing to the welfare of local veterans through a high-energy athletic event.