SBM Stride for Science

About the Event

The SBM Stride for Science 5K Run/Walk is an early-morning fitness event scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Chicago’s iconic Grant Park. Organized by the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) as part of their Annual Meeting, the race serves a philanthropic purpose: all proceeds directly fund postdoctoral research through the Bridging the Gap Research Award. The event attracts health professionals, researchers, and community members dedicated to advancing behavioral medicine.

Event Phase	Time (CDT)	Location
Check-in/Packet Pick-Up	06:00 AM	Grant Park (E. Balbo Dr)
Warm-Up Exercises	06:15 AM	Grant Park
Run/Walk Start	06:30 AM	Grant Park
Awards Ceremony	04:00 PM	Presidential Keynote Session

Logistics and Location

The race center is situated at the corner of E. Balbo Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Participants can pick up their materials (including a run/walk shirt, sunglasses, and race bib) the day before the event between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, or on race morning starting at 6:00 AM. For those staying at the conference hotel, group "walk-overs" to Grant Park are scheduled for both volunteers and participants to ensure everyone arrives safely and on time for the 6:30 AM start. The course concludes at 7:15 AM, allowing attendees to return for morning conference sessions.

Fundraising and Recognition

The event is a cornerstone of SBM’s fundraising efforts, with a current goal of $6,000.00. Beyond the physical challenge, the society emphasizes the intellectual contribution of the race; award winners are formally recognized later in the afternoon during the Presidential Keynote and Awards Ceremony. This integration highlights the link between physical activity and the scientific mission of the society.

Regional and Demographic Context

Chicago, IL (60605) presents a diverse urban demographic. The city is approximately 33.3% White (Non-Hispanic), 28.7% Black or African American, 29.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 7% Asian. As a major global hub for medical research and higher education, Chicago frequently hosts large-scale scientific conferences. Grant Park, often called "Chicago's Front Yard," provides a high-visibility backdrop that reflects the city's commitment to public green space and health-oriented community programming. The median household income in the immediate Loop/South Loop area is approximately $118,000, indicating a robust local professional base that supports such non-profit initiatives.

Races Offered

5K Run/Walk

Apr 23, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

06:30

sell

$44.79

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for April in Chicago.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 5.8° / 15.3°

wb_sunny 0.8° / 11.1°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 17.8 /

water_drop 69.8%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 5.8° / 15.3°

wb_sunny 0.8° / 11.1°

air 17.8 km/h

water_drop 69.8%

About Chicago

Learn more about the host city, Chicago.

Chicago is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. "Stormy, Husky, Brawling / City of Big Shoulders," Chicago is a Heartland boomtown, its ethos defined by urban planner Daniel Burnham's immortal vision: "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." It is one of the world's great cities and the third largest city in the United States, behind only New York City and Los Angeles.