Reagan Run 5K Race

By Dani Lovett, 2025 Petunia Queen and Reagan Run scholarship recipient For many runners in Dixon, the Reagan Run represents a transition filled with friendly competition and personal growth. For athletes like me who spent years competing in high school cross country and track, running means intense workouts, race preparation, personal records, and constantly chasing…

By Owen Belzer, Dixon High School 2026 graduate and Reagan Run Scholarship winner When you grow up around here, the Reagan Run 5K is just one of those summer staples you always hear about. It is a massive community tradition, a challenge, and honestly a pretty exhausting way to spend a morning. But this year,…

For over 15 years, running has helped shape me and taught me valuable lessons about life. From 5Ks and 8Ks to 10Ks, half marathons, and marathons, every race has taught me something different. It has taught discipline, perseverance, humility, confidence, and the importance of simply showing up even when things feel hard. Running has carried…

After moving to the Dixon area in 2005; I made a goal to participate in the Reagan run. However, every year I would find an excuse to skip the race. This tradition continued for 17 years until finally in 2022 I decide to participate. My daughter Gabrielle (Brie) was 10 at the time and was…

When summer arrives in Dixon, Illinois, one of the most anticipated events of the season is the Reagan Run 5K. Each year, runners and walkers from near and far gather to test their endurance in this 3.1-mile race, beginning at the historic Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home. It’s a well-known tradition that draws large crowds and…

Mark your calendars—Saturday, July 6th is shaping up to be a big morning in Dixon! The much-anticipated Reagan Run 5K kicks off at 8:00 a.m. and is preceded by the Reagan Kids’ Fun Run at 7:30 a.m., setting the pace for a day full of excitement and hometown pride. Now in its 24th year, the…

By Terry Cleary One day in downtown Dixon I was on a walk with my dog, Holly Mae. We stopped into Stone Bridge Running to browse, and I was asked if I was interested in writing about the Reagan Run. I was honored and pleasantly surprised for the opportunity. After losing my dog, Maisey, my…

On the morning of Saturday, July 5, 2025, the streets of Dixon, Illinois will come alive with energy and excitement as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Reagan Run 5K. Held in harmony with the city’s beloved Petunia Festival, this milestone event continues to honor its original mission: promoting family-friendly fitness, supporting meaningful causes,…

Every summer, dozens of young runners lace up their sneakers and set off on a journey that’s about much more than just crossing a finish line. The Dixon Family YMCA’s Kids Just Wanna Reagan Run 5K training program, led by certified running coach Katie Matteson, offers children in grades 1 through 6 the opportunity to train,…

The Reagan Run 5K Committee is offering six (6) $500 Scholarships, three male and three female, for students who were continuing their post-secondary education at a 2-year college, 4-year college/university or trade school.  This is a one-year, one-time scholarship. The scholarships are available to any high school seniors who are graduating in 2025 and reside…

By Ray Schmidt I wasn’t a runner prior to my first Reagan Run in the summer of 2002 at the age of 45. My motivation was to get into shape for a boy scout adventure with my son. Year 2002 started as preparation for Troop 93’s Philmont trip to New Mexico and I was going…

On Saturday, July 6th, the Dixon streets will buzz with excitement as the Reagan 5K Annual Kids’ Fun Run kicks off, setting the stage for the much-anticipated Reagan Run 5K at 8:00 a.m. The Fun Run is celebrating its 23rd year. It was started in 2001 by Amy Boss and Kara Grot, who led the…

UPM Raflatac taking part in running the Reagan run can be more than just a physical challenge for a company; it can foster a sense of community, promote wellness, and strengthen team dynamics. When a company organizes or participates in a run, it sends a powerful message about its values and priorities. UPM Raflatac is…

Eighty-five Reagan Run 5K finishes.  This is the combined total of Reagan Run 5K finishes that our family including sons, daughter in laws, and grandchildren has accumulated over the last 24 years since the inception of this event that has become a staple of the Petunia Festival weekend.  These have included everything from three first…

Written by Eve Guenther, KSB Hospital Dietitian Another year has flown by, and the Reagan Run is right around the corner.  Whether you are a seasoned runner or a complete beginner, now is the perfect time to start getting ready for race day. Nutrition is an important component that often gets overlooked, and frankly, it’s…

By Todd McMillion Running (and fitness) have long been an important part of my life, as an adult I have been running distance events for 36 years and have toed the line at the Reagan Run since its inception. I was reading an article recently about running and motivation, one of the topics in this article was, do you “identify…

Katie Matteson’s journey to becoming a certified running coach is one marked by resilience, determination, and a profound sense of purpose. Growing up, Katie faced a formidable adversary in the form of an eating disorder in her late teens/early 20s. But amidst the darkness, she discovered a beacon of light – running. For Katie, running…