Dim Sum & Then Some: The Uptown 5K/10K & Kids Dash

Welcome to the Dim Sum & Then Some 10K, 5K, & Kids Dash

Uptown Chicago | August 1, 2026 | Year of the Horse

Get ready to race, feast, and celebrate as we kick off a day of fun, fitness, and culture in the heart of Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood! Whether you’re running the 10K, 5K, or cheering on the kids in the Dash, Dim Sum & Then Some promises an unforgettable experience that’s more than just a race. All 10K, 5k, & Kids Dash participants will receive a Year of the Horse Race Shirt, Horse-Inspired Finisher Medal, race bib, bubble tea, and dim sum! 

Runners who are unable to attend in person can participate virtually, anywhere and at any time.

DATE

Saturday, August 1, 2026

START TIMES

KIDS DASH: 7:30 AM

5K & 10K : 8:00 AM

DISTANCES

10K

5K

KIDS DASH

PRE-RACE PACKET PICK-UP

Pre-race packet pick-up will be available on:

FRIDAY, July 31 

Location: Fleet Feet Lincoln Square

Time: 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Address: 4762 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

RACE DAY PACKET PICK-UP

If you are unable to attend Packet Pickup on the Friday before the race, you can pick it up on Race Day for a FEE. There is a $5.00 fee per packet, per paid participant that you can pay during registration or cash day-of Saturday, August 1, 6:30am to 7:45am.  To avoid paying this fee, please attend Pre-Race Packet Pickup in person the day prior.

DIM SUM & THEN SOME: THE UPTOWN 5K/10K & KIDS DASH

Chinese Mutual Aid Association’s annual Dim Sum & Then Some: The Uptown 5K/10K & Kids Dash is a unique race, fundraiser, and community event that highlights the diversity of the Uptown neighborhood, with all proceeds benefiting low-income immigrant and refugee communities.

More than just a run or walk, the event offers a vibrant cultural experience. At the start, participants receive a traditional Lao blessing ceremony, where a string is tied around their wrists for good luck. Lion dancers then perform to kick off the race with symbols of prosperity and good fortune. Along the course, runners pass Uptown’s historic attractions and continue along the Chicago lakefront. After crossing the finish line, participants are invited to a post-race block party featuring dim sum, bubble tea, and cultural performances by CMAA’s youth dance groups. Through this event, CMAA celebrates and showcases the rich heritage and diversity of the Uptown community.

CAUSE

Proceeds will directly support the Chinese Mutual Aid Association (CMAA), a community-based 501(c)3 social services agency, in our efforts to provide crucial assistance to low-income immigrants, refugees, and people from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. 

DONATE

To make a DONATION: CLICK HERE

REFUNDS

Since the Dim Sum & Then Some 5K/10K & Kids Dash has many upfront costs, we have a strict and uniform policy of no refunds or exchanges, no person-to-person transfer, or no deferrals to a future year. We do understand that plans change, injuries happen, and various holiday festivities and situations arise, but, we feel it is most fair to apply a uniform policy to all, instead of a subjective line of who should receive a refund and who doesn’t.  All purchases and sales are 100% final, no exceptions. Refunds will not be issued based on weather conditions. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

QUESTIONS?

Questions? Email Us!

Interested in Sponsoring Dim Sum & Then Some: The Uptown 5K/10K & Kids Dash?

Please contact Rhea Yap, Director of Strategic Initiatives at rheay@chinesemutualaid.org to discuss how you can sponsor and reach the AAPI community or for more information on sponsorship levels and opportunities please click Sponsor link HERE.

Who is CMAA?

Chinese Mutual Aid Association was officially established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Chicago’s northside neighborhood of Uptown in 1981 by local Asian community leaders who were also ethnic Chinese refugees.  Grateful for the assistance they had received as new immigrants themselves, this community came together to help other newly arrived immigrants, leading to the formation of CMAA. 

Since then, CMAA has evolved into a pan-immigrant social services agency, serving clients from over 40 countries, including from Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Our offices currently offer job preparation & placement services, small business development, after-school & summer youth programming, teen mentorship programs, adult education English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, in-home elderly care services, immigration & citizenship case assistance, food & housing assistance and more.  CMAA serves over 5,000 unique clients annually. 

To learn more about CMAA, Click HERE!

10K COURSE MAP

5K COURSE MAP

KIDS DASH COURSE MAP

What is the Dim Sum & Then Some Race?

Chinese Mutual Aid Association’s annual Dim Sum & Then Some: The Uptown 5K/10K & Kids Dash is a unique race, fundraiser, and community event that highlights the diversity of the Uptown neighborhood, with all proceeds benefiting low-income immigrant and refugee communities.

More than just a run or walk, the event offers a vibrant cultural experience. At the start, participants receive a traditional Lao blessing ceremony, where a string is tied around their wrists for good luck. Lion dancers then perform to kick off the race with symbols of prosperity and good fortune. Along the course, runners pass Uptown’s historic attractions and continue along the Chicago lakefront. After crossing the finish line, participants are invited to a post-race block party featuring dim sum, bubble tea, and cultural performances by CMAA’s youth dance groups. Through this event, CMAA celebrates and showcases the rich heritage and diversity of the Uptown community.

What time does the race start?

Registration & Packet Pick-Up begins at 6:30 AM

Kids Dash starts at 7:30 AM

5K & 10K stars at 8:00 AM

How much does the race cost?

5K

$45 through April 26

$50: April 27 - June 26

$55: June 27 - July 26

$60: July 27 -  July 31

$70: Race Day

10K

$52 through April 26

$57: April 27 - June 26

$62: June 27 - July 26

$67: July 27 - July 31

$80: Race Day

Kids Dash

$20 through April 26

$25: April 27 - June 26

$30: June 27 to Race Day

What is included in the race swag?

All participants will receive a race short sleeve shirt, race bib, finisher medal, Bubble Tea, and DIM SUM!

What are the shirt sizes?

Shirt sizes range from X-Small to 3XL

Sizes are limited

Shirts are unisex fit

Are there group discounts?

Want to indulge in some yummy Dim Sum and Bubble Tea while supporting CMAA with your favorite people? Join our group program for exciting race perks such as discounts, support, team spirit, and more! For groups of 10 or more, we can offer a group discount for each participant and for companies or organizations paying 100% of their group’s registration fee in a single payment, we can offer an even deeper discount! Email dimsum5k@chinesemutualaid.org to get your group discount today!

Who qualifies as a group?

Organizations or Companies

Running Clubs or Gyms

Schools

Friends and Families

Charitable Organizations

PRE-RACE PACKET PICK-UP

When and Where is Packet Pick-Up?

FRIDAY

Date: Friday, July 31, 2026

Time: 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Location: Fleet Feet Lincoln Square: 4762 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

RACE DAY QUESTIONS

What time should I arrive for the race?

Please arrive ready to run before 8 AM.

Will gear check be available?

Limited Gear check will be available for this race but we highly suggest you to keep all personal items at home or in your vehicle.

Where can I park?

There will be street parking around the locations. We highly encourage taking public transportation, carpooling, or biking.

Where is the start and finish line?

Start and Finish Line will located on Argyle Street in front of the Self Help Home.

Will there be awards?

For the top THREE (3) male & female finishers. As well as the top three in each age group. 

Where will the results be posted?

All results will be posted online live during the event. CLICK HERE to see the results. 

What is the weather policy?

Sometimes, there are weather events beyond our control. (A little rain in the forecast won’t stop us.) But if there is a threat of more severe weather, the Dim Sum race is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all participants, volunteers, and spectators. If race officials deem the course unsafe because of weather conditions, race officials may cancel, delay, or change the event in case of extreme weather or other conditions that may affect the safety and health of participants.  This will be communicated via email, social, and text messages.

What is the refund policy?

Since the Dim Sum 5K/10K & Kids Dash has many upfront costs, we have a strict and uniform policy of no refunds or exchanges, no person-to-person transfer, or no deferrals to a future year. We do understand that plans change, injuries happen, and various holiday festivities and situations arise, but, we feel it is most fair to apply a uniform policy to all, instead of a subjective line of who should receive a refund and who doesn’t.  All purchases and sales are 100% final, no exceptions. Refunds will not be issued based on weather conditions. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

COURSE QUESTIONS

What is the course like?

The course will be ran on the lakefront path. Check out the course tab for street-by-street directions and maps.  

Are strollers allowed?

Yes, strollers are allowed. We just ask that you start in the back of the pack.

Can I walk the 5K or 10K?

Yes, walkers are always welcomed!

Are dogs/animals allowed?

While we love your fur-babies, dogs and other lovely pets are not allowed on the course. 

How is the starting line set-up?

The 10K race will begin together at 8 AM and the 5K will begin together at 8:10 AM.

Where are the aid/water stations located?

There will be 3 water/aid stations located on the course for the 10K and 1 for the 5K.

KIDS DASH

How far is the Kids Dash?

The kids dash is about a 1/2 of a mile. It will start and finish at the same start and finish as the 5K and 10K.

What do the Kids receive?

All kids will receive a t-shirt, Kid's Finisher Medal, Race Bib, Dim Sum, BubbleTea and more!

2026 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=3564 
2025 Results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/105276#resultSetId-571388 
2024 Results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/105276#resultSetId-476890 
2023 Results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/105276#resultSetId-396521 
2022 Results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/105276#resultSetId-321076 

We truly appreciate our amazing race day volunteers!

Join us to be part of the city's most vibrant cultural race. All volunteers will receive a Year of the Horse themed shirt, enjoy delicious dim sum and bubble tea, participate in an after-race block party, and have our ongoing gratitude.

To volunteer as a group please contact events@chinesemutualaid.org.