Illinois
Illinois Trail Running Calendar 2026-2027
Explore the best trail runs in Illinois for 2026-2027! Our updated list features 89 exciting trail runs across the region. Find your next trail run in Illinois below and join the trail community at these great events!
November 2026
Annual 5K and 10K runs plus a 5K walk and virtual options around Meadowbrook Park in Urbana to benefit Grand Prairie Friends.
Night trail running at Illiniwek Forest Preserve with 7K and 14K courses, required headlamps, aid stations, and post-race fire and live music.
A 5K run and walk at Deer Park Golf Club in Oglesby, IL on 11/07/2026 with a mostly flat golf course, post-race refreshments, shirts if available, and proceeds to Illinois Valley PADS.
Trail running at Camp Big Timber on November 8, 2026 with 3 and 5 mile courses, a creek crossing, kids run, awards, pancake breakfast and proceeds to local scouts.
A 3-mile cross country meet at the MacNider course in Schaumburg on November 8, 2026, with separate men's and women's races and an optional team competition.
Experience the diverse terrain of the historic Lemont Quarries with four trail race distances ranging from 10K to 60K. Runners navigate a mix of flat gravel paths and technical single-track trails through the woods.
A flat, crushed limestone out and back in Vienna Illinois offering 100 mile, 100 km, 50 mile and marathon distances and hosting the 2026 USATF 50 Mile Championships.
Trail races at McNaughton Park in Pekin, IL offering 3.5, 10, 30 and 50 mile courses on a 10 mile loop run in reverse direction.
A scenic 5K in Deer Grove on November 14, 2026 that welcomes runners, walkers and canicross teams while raising funds for a local scholarship.
Community 5K and kids fun runs at Farmingdale Elementary on November 14, 2026, raising funds for the school.
Trail races at Wolf Road Woods on November 21, 2026 with 8 mile and 4 mile options, shirts, finish-line chili and brews, plus awards and a post-race raffle.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with a 2 mile run through the wooded trails of Sheffield Illinois. Wear your best holiday costume for a chance to win prizes at this untimed community event.
54th Annual Rockford Road Runners Turkey Trot is an approximate 5K trail race at Atwood Park with chip timing, day of packet pickup, and donations for local charities.
A chip timed 2.5 mile cross country Turkey Trot in Orland Park on Thanksgiving morning, with race shirts, a raffle, and prize turkeys for top finishers.
A community Turkey Trot at NorthPointe Health & Wellness on November 26 2026 featuring a chip timed 5K and a non timed 0.5 mile Tiny Trot for all ages.
36th Annual FOLEPI River Trail Classic in East Peoria on November 28, 2026, features a 4-mile run and a 2-mile walk with shirt and no-shirt options.
A cross country event at Gaelic Park in Oak Forest on November 29, 2026 offering a 5K run and a 1.5 mile walk with proceeds to Gaelic Park Charities.
December 2026
Trail event at Timber Pointe Nature Center in Hudson IL on 12/05/2026 offering 8K, 4K and a multi-lap 3 hour format; partial proceeds benefit the nature center.
A four-race winter trail series in Dixon Illinois totaling 31 miles with monthly 5K, 10K, 15K and 20K events on varied terrain.