Trail Running Calendar Illinois 2026-2027

Frozen Gnome on Jan 10, 2026 in Crystal Lake, Illinois is a winter trail challenge through Veteran Acres and Sterne’s Woods with 10K, a Triple Black Diamond 50K and team relays. Expect hot aid, a tech shirt and finisher medal.

Join the 50K MASHUP SLAM series in Crystal Lake and across the Midwest for trail ultras including 50K, a 53K and a 9 hour timed event. Earn a finisher buckle and series awards; register by Jan 1 2026.

Tour de Trails is a four race winter trail series around Rockford IL from December to March, featuring 3, 6, 9 and 12 mile routes through scenic local preserves. Expect icy, snowy conditions and a friendly community vibe supporting Rockford..

Run a winter trail 5K at Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia on Jan 24, the first of three races in the Fox Valley Winter Challenge. Trails may be snowy or muddy; finishers get snacks, a medal and a cozy winter hat.

Run the Frozen Tundra IPA 5K along the Des Plaines River Trail, then warm up at Half Day Brewing with music, beer, hot toddies and food. Limited to 300 runners, entries include shirts, medals and a lively post race party.

Join the Frozen Cock's Crow 5K at Willenborg Woods, a spirited trail run on technical singletrack with steep climbs and a stream crossing. Enjoy a family friendly, grassroots vibe and a fun post race celebration.

Lace up for the Galena Classic Sasquatch Shuffle, a festive 3k snowshoe run or walk at Eagle Ridge on February 14, 2026. Event goes on with or without snow, rentals available and awards for top finishers in multiple divisions.

Run the festive Fat Tuesday 5K or 10K at Keg Grove in Bloomington along the Constitution Trail. Grab Mardi Gras beads, enter a King Cake raffle and enjoy post race drinks while supporting St Vincent De Paul.

Run the Fox Valley Winter Challenge 8K on Feb 21 at Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora, a mixed terrain winter trail with possible snow, ice, or mud. All finishers get a medal and completing the series earns bonus gear including a hooded zi..

Tour de Trails is a four race winter trail series around Rockford IL from December to March, featuring 3, 6, 9 and 12 mile routes through scenic local preserves. Expect icy, snowy conditions and a friendly community vibe supporting Rockford..

Run the scenic Cactus Classic Trail Races in Manito, IL on March 7, 2026, celebrating 16 years on pine forest trails. Choose marathon, half marathon or 10K and enjoy runnable flats, rolling sections and glimpses of wild cactus.

Get muddy on wooded single and double track through the historic Lemont Quarries at Muddy Shamrock at The Forge with a half marathon or quarter marathon. Expect rugged terrain, chip timing, awards, a tee and a lively post race party.

Join the festive Blarney Blitz 5K in Peoria on March 14, 2026 for a St. Patrick's Day themed run along the scenic Riverfront Trail. Celebrate at the post race party at Kelleher's Irish Pub with food and a drink ticket.

Tour de Trails is a four race winter trail series around Rockford IL from December to March, featuring 3, 6, 9 and 12 mile routes through scenic local preserves. Expect icy, snowy conditions and a friendly community vibe supporting Rockford..

Wrap up winter on scenic mixed trails at the Fox Valley Winter Challenge 10K in St. Charles on March 22, 2026. Expect varied footing, a finisher medal and cozy winter hat, plus bundle pricing if you tackled other series races.

Take on the Skunk Ape 806 314 Trail Race at Lowell Park with 33.75 mile and 13.5 mile solo options or a team 806 relay. Alternate wooded loops, enjoy hearty aid station fare and finisher swag, and chase podium awards and great camaraderie.

Tackle a scenic 4 mile loop through rolling limestone and wooded trails at St James Farm in Warrenville, IL, with roots, mud and natural single loop terrain. Enjoy a long sleeve race shirt, wood finisher medallion and lively race day atmosp..

Run scenic single track loops around Clinton Lake with 30 mile and 10 mile options on March 28, 2026. Expect rolling terrain, fully stocked aid stations, finisher swag and a community focused event supporting local trail maintenance.

Celebrate 25th Potawatomi Trail Runs April 9 to 12 in Pekin, Illinois at McNaughton Park. Choose from multiple ultra distances or a scenic 10 mile loop over single track, prairies and creek crossings with on course aid and rustic camping.

Run Camp Ondessonk's scenic trails, canyons and lakeside paths at the 16th annual Ondessonk Trail Races on April 11, 2026. New this year are a half marathon and a family one mile fun run, plus 10k and 5k race options.