Trail Running Calendar Illinois 2026-2027

A summer night cross-country meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria with races for kids, junior high, high school and open divisions. Packet pickup is race day only and registration closes July 23; parking is $10 per vehicle.

A summertime *5K* trail race in Charleston, Illinois featuring a one third mile river crossing and about 1,100 feet of elevation gain. Field limited to 125 runners with a postrace party serving pancakes and ice cream.

Mud Mountain XXX on July 25, 2026 at the SIUE Cross Country Course offers a 5K and a one mile fun run on an NCAA certified grass course and raises funds for the Edwardsville Cross Country and Track and Field Booster Club.

Experience a trail run through Forest Park on the General Dacey Trail in Shelbyville. Participate in a 5K or 1 mile race featuring team competitions, post race refreshments, and a gathering at the local aquatic center.

An off-road 5K on the Lake Land College campus in Mattoon, Illinois, featuring rolling hills, grassy fields and wooded paths. The event highlights the college cross country program in its second year and includes packet pickup at the Field..

Sequoit Sunrise 5K in Antioch Illinois is a community fundraiser race supporting the cross country program. The route starts and finishes at Antioch Community High School and runs through McMillen and Osmond Parks, with concessions and musi..

Experience the final race of the summer at Farmdale Reservoir in Washington Illinois. This five mile trail run features a mix of prairie woods and singletrack paths through a diverse landscape.

A loop ultrarunning event at Kennekuk Cove County Park with 3.25 mile laps, aid stations, camping, shirts and swag bags, and four hour and eight hour runner and walker options. Field limited to 250 participants.

Timed 6 hour and 3 hour runs on a 1.01 Mile loop around the Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville, IL. The event limits entries, requires lights after sunset, and posts live results during the event.

A nighttime trail event in Dixon IL with looped courses including 15 mile, 10 mile, 5 mile and a three person relay. The course mixes grass, gravel and dirt and features a single aid station at the start finish.

A multi-event day in Coal Valley with a 5K Mud Adventure Run, a Ninja Kids Run, and a Cross Country Trail Run. Main obstacles include a Tire Wall, Ninja Scaling Wall and Weight Lift; spectator entry is $7.

Continuous 3.1 miles loop race at Deer Grove East offering 40 or 50 mile options with a 12 hour cutoff. Centralized aid every lap, designated crew access, pacers allowed, and on-course medical support.

Loop-based trail event at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve in Palatine, Illinois. Distances run from 5K to 50K and each lap returns to a central aid station so athletes can decide how far to continue.

A retro 5K cross-country race by Fox River Trail Runners at Settler's Hill in Geneva. Entry fees are $10 for members and $12 for non-members, and proceeds support the course's preservation.

A youth and family 2K obstacle course at Maxwell Park with about 15 obstacles. Waves serve ages 5 and up; participants get a shirt, medal and a timed result, with trophies for top three in each competitive age group.

A community cross country event in Mount Prospect offering 1, 2 and 3 mile races. Entry is $25 and proceeds benefit the Little Giraffe Foundation.

A Scottish Highlander themed obstacle race in Pingree Grove Illinois offering open and competitive 5k and 15k heats plus a family 3k. Night and haunted 5k variants are offered and finishers receive a medal and t shirt.

Hill of a Race 2026 in Bloomington, IL combines a lap based Endurance Challenge with multiple 3 mile obstacle course waves, including competitive men, women, masters and several recreational waves.

Loop based endurance event at Busse Woods on August 15, 2026 offering repeated 3.1 mile laps over smooth crushed limestone and packed gravel. Distances range from 5K to 50K with a central aid station and open loop format.

Continuous 3.1 mile loop at Busse Woods near Elk Grove, IL offering 40 and 50 mile options with a fully stocked aid station every lap and a 12 hour cutoff. Runs alongside The Next Loop series but is scored separately.