Trail Running Calendar Illinois 2025-2026

Hit the trails at Timber Pointe for a scenic cross country style 8K, 4K or multi lap challenge with possible deer and eagle sightings. Partial proceeds benefit the nature center and finishers enjoy post race food and warm company.

Join Strong As Oak and Varsity Rush at Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora on Dec 6, 2025 for 5K and 10K trail races plus kids events on mixed terrain. Hilly course, varied surfaces and finisher medals for all.

Join the 36th Pere Marquette Endurance Trail Run on December 13, 2025 in Grafton, Illinois. This 7.8 mile route winds through Pere Marquette State Park with hilly, scenic terrain plus pre race coffee, packet pickup in the lodge, and post ra..

Start 2026 at the Siberian Express, a 7.45 mile winter trail run at Kickapoo State Recreation Area on January 3. Expect steep climbs and creek crossings, carry your own hydration, and warm up at a friendly post race gathering.

Run winter single track in Crystal Lake at the Frozen Gnome on Jan 10, a Triple Black Diamond loop through Veteran Acres. Choose 50K, 10K or 50K relays for teams of 2 or 5 and warm up at the Gnome Depot with hot food and coffee.

Take on the 50K MASHUP SLAM, a Midwest trail series that spans eight scenic events and rewards runners who finish five races with a special finisher buckle. Top series placers earn awards at the final G.O.A.T.z or Miner 49'er event.

Kick off winter in Batavia with the Fox Valley Winter Challenge 5K, a scenic trail run across prairie, grass, and limestone that may feature snow or mud. It is the first of a three race series with connectable medals and winter swag.

The Frozen Tundra 5K will take place in Lincolnshire on Saturday 31 January 2026. You can run 5 kilometers.

Run the Frozen Cock's Crow 5K in Willenborg Woods on Feb 14, 2026, a rugged winter trail with steep climbs, a stream crossing and scenic singletrack. Join the trail community afterward for food, fun and warmth.

Tackle the middle race of the Fox Valley Winter Challenge Trail Series on Feb 21, 2026: an 8K at Oakhurst Forest Preserve with a steep sledding hill climb and twisty, rolling winter trails. Finishers get a custom medal and premium cold weat..

Celebrate the 16th Cactus Classic Trail Races on Mar 7, 2026 at Sand Ridge State Forest in Manito, IL. Choose marathon, half marathon or 10K and run scenic sandy pine trails dotted with wild cactus for a memorable spring trail experience.

Tackle muddy single and double track trails around Lemont Quarries with a trail half marathon or quarter marathon option on technical terrain. Enjoy chip timing, a race shirt and a post race party with food, beer and music.

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.

Run the Fox Valley Winter Challenge 10K at Hickory Knolls in St. Charles on Mar 22, 2026, over mixed trails and rolling climbs to test your pace. Finishers earn winter swag and a medal, plus extra gear for completing the series.

Chauncey’s 4 at The Farm is a friendly spring trail run at St James Farm in Winfield, IL, featuring a scenic 4 mile loop over limestone and wooded paths. Join the Dick Pond Trail Race Series and earn a collectible finisher woodallion.

Run scenic single track loops around Clinton Lake near DeWitt, IL through forests, hills and meadows with a bridge connecting the course. Choose the 30 Miler or 10 Mile, enjoy post race food and a long sleeved finisher item.

Potawatomi Trail Runs in Pekin IL celebrates 25 years with distances from 10 to 200 miles. Run scenic 10 mile single track loops through prairies and creeks, and earn shirts, medals, buckles and jackets for the longest finishes.

Run the scenic trails of Camp Ondessonk in Ozark Illinois with 5K and 10K options perfect for all abilities. Expect forest singletrack, friendly vibes and event shirts for early registrants.

Allerton Races in Monticello offers scenic trail and road distances including a half marathon, 10K and a glowing nighttime 5K. Run live or virtually while supporting Robert Allerton Park and Make A Wish Illinois, with special donor perks on..

Celebrate Earth Day on April 18 at Veterans Acres in Crystal Lake with scenic single track trails and rolling hills, choosing from 50K, 15 mile or 5 mile distances. Enjoy a big aid station with homemade snacks and bring a reusable bottle.