Trail Running Calendar Illinois 2026-2027

Five Thursday nights in July at Maxwell Park in Normal, IL featuring 800 meter, 2 mile and 3 mile cross country races. Weekly entry is $5 or $20 for all five nights; awards night with age-group prizes is on 7/30.

A July 4 road race in Springfield with 5K, mile and 10K options, professional timing for the 5K and 10K, participant shirt, medal and age group awards. Volunteer roles are available.

Experience flowing singletrack and deep ravines at Black Partridge Park in Metamora. This five mile trail race features creek crossings and steep climbs through mature Illinois forests.

A trail 5K at Byron Forest Preserve with chip timing and awards by age group, plus a 1 mile Fun Run with a participation medal. Parking and indoor restrooms are available onsite.

H-F Beast Obstacle Course Dash in Homewood, IL on July 12, 2026 features two age categories with obstacle runs. The event awards finisher medals and t shirts and includes an optional prep course in June.

A team-focused 5K cross country race behind the Carterville Community Center on July 17, 2026, with grass, gravel, and paved sections. Teams compete by standard XC scoring and medals and team awards are presented.

A repeat-loop endurance event at Lowell Park in Dixon, IL offering 6, 12 and 24 hour options on a 0.411 mile paved loop. Self supported with space for personal aid stations, water provided, and a three person relay option.

Test your endurance on the technical river bluff trails of Illinois with distances ranging from a half marathon to 100 miles. Experience rolling hills and steep climbs within the beautiful wooded canopy of Camp Wokanda.

Backyard Ultra at Quail Ridge Farm in Albion IL on July 18 2026. Registration includes a t-shirt and a $10 food truck voucher, camping is available the night before, and an optional $1 per lap prize pool is planned.

A 5K trail race on July 18, 2026 that opens private trails on Elkhart Hill near Elkhart, Illinois, featuring old-growth timber, historic sites, and panoramic overlooks. Registration runs June 18 to July 18 and the fee is $30.

An evening cross-country meet at Detweiller Park on July 24, 2026, with races for kids, middle school, high school, and open competitors plus a kids' fun run; registration closes July 23 and parking is $10 cash per vehicle.

A 5K trail race on July 25, 2026 in Charleston, IL featuring winding forest trails, a one‑third mile crossing of the Embarras River, about 1,100 feet of elevation gain, and a small field capped at 125 runners with a post-race pancakes and i..

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..

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 endurance runs on a 1.01 mile loop at Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville, IL, with a mixed crushed limestone and pavement surface. Field limited to 120; proceeds support the nature center.

An evening trail event in Dixon, IL offering 5, 10 and 15 Miler options plus a 15 Miler relay. The looped grass, gravel, and dirt course includes single track, one aid station at start and finish, finish snacks, and awards.

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.