Trail Running Calendar Illinois 2025-2026

Glazin' the Trail is a family-friendly run/walk event held at Kankakee Community College in Kankakee, Illinois. This donut-themed event features a 5K Donut Dash and a shorter 2K Sprinkle Sprint, both designed for participants of all ages, including children under 12 who can join for free. The course..

The Elsa Chicken Plucker Backyard Ultra is a unique trail running event held at Willenborg Woods near Charleston, Illinois. Set on 149 acres of well-maintained trails, the race features a 4.167-mile loop that runners must complete every hour, day and night, with a mix of single-track, grass trails,..

The Trail Trot Cross Country 5K and Kid's Fun Run is an exciting running event taking place at the Crawford County Recreation Center in Robinson, Illinois. This inaugural event features a 5K cross country race that traverses the scenic Lincoln Trail College campus, primarily on grass with some paved..

The Lincoln Memorial Garden Trail Race 8K is set to take place in Springfield, Illinois, on June 7, 2025. This event features an 8K trail race that winds through the scenic trails of the Lincoln Memorial Garden, alongside Lake Springfield, and across the Ostermeier Prairie Center grounds. Participan..

The Yellowbrick Backyard Ultra is a unique endurance running event held at Kinsey Park in Peoria, Illinois. Featuring a whimsical Wizard of Oz-themed setting, the race takes place on a scenic 100% single-track trail with no roads or water crossings, surrounded by local wildlife. The format is a "las..

The Hickory Knolls Trail Run, held at Hickory Knolls Nature Area in St. Charles, Illinois, offers 5K and 10K individual races plus a 10K two-person relay. The course features a scenic, approximately 3-mile loop of grass, dirt, and gravel trails with a mix of flat sections and hills, set in a diverse..

The Pinetum Mind Games Endurance Event, held at Lowell Park in Dixon, Illinois, is a unique endurance challenge featuring 6, 12, and 24-hour running or relay options. Participants run, walk, or crawl around a 0.411-mile loop known as the Pinetum, testing their mental toughness in a fun, supportive a..

The Quail Ridge Farm Backyard Ultra will take place in Albion on Saturday 19 July 2025.

The Chupacabra Trail Races take place in Dixon, Illinois, featuring night trail running on a 5-mile loop course composed of grass, gravel, dirt, and 30% single track. Participants can choose from distances of 5, 10, or 15 miles, or join a three-person relay team. The race starts just before sunset,..

The Shawnee Hills Trail Races, held at Camp Ondessonk in Ozark, Illinois, offer challenging ultramarathon distances including 100 miles, 100K, 50K, and a half marathon. Set within the scenic Shawnee National Forest, the course features a figure-eight loop with 80% single-track trails, technical terr..

The Gristmill Grind 10K is a challenging trail race held annually at Franklin Creek State Park in Franklin Grove, Illinois. Known as one of the most difficult 10Ks in the area, the course features technical trails with approximately 800 feet of elevation gain, multiple hills, and four creek crossing..

The Temptation 200 Ultras, held in Sand Ridge State Forest near Forest City, Illinois, is a challenging ultramarathon event celebrating its 7th anniversary in 2025. The race offers multiple distances: a grueling 200K, a 50K, and a "Not At All Tempted" 10K. The 200K starts early Saturday and must be..

The Naperville Trails Half Marathon & 10K is an annual running event held in Wheaton, Illinois, at the scenic Danada Forest Preserve. Scheduled for September 6, 2025, the race offers both half marathon and 10K distances, including virtual options. The course is USATF certified, featuring a flat and..

The Kennekuk Road Runners - Wild Wild Wilderness is an annual running event held in Oakwood, Illinois, featuring a variety of races including a 5K, a 7.45-mile trail run, and the WWW Challenge. This event celebrates community spirit and resilience, welcoming both seasoned runners and newcomers. The..

The Last Boyscout is a challenging Last Man Standing Race held at Ferne Clyffe State Park in Goreville, Illinois. Participants navigate a tough 4.167-mile loop that includes both trail and road sections, with significant elevation gain. The race format encourages endurance and resilience, as runners..

Timely Nonsense is a unique timed running event held in Chicago, IL, at a 58-acre park located at California and Montrose. Participants run a 0.75-mile paved loop for either 6 or 12 hours, with an aid station at the start/finish offering typical ultra running fare and additional vendor treats like h..

The Big Horse 5K, hosted by Gut Check Fitness, is an exciting trail and mud run set in the scenic Big Horse Vineyards in Lewistown, Illinois. This event features a mix of natural obstacles, including hills, streams, and a thrilling slip-n-slide, making it a fun challenge for participants of all ages..

The 4sta Hike is an annual trail running event held at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve near Andalusia, Illinois, along the Mississippi River. Participants run a challenging 1-mile loop featuring smooth single track, rocks, roots, downed trees, and steep gradients up to 48%. The course offers two option..

The Tiger 10 Miler is an annual trail race held in Byron, Illinois, featuring a challenging 10-mile course through the scenic Byron Forest Preserve and Nardi Equine Prairie. Participants receive a custom finisher's medal, a race shirt, and have the chance to win awards in various age categories. The..

Half Day at the Lake is a unique 6- and 12-hour ultramarathon held in Evanston, Illinois, along a scenic 2-mile loop on Chicago’s north shore lakefront path. The course features paved and crushed gravel surfaces, passing through Evanston’s lakefront and Northwestern University’s campus, offering bea..