Trail Running Calendar Illinois 2025-2026

The F^3 Cap Sauers Trail Marathon & 10 Mile is set to take place in Palos Hills, IL, on May 10, 2025. This event features a challenging marathon and a 10-mile race, both traversing the scenic Cap Sauers Holding Nature Preserve, the largest undeveloped area in Cook County. Participants will experienc..

The Galena Sky Trail Races, set for May 17, 2025, offer an exciting challenge for trail running enthusiasts at Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena, IL. Participants can choose between an 8-hour or 4-hour timed loop course, featuring scenic views of the Mississippi River. The event includes a festive..

The Chicago 7-11 Hour Endurance Run, organized by Yeti Trail Runners, is a unique trail running event set in Willow Springs, IL. Participants can choose between a 7-hour or 11-hour endurance challenge, navigating a scenic 4-mile loop through the picturesque Wolf Road Woods and Palos Preserves. The e..

The Red Cedar Trail Half Marathon and 38k takes place at Giant City State Park in Makanda, Illinois, offering a scenic and challenging course primarily on the Red Cedar Trail. Scheduled for May 24, 2025, the event features a half marathon and a 38k race, with a new second loop added for increased di..

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..

Glazin' the Trail is a family-friendly run/walk event taking place at Kankakee Community College in Illinois. Scheduled for May 31, 2025, this fun-filled morning features a donut-themed atmosphere, encouraging participants to enjoy the scenic trails along the Kankakee River. The event includes a 5K..

The Elsa Chicken Plucker Backyard Ultra is an endurance trail running event held at Willenborg Woods in Charleston, Illinois. Participants run a 4.167-mile loop every hour, with the goal of completing as many loops as possible. The event fosters a community atmosphere, emphasizing fun, challenge, an..

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. It features a "last runner standing" format, where participants run a 4.16-mile trail loop every hour until only one runner remains. The course is a scenic, single-track trail with a whimsical..

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 is an exciting running challenge held at Lowell Park in Dixon, IL. Participants can choose to compete in 6, 12, or 24-hour formats, either solo or as part of a relay team. The course consists of a .411-mile loop designed to test mental and physical endurance, e..

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, is a challenging multi-distance trail running event set in the scenic Shawnee National Forest. Runners can choose from a 100-mile, 100K, 50K, or half marathon course, which features technical terrain, rocky trails, creek cross..

The Temptation 200 Ultras is an annual running event held in Sand Ridge State Forest, Forest City, IL, featuring multiple distance options: 200K, 50K, and the "Not at all Tempted 10K." Scheduled for Labor Day Weekend 2025, this event challenges participants both physically and mentally, encouraging..

The Gristmill Grind 10K is an annual trail race held at Franklin Creek State Parks Natural Area, known for its challenging terrain and scenic views. Scheduled for August 30, 2025, this event features a 10K race with significant elevation changes and creek crossings, as well as a 1-mile walk. Partici..

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 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..

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..

Timely Nonsense is a unique running event taking place in Chicago, IL, featuring both 6-hour and 12-hour timed races. Participants can choose to run individually or as part of a relay team of two or four. The race is set in a scenic 58-acre park, where runners will navigate a 0.75-mile paved loop.Ea..