Trail Running calendar near Charleston 2026-2027

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.

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..

A two lap 10 km trail run around Stryker Lake at Griffin Bike Park on August 1, 2026 with rolling hills, generally stable footing, onsite registration, and series bonus points for finishers.

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..

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.

Experience the 46th annual trail run through Kickapoo State Recreation Area featuring a scenic pond loop and a longer 95 percent trail course with creek crossings and steep hills.

Experience fast rolling terrain at the Sand Creek Trail Run in Decatur. Choose between 4.4 and 7.6 mile distances to support the Special Operations Warrior Foundation through the scenic Macon County Conservation District.

Operation Obstacle is a timed 2 mile obstacle course on September 19, 2026 at Richland Community College that raises awareness and funds to address veteran suicide.

A two-day Spartan Trifecta at Badlands Off Road in Attica, IN on Sep 26-27, 2026 featuring Sprint, Super, Beast and kids races across dunes, rocky trails, forests and creek beds with multiple obstacles.

A 5K trail run or walk at Patriot's Park in Greenville on 09/26/2026 focused on community support for children and families affected by childhood cancer, with registration open 03/02/2026 and a $35 fee.

A two-day trail running event at Willenborg Woods in Charleston, IL on October 16 and 17, 2026, offering distances from 5K up to 100K. The course features single-track, riverside paths, creeks and technical sections with full course marking..

A fall event at Allerton Park featuring a 5.7 mile trail run, a 2 mile nature walk, and a virtual 5.7 mile option. The riverside course has roots, ruts, and sharp turns, with awards, costume prizes, and park donations.

A community road-and-trail event at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana supporting Grand Prairie Friends, offering 5K and 10K runs, a 5K walk, plus virtual options, medals, and t-shirts.

A 10K trail race and a 1 mile fun run and walk at Hawthorn Park in Terre Haute on November 14, 2026, with course maps, awards by five year age groups, and postrace food including a vegetarian option.

Trail races in Owen-Putnam State Forest offer 10K, 14 miles, 50K and 50 miles on mostly single track trails. Courses include substantial elevation gain, rugged terrain and muddy sections.

A Backyard Ultra near Wingate, Indiana on a measured 4 miles 880 feet loop. Runners repeat the circuit each hour, using mixed surfaces and common aid stations, until one competitor completes one more loop than all others.

A Backyard Ultra on June 5, 2027 in Charleston, IL, featuring repeated 4.167-mile loops on single-track and grass trails at Willenborg Woods; hourly laps continue until one runner remains and a Bronze Ticket is awarded.