Trail Running calendar near Charleston 2026-2027

Backyard ultra in Albion, Illinois on July 18, 2026. Registration includes a t-shirt if ordered by June 24 and a $10 food truck voucher, camping is available the night before, and voluntary lap donations will fund prizes.

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 summertime *5K* trail race in Charleston, Illinois featuring a one third mile river crossing and about 1,100 feet of elevation gain. Field limited to 125 runners with a postrace party serving pancakes and ice cream.

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.

A timed two mile obstacle course at Richland Community College on September 19, 2026 supporting the Student Veterans Resource Center. The course has 20 to 25 obstacles, a finish line fire truck hose down, and finisher rewards.

A weekend of obstacle races on 1,200 acres at Badlands Off Road in Attica, Indiana, on September 26 and 27, 2026. Distances include Sprint 5 km, Super 10 km, Beast 21 km and a kids race with 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.

Shake Your Trail Feather Trail Run at Willenborg Woods on October 18 offers distances from a 5K to a 100K across timber, riverside paths, creeks and hills. The event features full course marking, community support and a post-race celebratio..

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 race around Meadowbrook Park in Urbana offering 5K and 10K runs, a 5K walk, and virtual options to benefit Grand Prairie Friends, with medals, optional shirts, music, and packet pickup.

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 trail event at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area in DeWitt, IL featuring 30 mile and 10 mile races over three 10 mile loops with about 1500 feet gain per loop. The race uses no chip timing, requires volunteer service, and prohibits cups..

Backyard Ultra in Wingate, IN on April 17, 2027 where competitors run repeated loops of 4 miles 880 feet on mixed surfaces; each loop starts every hour at the bell and the last runner to complete a loop is the winner.

A backyard ultra on June 5, 2027 in Charleston IL at Willenborg Woods where runners complete a 4.167 mile loop each hour for a chance to earn a Bronze Ticket toward Big Dog's Backyard Ultra World Championship.