Trail Running calendar near Elgin 2026-2027

A looped trail event offering 50K, 25K, and a 5-mile option on mostly single-track terrain with staffed aid stations and an organizer focus on community and inclusion.

Howloween 5K in Schaumburg is a chip timed 5K run or walk at Busse Woods that supports animal shelters. Pets may join without registration and a virtual participation option is available.

A nighttime run and walk at Lake County Fairgrounds on October 30, 2026 featuring a timed 5K, a non-timed 2K, a market with live performances, costume contests, and awards.

Experience the historic Ice Age Trail during this autumn ultramarathon in the Southern Kettle Moraine Forest. Choose between 50k and 100k distances featuring on site branded wooden medals and scenic fall colors.

A multi-distance trail event in Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest offering ultra distances, a 50K and a 15K Fun Run, with aid stations, pacing rules, finisher awards, and proceeds funding forest projects.

Trail runs and a walking option use a rolling park course that starts at the southwest corner and returns through woods, service road, and open sections with occasional rough footing and visible seasonal foliage.

A trail running event at Camp Big Timber in Elgin with 3 miles, 5 miles and a kids 1/4 mile fun run. The course includes grass, gravel, single-track and a cold creek crossing; proceeds support local youth organizations.

A half trail run at Stoney Run County Park on November 14, 2026 that follows two overlapping loops over grass, gravel, pavement and single-track trails. On-course aid stations are provided and timing uses a popsicle stick system.

Late November trail festival in Lemont IL offering 10K, 20K, 30K and 60K on single and double track and gravel around historic quarries and the I&M Canal. Courses start and finish at The Forge and use lap formats.

Explore the forest trails and hills of Lake Geneva at this multi distance trail event. Choose from several individual races or join a team relay for a day of outdoor activity and festival atmosphere.

Bucks & Does 13.1 Pointer is a multi-distance running, walking, and ruck event at Nashotah Park on 11/14/2026. Distances range from a youth Bambi Run to a 13.1 Pointer, and every finisher receives a wooden finisher medal.

A community Turkey Trot through Atwood Park near 5k with chipped timing, common trail obstacles and door prizes. No GPS or timing devices are allowed and donations are collected for local causes.

A Thanksgiving 5K on the Green Bay Trail at Winnetka Train Station featuring rolling start waves, a family division, packet pickup before race day, post-race refreshments, and support for local charities.

Four winter trail races in Dixon, IL totaling 31 miles, with distances from 5K to 20K on varied terrain. Series prizes include overall standings and age category awards, and registration fees are nonrefundable.

A Canicross focused running event at Lake Geneva Ziplines and Adventures offering a 4 mile loop with an option to do two loops for 8 miles. Dogs may run hands free in Canicross or on a y shaped harness with a handheld leash.

A night out and back trail event in Lake Mills, WI offering 16 mile and 31 mile distances on a flat crushed-limestone rails to trails course with aid stations, required lights and reflectors, and finish tokens.

A winter obstacle race at Lake Geneva offering 5K, 10K, a 20K Yeti Challenge, a kids course, team packs and a virtual option. Fun heats allow skipping obstacles while the Elite division requires full obstacle completion for podiums.

A winter timed ultra in Dousman, Wisconsin offering 6, 12, and 24 hour options for solo runners or relay teams of up to four, set in winter woods and on a frozen lake with warming shelters, hot drinks, a meal, and finisher items included.

Early-season trail races at The Forge in Lemont, Illinois, on wooded single and double track trails with mud, roots and gravel. Distances offered are 13.1 miles and 6.5 miles with technical singletrack sections.

Trail races at Sunset Hill Farm in Valparaiso offer 30k, 50k and 50 mile options with a 16 hour time limit. One aid station is on site and finishers receive event apparel and distance specific awards.