Trail Running calendar near Lake County 2026-2027

A free community trail running festival in Crystal Lake, IL that gathers race directors, run clubs, brands, and vendors for a social run, expo, food, and a raffle. Two route options are offered and the event is cupless.

Inaugural Carrera de las Rosas at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines offers in person and virtual races, a kids run, and a wheelchair roll with an emphasis on inclusion and a cultural rose ritual.

A trail ultrarun at Richard Bong State Recreation Area on June 6, 2026 offering Backyard 24, 24 hour, 12 hour, 6 hour, and 3 hour options, on marked loops with on site camping and a required park pass.

A trail running event at Saw Wee Kee Park in Yorkville on June 6, 2026. The soft, twisting path is bib timed with staggered starts and is part of a four run series that awards pieces of a 2026 medal and seasonal swag.

A community 5K on June 6, 2026 in Joliet along the Rock Run Greenway Trail with start and finish at Cemeno's Pizza. Proceeds benefit the Pat Clark Cancer Foundation to support local cancer patients and families.

A trail race at Hickory Knolls Nature Area offering 5K, 10K and a 10K two person relay on marked dirt grass and gravel paths; proceeds support the St Charles Park Foundation.

An annual June endurance trail event featuring 100 mile, 100k, 50k and 38 mile options on mainly Ice Age Trail terrain. Entry for 2026 is by lottery with an ordered waitlist and early invites for rollovers and volunteers.

Experience an authentic cross country race on a purpose built grass course in Geneva Illinois. Run as an individual or part of a team on this wide professional grade venue featuring rolling terrain and a classic atmosphere.

A Spartan Trail race on June 20, 2026 at Rice Lake Nature Trail in Whitewater, WI, using a scenic out and back section of the Ice Age Trail. The route offers three distances and varying trail surfaces from smooth to technical.

A staged trail race where runners complete scheduled 3–4 mile Holes and aim for the lowest cumulative stroke score. Distances include a nine-Hole 50K and a three-Hole 10-mile option at Creekside Trails in Valparaiso.

A multi distance event at Hobart Middle School with a road and Oak Savannah Trail out and back route, computerized bib timing, and trademark brick awards across many age divisions.

Trail races at Wolf Road Woods on June 27, 2026 offer three loop choices covering 3, 6 and 9 miles with varied off-road surfaces, tiered registration fees and post-race refreshments and awards.

Trail 5K and a children's 1/4 mile at Kishwauketoe Nature Center in Williams Bay. The grass trail course passes through hills, woods and prairie, includes a water stop, parking across the street, and awards for top finishers.

A 5K trail event at North Lake Park in Stevensville MI that raises funds for Alzheimer’s causes. The event is not timed and awards prizes to the three participants who catch the most deer flies using Tred Not Deerfly patches.

A trail run and walk at Lapham Peak State Forest on July 11, 2026, raising funds for prairie management; events for adults and youth, first 100 registrants receive a T-shirt and run winners receive awards.

H-F Beast Obstacle Course Dash in Homewood, IL on July 12, 2026 features two age categories with obstacle runs. The event awards finisher medals and t shirts and includes an optional prep course in June.

Midwest trail races at Creekside Trails in Valparaiso, IN offering 4, 9, and 18 mile options over single-track, switchbacks and creek crossings. Aid stations, a cupless format, post race meal and custom finisher awards are provided.

A 10K walk/run on August 1, 2026, through the Nordic Trail System in Kettle Moraine State Forest with water refill stations, trail snacks, a cup-less policy, and donations supporting The Salvation Army.

A community cross country event in Mount Prospect offering 1, 2 and 3 mile races. Entry is $25 and proceeds benefit the Little Giraffe Foundation.

A Scottish Highlander themed obstacle race in Pingree Grove, Illinois featuring 3K family, 5K and 15K heats with 20 to 30 obstacles, plus a torch lit night race and a haunted 5K. Spectator fee on-site is $10 and parking is free.