Trail Running calendar near Lake County 2025-2026

The Jennie Hamilton Memorial 5 Mile Trail Run takes place at Stoney Run County Park in Hebron, Indiana. This trail race features a challenging 5-mile course marked with flags and arrows at major turns, including natural obstacles such as mud, bugs, and a pond crossing near the end, with a detour opt..

The Oakadoke Trail Runs, held in Valparaiso, Indiana, offer a scenic and challenging summer trail running experience at Creekside Trails. Participants can choose from three distances: 18 miles, 9 miles, and 4 miles. The 9-mile course is a full loop featuring tree-covered single-track paths, winding..

The Summer Trail Classic is a trail running event held at Paul Douglas Forest Preserve in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. It offers three race distances: approximately 4 miles, 9.5 miles, and 13 miles, featuring twisting single-track trails that provide a true trail running experience. The event is part..

The Chupacabra Endurance Run is a 10-hour endurance race held at Bluhm County Park in Westville, Indiana, as part of the Crazy Legs Race Series in 2025. Participants run multiple loops of a 3.4-3.5 mile trail with minimal pavement, completing each loop within one hour to avoid elimination. The event..

The Naperville Trails Half Marathon & 10K is an annual running event held in Wheaton, Illinois, set for September 6, 2025. Participants can choose between a USATF-certified half marathon or 10K distance, both featuring a flat and fast course that winds through the scenic Danada Forest Preserve on cr..

The Mt. Baldhead Challenge, held in Saugatuck, Michigan, is a premier multi-terrain race celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. Participants can choose between a 10K+ (approximately 7 miles) or a Half Marathon (13.1 miles), both featuring a mix of woodland trails, forested dunes, scenic waterfron..

The Hobo Trail Runs, hosted by Rockford Road Runners, take place at Rock Cut State Park in Rockford, Illinois. This annual event offers multiple trail running distances including 10k, 25k, and 50k races, with options to participate in single races or the challenging Triple Crown series (85k total) o..

Dirt Circus - Chicago is a free community running event held in Crystal Lake, Illinois, celebrating local trail running and races. Organized by UltraSignup, this one-day festival features a social group run with options of 3 or 5 miles through scenic Veteran Acres Park. The event fosters camaraderie..

Timely Nonsense is a unique timed running event held in Chicago, IL, at a 58-acre park located at California and Montrose. Participants run a 0.75-mile paved loop for either 6 or 12 hours, with an aid station at the start/finish offering typical ultrarunning fare and additional vendor treats like ho..

Half Day at the Lake is a unique 6- or 12-hour ultra-running event held in Evanston, Illinois, along a scenic 2-mile loop featuring the lakefront and Northwestern University campus. The course combines paved paths and crushed gravel, offering beautiful views of the Chicago skyline. Runners share the..

The Tryon Farm 50k is a trail running event held at Tryon Farm in Michigan City, Indiana. The course features an 8-loop 4-mile circuit through a mix of open grassy fields, single-track dirt trails, and small pavement sections connecting different trail areas. The event also offers shorter distances..

The DIRWIN DASH, A Bearded Bash is a 5K run/walk event held annually in Waukesha, Wisconsin, at Fox River Park. This race honors the memory of Dave Irwin, a beloved guidance counselor and cross country enthusiast from Heritage Christian School. The course features a scenic trail through the woods, o..

The Lapham Peak Colorama Run/Walk is an annual fall running event held at Lapham Peak State Forest in Delafield, Wisconsin. Celebrating its 36th year in 2025, the event features 5K and 10K courses on wide, well-groomed ski and hiking trails, with the 5K covering the park's middle level and the 10K f..

The Fall Trail Classic 2.0 is a trail running event held at Marengo Ridge Conservation Area in Marengo, Illinois. It features two races on the same day: a 4-mile run through oak and hickory woodlands, small stream bridges, and restored prairie trails, and a 7-mile run that includes the 4-mile loop p..

Zachariah's Acres Fall Run, Walk & Roll is a scenic event held in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, featuring a 5K, half marathon, and a family-friendly 1-mile walk/roll. Set on 125 acres of natural beauty, the course includes tree-lined paths, wildflowers, prairie grass, ponds, and vibrant fall colors. The fa..

The Des Plaines River Trail Races, held in Lake County, Illinois, offer a scenic and fast trail running experience with distances including a Half Marathon, Marathon (Boston Qualifier), 50K, and 50 Mile ultra. Starting and finishing at Half Day Forest Preserve, the course features a flat, wide, crus..

Soul Crusher is a challenging trail running event held in Crystal Lake, Illinois, offering 5-mile and 10-mile distances. The course, designed by Jeff Lenard, is known as the toughest 5-mile loop in the Midwest, with runners able to complete one or two loops depending on their endurance. The race sta..

The Buckley 5 Miler is a scenic and challenging cross-country trail race held at the Buckley Homestead in Lowell, Indiana. The 5-mile course features a 2-mile loop on the north side of the park followed by a 3-mile loop through the park, finishing at the pioneer farm. Runners encounter a picturesque..

The Fancy Nonsense 25K/50K is a whimsical ultramarathon held in the Palos Trail System near Willow Springs and Lemont, Illinois, about 20 minutes from downtown Chicago. Runners can choose from 25K, 50K, or 5-mile distances on a mostly single-track, 5.5-mile loop course that starts and finishes at Re..

Among the Trees is an ultramarathon event held in Dousman, Wisconsin, featuring 100k and 50k race distances. Set within the scenic Southern Kettle Moraine Forest along the historic Ice Age Trail, the course offers runners a challenging and picturesque experience amid vibrant fall colors. Both races..