Trail Running calendar near Lemont 2025-2026

Celebrate Earth Day on April 18 at Veterans Acres in Crystal Lake with scenic single track trails and rolling hills, choosing from 50K, 15 mile or 5 mile distances. Enjoy a big aid station with homemade snacks and bring a reusable bottle.

Childish Nonsense is a playful trail race each late April at Deer Grove Forest Preserve West in Palatine, Illinois. Distances from 10K to 50 mile cover rolling crushed gravel loops with a friendly community vibe and plenty of shenanigans.

Run the Great Western Half Marathon and 10K on a flat out and back limestone path along the historic Great Western Trail. Hosted by Fox River Trail Runners, this longtime race supports local mental health charities.

Run scenic horse and forest trails at Teason's Woods on May 9, 2026 with a 26.2 mile marathon or a 10 mile option. Finishers get a wooden medal and can refuel with hot chili and beer.

Experience the Jennie Hamilton Memorial 5 mile trail run at Stoney Run County Park in Hebron, Indiana on May 25, 2026. Expect scenic but rugged trails with a pond crossing option, midcourse aid, and a finisher water bottle.

Celebrate the 25th anniversary 5K for Double "J" in Joliet on June 6, 2026 as participants run the Rock Run Greenway and finish at Cemeno's. Proceeds support the Pat Clark Cancer Foundation and registration includes a T shirt and medal.

Run the DBC Gifts of Love Community 5K in Flossmoor on June 20 to provide book bags and school supplies for homeless children. Choose onsite or virtual, earn a medal and enjoy post race snacks while supporting a great cause.

Take on the Trail Golf Endurance Challenge in Valparaiso on June 27, 2026 at Trailyard Outpost. Choose 50K, 10 mile or relay teams and tackle looped timed holes with rolling climbs and golf style scoring that blends pace and strategy.

Tackle tree covered single track and creek crossings at Oakadoke Trail Runs in Valparaiso on August 1, 2026, with 18 mile, 9 mile, and 4 mile options for all abilities. Custom finisher awards and youth pricing make this a fun family friendl..

Run the Rails in Elburn on August 22, 2026 is a community fundraiser at Prairie Park supporting the Elburn Parks Commission. Choose a 1 mile fun run, a 4 mile or 7 mile race, earn kid medals and age group awards and celebrate local parks.

Run the GristMill Grind on September 5, 2026 at Franklin Creek State Natural Area, a hilly technical trail offering 5K and 10K routes through ravines, limestone bluffs, springs and creek crossings. Proceeds support park conservation.

Experience scenic 4 mile loops across grassy fields and single track trails at Tryon Farm, with distances from a 2 mile fun run to a 50k ultra. Proceeds support Tryon Farm Institute and the race is part of the Crazy Legs series.

Haunted Highlander Assault Trail Run offers a spooky 5k in McHenry, IL with haunted sets, animatronics and actors across timed heats. Stick around for a costume contest, bonfire, live music and food.

Join the Jaimie Cox Memorial Run in Roscoe for a scenic nature 5K or a casual 2 mile walk along Stone Bridge Trail from Roscoe Middle School. Kids get a youth tee and virtual entries help fund the Jaimie Cox Memorial Scholarship.

Fancy Nonsense is a looped trail race at Red Gate Woods near Willow Springs and Lemont, Illinois, with 50K, 25K and 5 mile options on runnable singletrack. Expect repeated 5.5 mile loops, plentiful aid and classic ultra snacks.

Join the Bigfoot Half Trail Run on November 14, 2026 at Stoney Run County Park in Hebron, IN for a scenic two-loop course across fields, trails and gravel. Enjoy on-course aid, raffle prizes and event merch in a friendly, relaxed race atmos..

The Forge Trail Run Festival in Lemont Illinois offers 10K to 60K on scenic single and double track trails around the quarries and the I&M Canal. Field capped at 400 with lap courses that call for trail shoes and self supported hydration.