Trail Running calendar near Monticello 2025-2026

Join the 27th annual Rattlesnake Master Run for the Prairie in Urbana, Illinois to support Grand Prairie Friends with 5K and 10K trail and park courses plus virtual options. Expect medals, music, and a celebration of local prairies.

Enjoy a scenic wooded 5K at Ballard Nature Center on Nov 16 while supporting men's health and prostate cancer awareness. Stay for music, Trail Village and endurance and ruck challenges for extra fun.

Join the FOLEPI River Trail Classic on Saturday, November 29, 2025 in East Peoria for a scenic, mostly downhill 4 mile run along the River Trail. Pre registrants get a technical long sleeved shirt and everyone is invited to a post race pizz..

Hit the trails at Timber Pointe for a scenic cross country style 8K, 4K or multi lap challenge with possible deer and eagle sightings. Partial proceeds benefit the nature center and finishers enjoy post race food and warm company.

Start 2026 at the Siberian Express, a 7.45 mile winter trail run at Kickapoo State Recreation Area on January 3. Expect steep climbs and creek crossings, carry your own hydration, and warm up at a friendly post race gathering.

Run the Frozen Cock's Crow 5K in Willenborg Woods on Feb 14, 2026, a rugged winter trail with steep climbs, a stream crossing and scenic singletrack. Join the trail community afterward for food, fun and warmth.

Run among pine forests and wild cactus at the Cactus Classic Trail Races in Sand Ridge State Forest, Manito Illinois on March 7, 2026. Choose marathon, half marathon or 10K on sandy, runnable trails for a scenic, rolling challenge.

Potawatomi Trail Runs returns April 9 to 12, 2026 at McNaughton Park in Pekin, Illinois with distances from 10 mile to a 200 mile epic. Tackle rugged 10 mile loops of single track, creek crossings and rolling hills, with primitive camping a..

Experience the Allerton Races in Monticello, Illinois on April 11 and 12, 2026 with a half marathon, 10K and glow trail 5K plus virtual options. Scenic courses and a welcoming community make this a perfect spring running weekend.

Test your limits at the Grind on the Grid Backyard Ultra in Wingate, IN, where runners repeat a roughly 4.17 mile out and back loop every hour until one person remains. Tents and canopies are welcome the night before and the field is limite..

Challenge yourself in 6 hour or 12 hour relays and ultras on a scenic loop of trails and roads at Hawthorn Park. Solo and team entries, camping, on site food and finisher medals make it a festive weekend of racing.

Enjoy a scenic 8K through Lincoln Memorial Garden in Springfield on May 30, 2026, weaving lakefront paths and prairie trails. Kids fun runs, post race food, and a wooden finisher medallion make this intimate event limited to 300 runners.

Push your limits at Elsa Chicken Plucker Backyard Ultra in Willenborg Woods, Charleston IL where runners run a 4.167 mile loop every hour until one remains. Enjoy trails and compete for a Bronze Ticket to the Big Dog's World Championship.

Join the 28th annual Lake Mingo Trail Run on June 6, 2026 in Danville, IL for a scenic 7.1 mile loop of trails, hills and marshes where mud and wildlife add to the fun. Celebrate with food and beer at the post race party.

Take on Madder Than A Wet Hen, a rugged 5K trail race at Willenborg Woods in Charleston on July 25, 2026, with river crossings, steep climbs and roughly 1,100 feet of gain. Field limited to 125, with post race pancakes and ice cream.

Choose your challenge at Temptation 200 Ultras on September 5 2026 at Sand Ridge State Forest near Forest City, IL, with options from the Not Tempted 10K to a loop based 50K or the epic 200K. The loop format lets runners stop at 50K 100K or..

Run the rugged Wild Wild Wilderness at Kickapoo State Recreation Area with a scenic 7.45 mile trail or 5K option. Expect steep climbs, creek crossings, awards at the finish and the chance to complete the Grand Slam.

Shake Your Trail Feather runs October 16 and 17, 2026 at Willenborg Woods in Charleston, IL, with distances from 100K to 5K on winding single track, creek crossings and riverside paths. Friendly trail support and a post race celebration awa..