Trail Running calendar near St. Charles 2026-2027

Looped trail event at Half Day Forest Preserve in Vernon Hills with a 5K loop and multiple distance options. The course runs on crushed limestone, gravel, and natural trails through woodlands, prairies, and riverfront scenery.

A 3.62-mile all-grass cross-country race at Lovelace Park in Evanston with individual and team entries, tiered entry fees by registration period, a performance shirt with entry, and a post-race awards gathering with food.

A technical trail event at Franklin Creek State Natural Area featuring 5K and 10K routes with multiple creek crossings, limestone bluffs, and awards. Proceeds support the Franklin Creek Conservation Association.

Timed 24 hour, 12 hour and 6 hour runs take place at Lapham Peak State Park on September 5 and 6, 2026, on a one mile loop with night lighting and chip timing. The event includes a cupless aid station and a Distance division.

Set on the crushed limestone trails of Danada Forest Preserve in Naperville on Sep 5, 2026, this USATF certified event offers a chip timed half marathon and 10K, finisher medals, pacers, live tracking, and shuttle parking from off site lots..

A three day trail event at Rock Cut State Park featuring a night 10 km plus 25 km and 50 km races, with single race entries and Triple Crown series options that award commemorative spike prizes to finishers.

A remembrance event at the Lake County Fairgrounds Grandstand in Crown Pont, IN where participants climb 17 laps totaling 1,980 steps or join a 1 mile non timed walk. The event includes hero wristbands, limited finisher medals, and supports..

A timed urban ultra at Horner Park offering 3, 6, and 12 hour options on a short paved loop. Hourly playful challenges, a single aid station, and two- or four-person relay options add variety.

Turbo Trot and Mini Road Race Rally in Geneva combines a 2.5 mile run, a 1 mile kids race, and a battery car rally for ages 3 to 8 at Peck Farm Park. The event raises funds for the Geneva Park District Scholarship Fund.

A one-day trail running festival at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve in Beecher, IL offering 5K, 10K, 10K RUCK, 20K, 30K and 50K on looped trail courses. The event is cupless with aid stations and provides race shirts, medals, and awards.

A Backyard Ultra on the Rock River Parkway where runners repeat a GPS-verified 4.167-mile loop each hour until one remains. Entry is limited to 150 runners and includes an on-site aid station and crew zone.

An obstacle course race at Indiana Dunes National Park on September 13, 2026, featuring 10k, 5K and a K9 3.1-mile event. The course uses varied landscapes to reflect terrains associated with military service.

A multi-distance obstacle course event on rugged terrain near Marseilles Illinois featuring 5K and 10K options, a kid's loop, ruck categories with recommended weights, and a multi-lap Bearded Challenge. Finisher shirt, medal, and action pho..

Experience ten miles of hills and winding trails through the Byron Forest Preserve and Nardi Equine Prairie. This cup free race features cash prizes and a post race celebration with pizza at Hairy Cow Brewing Company.

A loop-based running event at Limestone Park offering 8 hour and 4 hour races on a 1.65 mile course with mixed crushed limestone and asphalt terrain. Scoring is by completed loops and proceeds support local organizations.

Echo 136 in Whitewater, WI is a 136 mile trail ultramarathon on the Ice Age State Trail with a 55 hour cutoff and 10 aid stations. The event lists about 11,148 ft of ascent and is organized by TYDISH Running.

A grassroots looped ultramarathon in Dixon, IL with a roughly 7.85 mile loop and distances to 100 miles. The course mixes singletrack, meadow and gravel, features two aid stations, allows crew and pacers, and awards finishers.

A multi-distance run and walk at Moraine Hills State Park on September 26, 2026 offering 5K, 10K and half marathon options plus a virtual period in September to support Friends of Moraine Hills State Park.

Experience the Bloomingdale Trail Run in Chicago featuring a timed 5K and short dashes for youth. This annual event offers a variety of distances on an urban trail for a family friendly day of running.

A timed 12 hour and 6 hour loop race along the Evanston lakefront with two aid stations, public facilities, handcrafted finisher awards and a finisher beverage from Sketchbook Brewery. Packet pickup is available in Evanston.