Trail Running calendar near Sterling 2025-2026

The Pinetum Mind Games Endurance Event, held at Lowell Park in Dixon, Illinois, is a unique running challenge featuring a 0.411-mile loop course through the pine tree upper loop area. Participants can choose from 6, 12, or 24-hour solo runs or three-person relays, starting on a Friday evening. The e..

The Chupacabra Trail Races take place in Dixon, Illinois, featuring night trail running on a 5-mile loop course composed of grass, gravel, dirt, and 30% single track. Participants can choose from distances of 5, 10, or 15 miles by completing one to three laps, or join a three-person relay team. The..

The Mines of Spain Trail Races, held at the EB Lyons Nature Center in Dubuque, Iowa, offer 4-mile, 7-mile, and half marathon trail runs through scenic and challenging terrain. Participants experience diverse trails including dirt single and double tracks, prairie grass paths, rocky technical section..

The New Glarus Woods Trail Run is an annual event held at New Glarus Woods State Park in Wisconsin, part of the Savanna Trail Run Series. The 6th edition features multiple race distances: a 1-mile kids' fun run, 5 km, 8 km, and 16 km trail runs. The event supports the development of mountain bike tr..

ScoCo50 is a trail running event held at scenic Scott County Park in Long Grove, Iowa, offering 50K, 10-mile, and 5-mile race distances. The course features a mostly dirt and grass trail loop of about 10 miles with approximately 950 feet of elevation gain per loop, winding through wooded and prairie..

The Gristmill Grind 10K is a challenging trail race held annually at Franklin Creek State Park in Franklin Grove, Illinois. Known as one of the most difficult 10Ks in the area, the course features technical trails with approximately 800 feet of elevation gain, multiple hill climbs, and four creek cr..

The Cornell Days 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk is a family-friendly running event held in Cornell, Illinois, starting at Clinton Keith Mills Memorial Park. The race features an out-and-back course along the county blacktop roads through the scenic countryside, suitable for both first-time runners and e..

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..

Last Dot Standing is a unique endurance running event held at Belleville Community Park in Belleville, Wisconsin. Participants alternate running 4.2-mile legs between Belleville and Dot's Tavern, a historic local tavern, with one hour to complete each segment. The race continues hourly until only on..

The Tiger 10 Miler is an annual trail race held at Byron Forest Preserve and the Nardi Equine Prairie in Byron, Illinois. This 10-mile course features twists, turns, and hills, offering a challenging and scenic run through natural settings. Participants receive a custom finisher's medal, shirt, and..

The 4sta Hike is an annual trail running event held at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve near Andalusia, Illinois, along the Mississippi River. Participants run a challenging 1-mile loop featuring smooth single track, rocks, roots, downed trees, and steep gradients up to 48%. The course offers two option..

Hindsight Ultra Trail Runs, held in Dixon, Illinois, offers a grassroots ultra running experience with distances of 25K, 50K, 100K, and 100 miles. The course features a 7.85-mile loop combining roughly 50% singletrack, 30% grassy meadow paths, and 20% gravel, with about 6,200 feet of elevation gain..

The Swiss Valley Trail Races, held in Peosta, Iowa, offer runners three distance options: 5.2 miles, 25K, and 50K. Set within the scenic Swiss Valley Nature Preserve, the course features rugged terrain, creek crossings, and steep inclines, with each 5.2-mile loop climbing approximately 875 feet. The..

The Hennepin Hundred is a premier ultramarathon held in Sterling, Illinois, featuring 100-mile, 50-mile, 50K, and 100-mile team relay races. The point-to-point course follows the scenic, flat, and fast Hennepin Canal State Trail, Illinois’ longest multi-use trail, stretching from Sterling to Colona..

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..

The Farmdale Trail Run, held October 11-12, 2025, takes place at Farmdale Reservoir near East Peoria, Illinois. This premier trail event offers multiple distances: 10K, half marathon, 30-mile, 50-mile, and 100-mile ultras. The course features miles of single-track trails, service roads, and open pra..

The Mines of Spain 100 is a challenging Midwest trail ultramarathon held in Dubuque, Iowa, set in the scenic bluffs, prairies, and forests of the Driftless Region along the Mississippi River valley. The event offers two distances: 100 miles (five loops) and 100 kilometers (three loops) on a roughly..

The Miner 49er is an endurance running event held in the scenic Mines of Spain near Dubuque, Iowa. It features two race distances: a 25K out-and-back course with about 2,200 feet of elevation gain, and a 50K race that covers the 25K route twice, totaling approximately 4,400 feet of gain. Runners exp..

The Frozen Gnome is a challenging winter trail running event held in Crystal Lake, Illinois, at Veteran Acres park. Featuring a "Triple Black Diamond" rated course, the race offers a 50K ultra run, a 10K race, and relay options for teams of two or five. The course consists of a scenic 10K single-tra..

The Skunk Ape 806/314 Trail Race, held at Lowell Park in Dixon, Illinois, is a unique endurance event featuring two main race distances: 33.75 miles to be completed in 8 hours and 6 minutes, and 13.5 miles in 3 hours and 14 minutes. The course consists of a 2.25-mile single-track loop through wooded..