Trail Running calendar near Sterling 2024-2025

The 50K Mashup Slam is a series of challenging 50K trail races held throughout the Midwest, designed to celebrate the often-overlooked distance in ultrarunning. Kicking off in January with the Frozen Gnome 50K and concluding in November with the Miner 49er 50K, participants who complete all five rac..

The Frozen Gnome is a challenging winter running event taking place in Crystal Lake, IL, featuring a scenic and demanding triple black diamond course. Participants can choose between a 50K ultra run or a 10K race, both set in the picturesque Veteran Acres and Sterne’s Woods. The 50K consists of five..

The Triple D Winter Race is an exciting endurance event held in Dubuque County, featuring both biking and running challenges. Participants can choose from various distances, including a 70-mile bike race, a 50K ultra marathon, and a 5K stroll, catering to all skill levels. The race showcases the sce..

The Bald Unyielding Twilight Trail Trial is an exciting ultra-running event taking place at the Bald Hill Prairie Preserve in Mount Morris, Illinois. Scheduled for February 22-23, 2025, this unique race features timed events of 3, 6, and 12 hours, allowing participants to test their endurance in the..

The K's of Convenience is an urban ultra running event hosted by Quad Cities Trail & Ultra Runners in Davenport, IA. Participants can choose between a 50K and a 25K distance, with the course designed for urban exploration on open roads and bike paths. This grassroots event emphasizes runner safety, ..

The Skunk Ape 806/314 Trail Race is an exciting running event taking place on March 22, 2025, at Lowell Park in Dixon, IL. Participants can choose between two challenging distances: 33.75 miles to be completed in 8 hours and 6 minutes, or 13.5 miles in 3 hours and 14 minutes. The race features a uni..

The Loud Thunder 50 is a trail running event taking place at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve in Illinois City, IL, featuring three race distances: 50 miles, 50K, and a half marathon. Scheduled for April 19, 2025, this event aims to provide a challenging yet rewarding experience for runners amidst the s..

The Earth Day 50K/15 Mile/5 Mile event, taking place on April 26, 2025, in Crystal Lake, IL, offers participants a choice of three race distances. The course features a scenic 5-mile loop through single track and rolling hills, designed to challenge runners while promoting a landfill-free environmen..

The Great Western Half-Marathon & 10K, organized by the Fox River Trail Runners, is a well-established running event held on the scenic Great Western Trail. Celebrating over 25 years, this competitive race features a flat, out-and-back course, making it accessible for runners of all levels. Schedule..

The Galena Sky Trail Races, taking place at Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena, IL, features an 8-hour and a 4-hour timed loop course, offering runners a chance to enjoy scenic views of the Mississippi River while tackling challenging trails. Participants can run as many loops as possible within the..

The Sunderbruch B&B Trail Races, taking place in Davenport, Iowa, features 5K and 10K trail running events on scenic single-track trails. Organized by the Quad Cities Trail & Ultra Runners and Sun Trail Running, the event emphasizes fun and community, offering a post-race potluck with bacon and craf..

The Sugar Badger 50/50 and Half is a scenic running event taking place in Belleville, Wisconsin, featuring a 50-mile, 50K, and half marathon distance. The race is set on the flat and soft rail trails of the Badger State Trail and the Sugar River State Trail, offering participants beautiful views, tr..

The Yellowbrick Backyard Ultra is a unique running event taking place in Peoria, Illinois, at Kinsey Park, featuring a whimsical Wizard of Oz theme. This "last runner standing" race consists of 4.16-mile loops starting every hour until only one runner remains. Participants must return to the start l..

The Schuetzen NEIN! Hour Endurance Run is a unique running event taking place in Davenport, IA, where participants challenge themselves to cover as many miles as possible within a 9-hour time limit. Runners can choose to compete solo or as part of a relay team, navigating a scenic 0.85-mile trail lo..

The Pinetum Mind Games Endurance Event is an exciting running challenge held at Lowell Park in Dixon, IL. Participants can choose to compete in 6, 12, or 24-hour formats, either solo or as part of a relay team. The course consists of a .411-mile loop designed to test mental and physical endurance, e..

The Chupacabra Trail Races, taking place in Dixon, IL, offers participants a unique night running experience on August 9, 2025. Runners can choose from three distances: 5 miles, 10 miles, or 15 miles, with a loop course that combines grass, gravel, and dirt trails. The event features a single aid st..

The Mines of Spain Trail Races, set in Dubuque, IA, offers a thrilling experience for runners of all levels with distances of 4 miles, 7 miles, and a half marathon. Participants will navigate through the scenic and challenging trails of the Mines of Spain, featuring diverse terrain that includes dir..

The ScoCo50, presented by Sun Trail Running, is a trail running event taking place at Scott County Park in Long Grove, IA. Participants can choose between a 50K and a 10-mile race, designed to be beginner-friendly while still appealing to experienced runners. The course features a mix of dirt and gr..

The Gristmill Grind 10K is an annual trail race held at Franklin Creek State Parks Natural Area, known for its challenging terrain and scenic views. Scheduled for August 30, 2025, this event features a 10K race with significant elevation changes and creek crossings, as well as a 1-mile walk. Partici..

The Last Dot Standing event, hosted by Ten Junk Miles, takes place from September 19 to 22, 2025, in Belleville, WI. This unique running challenge requires participants to alternate between running 4.2 miles to Dot's Tavern and back, with a one-hour time limit for each leg. The event continues until..