Trail Running calendar near Topeka 2026-2027

Five Thursday nights in July at Maxwell Park in Normal, IL featuring 800 meter, 2 mile and 3 mile cross country races. Weekly entry is $5 or $20 for all five nights; awards night with age-group prizes is on 7/30.

A July 4 road run in Springfield that starts and finishes at Home Plate Bar & Grill, offering in-person 5K, 10K and mile events plus a virtual 5K and volunteer opportunities. Packet pickup is available the day before and on race day.

Experience flowing singletrack and deep ravines at Black Partridge Park in Metamora. This five mile trail race features creek crossings and steep climbs through mature Illinois forests.

Test your endurance on the technical river bluff trails of Illinois with distances ranging from a half marathon to 100 miles. Experience rolling hills and steep climbs within the beautiful wooded canopy of Camp Wokanda.

A 5K trail race on July 18, 2026 that opens private trails on Elkhart Hill near Elkhart, Illinois, featuring old-growth timber, historic sites, and panoramic overlooks. Registration runs June 18 to July 18 and the fee is $30.

An evening cross-country meet at Detweiller Park on July 24, 2026, with races for kids, middle school, high school, and open competitors plus a kids' fun run; registration closes July 23 and parking is $10 cash per vehicle.

Experience the final race of the summer at Farmdale Reservoir in Washington Illinois. This five mile trail run features a mix of prairie woods and singletrack paths through a diverse landscape.

A youth and family 2K obstacle course at Maxwell Park with about 15 obstacles. Waves serve ages 5 and up; participants get a shirt, medal and a timed result, with trophies for top three in each competitive age group.

Hill of a Race 2026 in Bloomington, IL combines a lap based Endurance Challenge with multiple 3 mile obstacle course waves, including competitive men, women, masters and several recreational waves.

A day of looped trail events at Comlara near Hudson, IL, with timed options from one hour to twelve hours, a relay race, and an open course option. Runners complete roughly four mile loops and must return each hour to continue.

Experience an all terrain trail race through the scenic Big Horse Vineyards featuring natural obstacles and mud. Choose between a competitive 5K or a social beer mile followed by wine tasting in Central Illinois.

Test your limits at Decker Farm with a grueling combination of military boot camp and farm chores. Choose between 4, 12, or 36 hour endurance challenges featuring heavy carries and undisclosed physical tasks.

A 5K trail loop at Rolling Meadows Farm on September 5, 2026, running along the Sangamon River and near the historic Sangamo Town site. Registration runs from June 9 to August 23, with a $35 fee.

Experience fast rolling terrain at the Sand Creek Trail Run in Decatur. Choose between 4.4 and 7.6 mile distances to support the Special Operations Warrior Foundation through the scenic Macon County Conservation District.

Operation Obstacle is a timed 2 mile obstacle course on September 19, 2026 at Richland Community College that raises awareness and funds to address veteran suicide.

Run The Woods is a trail event at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center in Hudson, IL featuring 5K and 8K races with youth divisions and a one mile untimed trail walk. Proceeds benefit Easterseals Central Illinois and Timber Pointe Outdoor Center.

A multi-distance trail event at Farmdale Reservoir near East Peoria offering 100, 50 and 30 mile ultras plus shorter races across single-track, service road and prairie with aid stations, camping and specified cutoffs.

A chip timed 5K and an untimed 1 mile fun walk at GE Park in Bloomington on October 18, 2026, raising funds for BN Sunrise Rotary Youth Services and the CCHS Rotaract Club. Awards include ceramic steins for top 5K age group finishers.

Originally listed as a 5K at Washington Park in Springfield with registration closed and a $30 fee; a notice states the event has been renamed and moved to September 5th.

A fall event at Allerton Park featuring a 5.7 mile trail run, a 2 mile nature walk, and a virtual 5.7 mile option. The riverside course has roots, ruts, and sharp turns, with awards, costume prizes, and park donations.