Trail Running Calendar Illinois 2026-2027

A community cross country event in Mount Prospect offering 1, 2 and 3 mile races. Entry is $25 and proceeds benefit the Little Giraffe Foundation.

A Scottish Highlander themed obstacle race in Pingree Grove Illinois offering open and competitive 5k and 15k heats plus a family 3k. Night and haunted 5k variants are offered and finishers receive a medal and t shirt.

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.

Loop based endurance event at Busse Woods on August 15, 2026 offering repeated 3.1 mile laps over smooth crushed limestone and packed gravel. Distances range from 5K to 50K with a central aid station and open loop format.

Continuous 3.1 mile loop at Busse Woods near Elk Grove, IL offering 40 and 50 mile options with a fully stocked aid station every lap and a 12 hour cutoff. Runs alongside The Next Loop series but is scored separately.

A free alumni 2 Mile cross country meet on 08/15/2026 in Chicago Heights that uses chip timing and decade-based teams and head-start groups, with team scoring based on finishing place.

Trail races at Camp Ondessonk in the Shawnee National Forest offering 100 mile, 100K, 50K, night 50K and a half marathon over rugged, scenic single track with multiple waterfalls and staffed aid stations.

Run the Rails in Elburn, Illinois features 1 mile, 4 mile and 7 mile races starting and finishing at Prairie Park, with courses that cross the Union Pacific West rail line and chip timing for all distances.

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.

Trail running at Paul Douglas Forest Preserve with approximate 4, 9.5 and 13 mile courses on single-track trails. Part of the Dick Pond Athletics Darn Tough Trail Race Series and benefiting the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers.

Tough Mudder Chicago on August 29, 2026 at Richardson Adventure Farm offers 5K and 15K obstacle courses, an 8 hour Infinity option, and Mudder Village with food, music and finisher items.

A continuous loop trail race at Half Day Forest Preserve near Vernon Hills, Illinois. Runners complete repeated 3.1 mile loops toward a 40 or 50 mile total with a 12 hour cutoff and a fully stocked aid station each lap.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.