Trail Running Calendar Illinois 2026-2027

Event Overview The Howl at the Moon Ultra is a timed endurance event held at Kennekuk Road Runners in Danville, Illinois. The event features separate eight-hour and four-hour divisions for runners and walkers. Course Details Participants co..

Evening timed runs at Watershed Nature Center on a 1.01 mile mixed-surface loop. Choose a 6 hour or 3 hour event and see how many miles can be completed within the time limit.

A night trail event in Dixon, IL with looped courses of about 5 miles per lap, options for single runners or three‑person relays, on mixed grass, gravel, and dirt trails.

A multi-event day in Coal Valley with a 5K Mud Adventure Run, a Ninja Kids Run, and a Cross Country Trail Run. Main obstacles include a Tire Wall, Ninja Scaling Wall and Weight Lift; spectator entry is $7.

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.

A community cross country race in Mount Prospect on August 9, 2026 offering 1, 2 and 3 mile distances to raise funds for the Little Giraffe Foundation and research into premature babies.

Experience a Scottish themed obstacle course race in Pingree Grove featuring 15k, 5k, and family 3k distances. Challenges include classic rigs and unique tasks like archery and caber carries in a Highland setting.

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.

Shawnee Hills Trail Races runs August 22 and 23, 2026 at Camp Ondessonk in Ozark, Illinois. Multiple distances including 100 mile, 100k, 50k and a half marathon traverse sandstone canyons and waterfalls with on-site tree house lodging.

Run the Rails in Elburn, Illinois on August 22, 2026 features a 1-mile fun run plus 4- and 7-mile courses that start and finish at Prairie Park. The routes cross the Union Pacific West rail line and benefit the Elburn Parks Commission.

Test your endurance at Comlara Park with a unique hourly trail challenge ranging from one to twelve hours. Run a scenic loop every hour to stay in the game or enjoy a relaxed pace in the open format events.

The Summer Trail Classic offers three distances on the single-track trails of Paul Douglas Forest Preserve. It's the third race in a yearly trail series, with proceeds supporting local trail maintenance. Participants receive a running vest..

Tough Mudder Chicago at Richardson Adventure Farm on August 29, 2026 combines mud and named obstacles with 5K, 15K, and Infinity lap options plus a Mudder Village festival and finisher rewards.

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 multi distance trail ultra at Sand Ridge State Forest on Labor Day weekend 2026 offering 200K, 50K and a 10K. Camping is included and finishers receive coins or buckles according to distance.

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

A USATF-certified half marathon and 10K through Danada Forest Preserve on crushed limestone trails, finishing near the horse track. Both distances award finisher medals, with chip timing, pacers, shuttle parking, and on-course water station..

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 timed running event on an about 1 mile paved loop in a 58 acre Chicago park, offering 3 hour, 6 hour, and 12 hour formats plus relay options and hourly on course challenges.