Trail Running Calendar Illinois 2026-2027

A Backyard Ultra on the Rock River Parkway where runners repeat a GPS-verified 4.167-mile loop each hour until one remains. Entry is limited to 150 runners and includes an on-site aid station and crew zone.

A multi-distance obstacle course event on rugged terrain near Marseilles Illinois featuring 5K and 10K options, a kid's loop, ruck categories with recommended weights, and a multi-lap Bearded Challenge. Finisher shirt, medal, and action pho..

Experience ten miles of hills and winding trails through the Byron Forest Preserve and Nardi Equine Prairie. This cup free race features cash prizes and a post race celebration with pizza at Hairy Cow Brewing Company.

A loop-based running event at Limestone Park offering 8 hour and 4 hour races on a 1.65 mile course with mixed crushed limestone and asphalt terrain. Scoring is by completed loops and proceeds support local organizations.

A timed 2 mile obstacle course at Richland Community College raising funds and awareness for veteran suicide with about 20 to 25 obstacles and proceeds to the campus veterans' center.

A non-timed 2K and 5K trail run/walk at Case Creek Valley that welcomes leashed dogs and supports Rock Island County Animal Care & Control Shelter, with race bibs, optional T-shirts, finisher dog tags, and hydration stations.

A 5K trail run or walk at Patriot's Park in Greenville on 09/26/2026 focused on community support for children and families affected by childhood cancer, with registration open 03/02/2026 and a $35 fee.

A multi-loop trail event in Dixon IL using a roughly 7.85 mile loop with distances from 8 miles to 100 miles across singletrack, meadow, and gravel surfaces.

Trail races at Moraine Hills State Park with 5K, 10K and half marathon options, plus a virtual option from Sept 1 to Sept 27, 2026.

Experience the Bloomingdale Trail Run in Chicago featuring a timed 5K and short dashes for youth. This annual event offers a variety of distances on an urban trail for a family friendly day of running.

Timed 6 and 12 hour events on a 2 mile lakefront loop in Evanston with two aid stations, public water fountains, nearby parking, and a nonalcoholic finish beverage and finisher award.

A family-friendly color run in Freeburg, IL combining vibrant color stations with a wooded memorial route and a focus on preventing distracted driving.

A 30 minute run or walk up Mt. Hoy in Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville IL, with proceeds funding two years of housing through Bridge Communities.

A point-to-point, all-trail ultramarathon on the Hennepin Canal Trail near Sterling, IL, offering 100-, 50-mile and 50K options with aid stations, bus service, and finisher awards.

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.

Autumn Leaf Run is a 5K trail event at Oakdale Nature Preserve in Freeport on 10/03/2026. The looped course crosses prairies, creek and wooded trails and raises funds for park improvements through the Freeport Parks Foundation.

The Lockport Fire Foundation presents the second annual Fire Zone 5k, a community 5k run and walk on a marked loop of the Forest Preserve trail starting at Hassert Park. Registered participants present on race day receive a t shirt and fini..

A coffee themed community fun run at Case Creek Trails offering 2K and 5K routes with on course coffee stations and proceeds supporting local animal care.

Endurance races at Arrowhead Lake Campground near Johnston City IL on a certified 2.07 mile gravel loop, with events from 24 hour to 3 hour and on-course aid.

A community 5K in Flossmoor with a parallel virtual 5K that raises funds and collects goods to support local families experiencing hidden homelessness and provide school supplies for homeless children.