Chicago Trail Running Festival
Beecher, United States • 12 Sep 2026
CHICAGO TRAIL RUNNING FESTIVAL
The Chicago Trail Running Festival is a one-day trail event held in Beecher, Illinois at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve (27064 Dutton Rd). The event offers several distance options on trail-built courses that use natural terrain with occasional gravel or pavement.
Courses run on a looped network that includes Scout, Oak Ridge, Plum Creek and Snapper Pond. The surface is a mix of grass, dirt, crushed gravel, and some pavement. The course is slightly hilly, showing about 170 feet of elevation gain per six mile loop. The 10K distances use loop segments; the 5K follows a unique loop.
Distances
- 5K
- 10K
- 10K RUCK
- 20K
- 30K
- 50K
Aid stations are placed at key points. There is a main aid station with hydration and food and a water only station on the course. This is a cupless event so participants must bring a water carrying system. Ruck entrants must meet weight requirements: participants over 150 lb must carry 30 lb, participants under 150 lb must carry 20 lb. Ruck sacks or vests are allowed.
All participants receive a soft event T-shirt and a finisher medal. Ruck finishers receive a ruck patch. Top male and female finishers per distance earn first place awards, and the last place finisher in the 50K receives a DFL award. Parking does not require a day pass and camping information is available at the nature preserve. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.