Frozen Gnome
Crystal Lake, United States • 10 Jan 2026
The Frozen Gnome is a challenging winter trail running event held in Crystal Lake, Illinois, at Veteran Acres park. Featuring a "Triple Black Diamond" rated course, the race offers a 50K ultra run, a 10K race, and relay options for teams of two or five. The course consists of a scenic 10K single-track loop through Veteran Acres and Sterne’s Woods, repeated five times for the 50K runners. Participants can enjoy unique features like a "butt slide hill," hot food, coffee, and a heated aid station. The event emphasizes camaraderie, tough terrain, and a festive winter atmosphere, making it a memorable race for trail runners. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.