Half Day at the Lake

Evanston, United States • 20 Sep 2025

Half Day at the Lake is a unique ultra-running event held in Evanston, Illinois, featuring 6- and 12-hour race options. The race takes place on a scenic 2-mile loop along Chicago’s north shore lakefront path, passing through Evanston’s lakefront and Northwestern University’s campus. The course is a mix of paved and crushed gravel paths, shared with walkers and bikers, and includes multiple aid stations with snacks, beverages, and hot soup. Finishers receive a custom handmade award and a refreshing non-alcoholic Hop Water from Sketchbook Brewery. The event welcomes runners of all levels, allows pacers, and emphasizes a friendly, inclusive atmosphere. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

Race information

12 km
12 Hour Race
6 km
6 Hour Race
Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
Trail runs nearby

Timely Nonsense is an urban ultramarathon held at a 58-acre park in Chicago, at the intersection of California and Montrose. The course features a 0.75-mile paved loop that runners complete for the 6-hour or 12-hour timed events. An aid station at the Start/Finish provides typical ultrarunning fare,..

Bloomingdale Trail 5K is an annual, family-friendly running event in Chicago, Illinois. The day features a timed 5K race along with ¼- and ½-mile dashes for young runners. The event location is 1834 N Lawndale Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, and the site describes a welcoming atmosphere for runners of all a..

The Des Plaines River Trail Races, held in Lake County, Illinois, offer a scenic and fast trail running experience with distances including a Half Marathon, Marathon (Boston Qualifier), 50K, and 50 Mile ultra. Starting and finishing at Half Day Forest Preserve, the course features a flat, wide, crus..

Palos Park Spooky Shuffle 2025 is a 5K and 10K trail run/walk held at Swallow Cliff South Forest Preserve in Palos Park, IL, organized by the Palos Park Department of Recreation & Parks in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Runners traverse the Sag Valley Trail System on wide, unp..

Fancy Nonsense 25k/50k is a whimsical ultramarathon organized by CUSS Running, held near Chicago at Red Gate Woods in the Palos Trail System (Willow Springs/Lemont, IL). The course is a 5.5-mile mostly runnable single-track loop, repeated to reach 25k or 50k. Expect a playful, mischievous atmosphere..

The Fast Track Cross Country Open is a 3.05-mile race held in Schaumburg, Illinois, on the MacNider cross country course near Hoover Elementary School. Scheduled for November 9, 2025, it features separate women's and men's races open to all ages and abilities. The course consists of a short start fo..