Trail Races & Routes in Illinois
Explore 55 trail running and hiking routes across Illinois. 1 organized races and 54 training routes covering distances from 4.2 mi to 428.8 mi. Elevation gains range from 56 ft to 15,110 ft. Preview every trail in 3D flyover with segment breakdowns.
Key Takeaways
Total Routes
55
Races / Routes
1 / 54
Distance Range
4.2 mi - 428.8 mi
Elevation Range
56 ft - 15,110 ft
Most Popular Distance
Other (30)
Surface Type
81% Trail
| Route Name | Location | Distance | Elevation Gain | Type | Race Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of America Chicago Marathon | Chicago, Illinois | 26.8 mi | 128 ft | race | Oct 11, 2026 |
| Robinson Park North | Peoria, Illinois | 4.2 mi | 567 ft | route | — |
| Mississippi Palisades State Park Trails north | Carroll County, Illinois | 4.8 mi | 496 ft | route | — |
| Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve | Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, Illinois | 5.1 mi | 291 ft | route | — |
| Kickapoo Creek Rec Area | Peoria County, Illinois | 5.6 mi | 238 ft | route | — |
| 5-mile Trail | Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Illinois | 6.0 mi | 213 ft | route | — |
| Marsh Trails | Winthrop Harbor, Illinois | 7.5 mi | 175 ft | route | — |
| Sauganash / Valley Line Trail / Skokie Valley Trail (IL) | Cook County, Illinois | 8.3 mi | 56 ft | route | — |
| Constitution Trail Interurban Branch | Bloomington, Illinois | 9.2 mi | 115 ft | route | — |
| River Ridge Back Pack Trail | Forest Glen County Preserve, Illinois | 9.3 mi | 1,165 ft | route | — |
| Herrick Lake Regional Trail | Danada Forest Preserve, Illinois | 10.2 mi | 334 ft | route | — |
| Constitution Trail Collegiate Branch | Normal, Illinois | 10.3 mi | 228 ft | route | — |
| Lake Carroll Loop (IL) | Carroll County, Illinois | 10.3 mi | 1,000 ft | route | — |
| OBT-1 | Chicago, Illinois | 10.5 mi | 251 ft | route | — |
| OBT-9 | Chicago, Illinois | 13.0 mi | 174 ft | route | — |
| Constitution Trail Bloomer Line Branch | Bloomington, Illinois | 13.5 mi | 173 ft | route | — |
| OBT-6 | La Grange, Illinois | 14.7 mi | 729 ft | route | — |
| River to River Segment 6 - Giant City to Alto Pass | Shawnee National Forest, Illinois | 16.0 mi | 1,603 ft | route | — |
| Constitution Trail Illinois Central Branch | Normal, Illinois | 18.3 mi | 300 ft | route | — |
| Green Bay Trail (IL) | Cook County, Illinois | 18.3 mi | 102 ft | route | — |
| River to River Segment 4 - U.S. 45 to Ferne Clyffe | Johnson County, Illinois | 18.6 mi | 1,681 ft | route | — |
| North Central DuPage Regional Trail (IL) | DuPage County, Illinois | 19.3 mi | 378 ft | route | — |
| River to River Segment 1 - E'Town to Garden of the Gods | Hardin County, Illinois | 19.3 mi | 2,558 ft | route | — |
| River to River Segment 7 - Alto Pass to Devil's Backbone | Shawnee National Forest, Illinois | 20.0 mi | 1,106 ft | route | — |
| Pedway | Chicago, Illinois | 20.0 mi | 2,793 ft | route | — |
| Stone Bridge & Long Prairie Trails (IL) | Boone County, Illinois | 20.2 mi | 438 ft | route | — |
| North Branch Trail (IL) | Cook County, Illinois | 20.6 mi | 148 ft | route | — |
| River to River Segment 5 - Ferne Clyffe to Giant City | Shawnee National Forest, Illinois | 20.8 mi | 2,034 ft | route | — |
| River to River Segment A - Battery Rock Alternate | Hardin County, Illinois | 21.4 mi | 2,487 ft | route | — |
| Chief Illini Trail (IL) | Shelby County, Illinois | 21.7 mi | 1,916 ft | route | — |
| River to River Segment 3 - Eddyville to U.S. 45 | Pope County, Illinois | 22.1 mi | 2,156 ft | route | — |
| Constitution Trail Southtown Branch | Bloomington, Illinois | 22.4 mi | 300 ft | route | — |
| Salt Creek Greenway Trail (IL) | DuPage County, Illinois | 23.9 mi | 194 ft | route | — |
| Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail (IL) | Coles County, Illinois | 24.3 mi | 177 ft | route | — |
| OBT-10 | Chicago, Illinois | 24.7 mi | 548 ft | route | — |
| Chicago Park Boulevard System Historic District (IL) | Cook County, Illinois | 26.7 mi | 74 ft | route | — |
| OBT-4 | Bloom Township, Illinois | 27.7 mi | 902 ft | route | — |
| Crab Orchard Lake Loop (IL) | Williamson County, Illinois | 28.3 mi | 795 ft | route | — |
| McHenry County Prairie Trail + Fox River Trail (IL) | McHenry County, Illinois | 31.7 mi | 657 ft | route | — |
| Dundee to Wisconsin via Prairie Trail | Dundee Township, Illinois | 31.7 mi | 657 ft | route | — |
| Great Western Trail, Western Segment (IL) | Kane County, Illinois | 34.0 mi | 315 ft | route | — |
| Jane Addams Trail (IL) | Stephenson County, Illinois | 34.7 mi | 198 ft | route | — |
| Chicago Lakefront Trail | Chicago, Illinois | 35.7 mi | 279 ft | route | — |
| Chicago Lakefront Trail (IL) | Cook County, Illinois | 35.7 mi | 279 ft | route | — |
| Fox River Trail (IL) | Kane County, Illinois | 37.9 mi | 515 ft | route | — |
| Great Western Trail, Entire Route & Road Connector (IL) | Kane County, Illinois | 38.2 mi | 1,230 ft | route | — |
| Rock Island Trail (IL) | Peoria County, Illinois | 46.8 mi | 2,920 ft | route | — |
| Palos Trail System (IL) | Cook County, Illinois | 50.6 mi | 2,692 ft | route | — |
| Chicago Times-Herald Auto Race Route (IL) | Cook County, Illinois | 54.6 mi | 148 ft | route | — |
| Illinois Prairie Path (IL) | DuPage County, Illinois | 57.4 mi | 797 ft | route | — |
| Chicago West Suburban 100k (IL) | DuPage County, Illinois | 62.0 mi | 750 ft | route | — |
| River to River Relay Course (IL) | Johnson County, Illinois | 81.1 mi | 5,082 ft | route | — |
| Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail (IL) | Grundy County, Illinois | 90.1 mi | 203 ft | route | — |
| River to River Trail (IL) | Johnson County, Illinois | 155.9 mi | 15,110 ft | route | — |
| Run Up Illinois | Sangamon County, Illinois | 428.8 mi | 10,455 ft | route | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trail races are in Illinois?
There are 1 organized races and 54 self-supported routes available in Illinois.
What is the average elevation gain in Illinois?
The average elevation gain is 1,297 feet, with routes ranging from 56 to 15,110 feet.
What distances are available in Illinois?
Available distances include: Marathon, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, 50K, 50 Mile, 100K, 100 Mile, Ultra.
Can these trail routes in Illinois be used for hiking?
Yes. 81% of these routes are on trail surfaces, making them suitable for both trail running and hiking. The terrain analysis and elevation profiles help hikers plan their adventures just as effectively as runners.
What's the best time of year to run trails in Illinois?
Trail running conditions in Illinois vary by season and elevation. Check the race date column for organized events, which are typically scheduled during optimal weather windows. For year-round training routes, elevation profiles help you plan for seasonal conditions.
More Races in Illinois
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