Illinois · Race calendar

Running Races in Illinois

Every upcoming running race in Illinois, all 485 of them. 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and marathons with dates, pricing, finish-time stats from past results, and start-line maps.

485 upcoming races · 178 with finish-time stats

5K 37910K 87Half Marathon 63Marathon 7Ultra 1
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By the numbers

The Biggest and Longest-Running

The Illinois races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.

Largest field2,362 finishersPilgrim Pie Run for Rotaryin the 5KLongest-running48th year48th Annual Oglesby Turkey Trotannual tradition

Races by City in Illinois

Aurora 4Belleville 6Bloomington 5Chicago 66Collinsville 4Decatur 4Downers Grove 4Effingham 4Elgin 4Elk Grove Village 8Greater Chicago 5Herrin 4Lisle 5Marion 3Normal 5Palatine 4Rockford 5Schaumburg 4Shorewood 4Springfield 10Urbana 7Waukegan 3Wheaton 7Wheeling 4

Soonest Races in Illinois

485 total
Sat, Aug 29, 2026Solidarity Sidekick Down Route 66- Stop 1: Chicago 6.6K Chicago, IL6.6K0.25 MilesFrom $50Details Sun, Aug 30, 2026Solidarity Sidekick down Route 66 - Stop 2- McCook 6.6K Lyons, IL6.6KFrom $30Details Mon, Aug 31, 2026Solidarity Sidekick down Route 66 - Stop 3- Joliet 6.6K Joliet, IL6.6KFrom $30Details Tue, Sep 1, 2026Solidarity Sidekick down Route 66 6.6K Wilmington, IL6.6KFrom $30Details Wed, Sep 2, 2026Solidarity Sidekick down Route 66 - Stop 5- Gardner 6.6K Gardner, IL6.6KFrom $30Details Thu, Sep 3, 2026Solidarity Sidekick down Route 66 - Stop 6- Dwight 6.6K Dwight, IL6.6KFrom $30Details Fri, Sep 4, 2026Solidarity Sidekick down Route 66 - Stop 7- Pontiac 6.6K Pontiac, IL6.6KFrom $30Details Thu, Sep 10, 2026Rock Springs Demo Run/Walk Decatur, IL3 MilesFreeRegister Fri, Sep 11, 2026Woodland ROAR Run Gurnee, IL5K1 MileFrom $25Details Fri, Sep 11, 2026In Memory Of Our Fallen Heroes, Elwood Community Days 5K Run & Walk Elwood, IL5KFrom $35Details Fri, Sep 11, 2026Popcorn Day 5k Run, Walk, and Kids Fun Run Ridgway, IL5KFrom $25Details Fri, Sep 11, 2026Solidarity Sidekick Down Route 66 - Stop 13 - Springfield 6.6K Springfield, IL6.6KFrom $40Details

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Sep 10, 2026.

Common Questions About Racing in Illinois

Which Illinois cities have the most races?

Chicago (66), Springfield (10), Elk Grove Village (8), Wheaton (7) have the most upcoming races in Illinois. If you are willing to travel an hour or two, those give you the widest choice of dates and distances.

What race distances can I run in Illinois?

Illinois has 5K (379), 10K (87), Half Marathon (63), Marathon (7), Ultra (1). Pick a distance to narrow the list to races you would actually enter.

When is race season in Illinois?

September is the busiest month for races in Illinois, with 148 of the 485, followed by October with 129. If you are flexible on the date, that is the quickest way to narrow things down.

Are Illinois races beginner-friendly?

Yes, for the most part. Across the 178 races in Illinois with published results, the typical median finish is around 35:06, which means half of every one of those fields came in slower than that. Recreational runners and walk-runners are the bulk of these fields, not the exception.

Are there trail races in Illinois?

Yes, 19 races around Illinois get you off the pavement: 12 are trail races, and 7 mix road and trail. Surfaces are not always published, so it is worth checking a specific race before you register.