Pony Express Trail Run
Oct 16West of Faust, UT100 mi, 50 mi
Also 50 miles, similar trail technicality to Des Plaines River Trail Races, registration open
50 mi50KMarathonHalf MarathonClosed
Des Plaines River Trail Races
Lake County, Illinois
- Entry from
- $170
- Aid stations
- 6
- Days to go
- 4
At a glance
- Date
- Oct 10, 2026
- Location
- Lake County, Illinois
- Distances
- 50 mi, 50K, Marathon, Half Marathon
- Aid stations
- 6, 3 with crew access
- Registration
- Registration closed Oct 5, 2026, via ultrasignup.com
- Official site
- desplainesrivertrailraces.com
- Listed from
- UltraSignup
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026
Plan this race for free
6 aid stations are already loaded. Add cutoffs, pacing and the timeline your crew follows. Crew invites and race-day updates come with a Race Pass.
Build my planAbout this race
A flat, fast endurance trail race along the Des Plaines River Trail in Lake County, Illinois, starting and finishing at Half Day Forest Preserve on a wide, crushed gravel trail through forests and wetlands. Offers Half Marathon, Marathon (Boston Qualifier), 50K, and 50 Mile distances.
Key dates
Registration opens
Jan 1, 2026
- Early Bird ends
Jan 30, 2026
- Mid ends
May 30, 2026
Registration closes
Oct 5, 2026
Race day
Oct 10, 2026
Pricing
50 Mile
- Late
$220
50K
- Late
$190
Marathon
- Late
$190
Half Marathon
- Late
$170
Email me updates about Des Plaines River Trail Races
Registration openings and major changes, like a new date or a cancellation.
Aid stations
6| Station | Distance | Crew | Drop bags | Cutoff | Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Route 60 Canoe Launch Half marathon turnaround. Limited parking, no crew access. Located at Route 60 Canoe Launch between Milwaukee and St. Mary's Road on Townline Rd. | -- | 5:30 PM | waterGnarlybananassoda+6 | ||
Old School Forest Preserve Crew access allowed. Plenty of parking. Porta-potties available. Refried bean wraps served here. | -- | 5:00 PM | waterGnarlyrefried bean wrapsbananas+7 | ||
Adler Park School Marathon turnaround and bag drop. Crew access allowed. No bathroom at station; bathroom is a bit down the trail. Grilled cheese served here. Drop bags available for 50 Mile and 50K runners. | -- | 4:00 PM | waterGnarlygrilled cheesebananas+7 | ||
Gowe Park 50K turnaround. Crew access allowed. Plenty of parking. Porta-potties available. Turkey wraps served here. | -- | 2:00 PM | waterGnarlyturkey wrapsbananas+7 | ||
Wadsworth Canoe Launch 50 Mile turnaround and bag drop. Very limited parking, crew access not advised. Drop bags available for 50 Mile runners only. | -- | 1:00 PM | waterGnarlybananassoda+6 | ||
Yellow Trail (Dick Ponds Athletic) Road crossing — be careful crossing the road. No port-a-potty available. | -- | 6:00 PM | waterGnarlybananassoda+6 |
Entry transfers
Can't race, or need an entry? Post it here so nobody has to ask if it's still available.
Similar races
Black River Trail Classic
Oct 17Millston, WI85K, 50K +2
Also 50 miles, similar trail technicality to Des Plaines River Trail Races, registration open
Childish Nonsense
Apr 24, 2027Palatine, IL50 mi, 50K +2
Also 50 miles, 8 mi from Des Plaines River Trail Races
Sugar Badger 50/50 and Half
May 29, 2027Belleville, WI50 mi, 50K +1
Also 50 miles, 93 mi from Des Plaines River Trail Races
Straight-line distance
More 50 Mile Races in Illinois
All 50 Mile Races in IllinoisFarmdale Trail Run
Oct 10East Peoria, IL100 mi, 50 mi +3
McNotagain Fall Trail Runs
Nov 14Pekin, IL50 mi, 30 mi +2
Tunnel Hill 100
Nov 14Vienna, IL100 mi, 100K +2
Loud Thunder 50
Apr 17, 2027Illinois City, IL50 mi, 50K +1
Childish Nonsense
Apr 24, 2027Palatine, IL50 mi, 50K +2
CMAR Trail Races: Cry Me A River
Jul 9, 2027Chillicothe, IL100 mi, 50 mi +3
Races Near Chicago
All races near ChicagoFeral Nonsense
Nov 14Morton Grove, IL9 mi, 6 mi +1
Earth Day 50k/15 Mile/5 Mile
Apr 17, 2027Crystal Lake, IL50K, 15 mi +1
Frozen Gnome
Jan 9, 2027Crystal Lake, IL50K, 10K
Soul Crusher
Oct 17Crystal Lake, IL10 mi, 5 mi
Haunted Highlander Assault Trail Run
Oct 23Pingree Grove, IL5K
Fancy Nonsense 25k/50k
Oct 24Willow Springs, IL50K, 25K +1
Abominable Trail Race
Nov 14Lake Geneva, WI30K, 15K +2
The Forge Trail Run Festival
Nov 14Lemont, IL60K, 30K +2
HELIOS 6/12/20 HOUR ULTRA
Oct 10Eagle, WI20 hr, 12 hr +1
Echo 136
Sep 24, 2027Whitewater, WI136 mi
Warrior 5K & 8K...Through The Park
Nov 7West Allis, WI8K, 5K +1
October Races Nearby
All October racesIndiana Trail 100
Oct 9Albion, IN150 mi, 100 mi +1
3rd Annual Shauna Smith Heroes 5K Trail Run /Walk or 2K Trail Walk
Oct 10Holland, MI5K
Broken Rock Trail Runs
Oct 10Dodgeville, WI50K, 20 mi +1
Sandhill Crane All Trail Half Marathon/10K/5K
Oct 10Vandalia, MIHalf Marathon, 10K +1
The Ultra Bird 12hr and 6hr Trail Races
Oct 10West Olive, MI12 hr, 6 hr +3
Race For Open Space
Oct 11West Bend, WI10K, 5K +2
Race planning
Plan Des Plaines River Trail Races with Crewable
Build your aid station plan, organize your crew, and dial in your nutrition strategy. Everything you need to finish strong.
Build my planAre you the race director for Des Plaines River Trail Races?
Claim this race to manage registration, volunteers, and race day.