Race date- October 9, 2027
Des Plaines River Trail Races
Half Marathon | Marathon | 50K | 50 Mile
Established in 2010
Welcome to the Des Plaines River Trail Races! Experience the beauty of fall in Lake County, Illinois, as you run along the scenic Des Plaines River Trail, starting and finishing at Half Day Forest Preserve.
The DPR Trail comes alive with spectacular fall colors, winding through lush forests, open wetlands, and beautiful natural landscapes. The wide, flat, crushed-gravel trail is free of rocks and roots, making it an ideal course for runners of all experience levels.
With bridges and underpasses at most major road crossings, runners can enjoy long, uninterrupted stretches of trail.
Looking for a personal best or a Boston Qualifier? You've come to the right place! With typically cool fall temperatures, flat terrain, and a fast running surface, the DPR Trail is an excellent place to chase your goals. Our Marathon is a Boston Qualifier!
Because Mother Nature occasionally has other plans, we also have an alternate course ready if trail conditions require a change. Both our original and alternate Marathon courses are Boston Qualifiers! You can find maps and details for both routes on our Course Description page.
Whether you're tackling your first Half Marathon, chasing a marathon PR, or taking on an ultramarathon, we can't wait to welcome you to the trail.
Four distances. Beautiful fall scenery. One unforgettable race day.
START TIME:
50 MILE RUNNERS: 7:00 AM
50k RUNNERS: 7:05 AM
50k runners go a different direction than 50 milers.
MARATHON: 8:00 AM (Wave)
HALF MARATHON: 9:00 AM (Wave)
Always the 2nd weekend of October
Registration will open on January 1st- 10 am Central time. (this gives you time to run or sleep first ;-)
Rollover credits are attached to the email address you registered with. They will show up at checkout. Please reach out to RD if you have any questions. Happy training!
Race photos provided By Jenny Thorsen
I am honored to be Race Director of the Des Plaines River trail races. Thank you to Ed Kelly for your work in designing & building this beautiful race. Ed & Brian have done a great job together over the last 4 years working together on the race.
I have been involved in the race as a volunteer and race finisher. It is a yearly tradition for our running community that I look forward to carrying on for many years!
~Michele Hartwig, Current Race Director
COURSE
This race is 100% trail with the exception of a few road crossings.
Race logistics
Preparing for race day. Everything from aid station locations, to drop bags.
