Chicago Race Calendar
This is the complete guide to chicago races 2026, covering everything from local 5K races in Chicago to major half marathons and the Chicago Marathon. If you're looking for Chicago running races, this is the full season laid out in one place.
The calendar includes Chicago 5Ks, 10K races, Chicago half marathons, and marathons across the city and surrounding suburbs, organized by month so you can quickly find what fits your schedule. Whether you're building toward a fall marathon or just looking for a good local race, this is the easiest way to see what's coming up.
Bank of America Distance Series
Run all three races and earn a unique series medal plus a guaranteed entry into the 2027 Chicago Marathon.
May
1 raceRun for the Zoo
Annual fundraiser for Lincoln Park Zoo. Family-friendly atmosphere through Lincoln Park.
Race InfoJune
4 racesBank of America Chicago 13.1
West Side parks course through Garfield, Douglass, and Humboldt Parks. General registration sold out — charity entries only. Second race of the Distance Series.
Race InfoUniversal Sole Summer Trail Challenge
Summer edition of the beloved USOLE trail series at Wolf Road Woods. 9am start, craft brews after. Choose 1, 2, or 3 loops of the classic 3-mile course through the Palos trail system.
Race InfoProud to Run
Annual Pride Run. One of the most celebratory races on the Chicago calendar.
Race InfoJuly
4 racesElmhurst 4 on the 4th
Classic Independence Day race in Elmhurst. One of the best 4th of July race traditions in the Chicago suburbs.
Race InfoChi-Town Miles
Competitive one-mile track event from CARA. Great speed test mid-training season. Unique format for the Chicago racing calendar.
Race InfoElk Grove Twilight Run
Evening race series. Good summer half marathon option with suburban flat course.
Race InfoAugust
2 racesSummer Lakefront Run
Lakefront course. Good long training run option in peak marathon prep season.
Race InfoAlpine Races 10 Mile
10-mile CARA Circuit race in Lake Zurich. Good long effort tune-up during peak training block before September tune-ups.
Race InfoSeptember
4 racesHidden Gem Half Marathon
Popular September tune-up race. Well-organized and a good fitness check 4 weeks out from the Chicago Marathon.
Race InfoCARA Ready to Run 20 Miler
The premier 20-miler tune-up for Chicago Marathon runners. Fully supported with aid stations and crowds. Included with CARA marathon training membership. Three weeks before race day.
Race InfoLife Time Chicago Half Marathon & 5K
29th annual. Exclusive Lake Shore Drive access, South Side neighborhoods, and unrivaled skyline views. Pairs with the Spring Half for a Half Series medal. Great two-week-out tune-up for the marathon.
Race InfoNaperville Trails Half Marathon & 10K
Crushed limestone trail course through Danada Forest Preserve, finishing around the horse track. Part of the Run Chicagoland Series. Date TBD for 2026.
Race InfoOctober
5 racesBank of America Chicago Marathon
The one. World Marathon Major. 40,000+ runners through 29 Chicago neighborhoods. Grant Park start and finish. Third and final race of the Bank of America Distance Series.
Race InfoChicago Fall Classic Half Marathon & 10K
Post-marathon season race. Caramel apples and hot apple cider at the finish. Part of the Run Chicagoland Fall Series.
Race InfoUniversal Sole October Trail Challenge
Fall foliage trail racing through Wolf Road Woods. Part of the Ryan & Katie Flynn Memorial Trail Challenge Series. Pick your distance, enjoy post-race brews in the autumn air.
Race InfoLake Bluff Pumpkin Chase 5K
Fall community 5K on the North Shore. CARA Circuit points race.
Prairie State Half Marathon & 10K
Downtown Long Grove course with Oktoberfest 5K at finish. Brats and post-race party. Part of the Run Chicagoland Fall Series. Date TBD for 2026.
Race InfoNovember
3 racesFast Track Cross Country Regionals
Cross-country format season finale for the CARA Racing Circuit. Competitive club racing through the fall season close.
Race InfoUniversal Sole November Trail Challenge
10am start with Will's Famous Chili and craft brews waiting at the finish. Choose 4 or 8 miles on the classic Wolf Road Woods loop. Part of the Ryan & Katie Flynn Memorial Trail Challenge Series.
Race InfoTurkey Trot Chicago
Thanksgiving morning tradition. Life Time-organized. One of the best ways to start Thanksgiving Day in Chicago.
Race InfoBest Chicago Races
Chicago Marathon
World Marathon Major. 29 neighborhoods. If you only run one marathon, this is the one. Lottery opens late fall for the following year. Training guide →
Shamrock Shuffle 8K
25,000 runners through the downtown canyons in March. It's not just a race, it's the city collectively deciding winter is over. First leg of the Distance Series. Shamrock Shuffle guide →
Chicago 13.1
West Side parks course that most Chicago runners never see outside this race. Sells out fast. Charity entries are the backup plan. Second leg of the Distance Series. Chicago 13.1 guide →
Life Time Chicago Half Marathon
The only race in Chicago with exclusive DuSable Lake Shore Drive access. Flat, fast, and a perfect two-week tune-up for the marathon. The medal is famously enormous. Life Time Half guide →
Hidden Gem Half Marathon
The tune-up half everyone targets four weeks out from Chicago. Well-organized, honest course. If you're behind on training, this race will tell you.
CARA Ready to Run 20 Miler
Point-to-point on the Lakefront Trail with full support and pace groups. Three weeks before the marathon. The closest thing to a dress rehearsal you'll get.
Chicago Race Calendar FAQs
When is race season in Chicago?
Road race season runs from mid-March through November, with the heaviest concentration from April through October. The Shamrock Shuffle in late March kicks things off, and Turkey Trots close it out. Winter racing exists but is limited to a handful of trail and indoor events.
What are the biggest races in Chicago?
The Chicago Marathon (October) is the headliner, a World Marathon Major with 40,000+ runners. The Shamrock Shuffle 8K (March) draws ~25,000 and is the city's unofficial start to the season. Chicago 13.1 (June) rounds out the Bank of America Distance Series. All three sell out.
What's the best half marathon in Chicago?
It depends on what you want. Chicago 13.1 in June runs through the West Side parks and is the most competitive. The Life Time Chicago Half Marathon in September is scenic with Lake Shore Drive access. The Chi Town Half in spring is a solid, no-frills option. Each one serves a different point in your training calendar.
Are there races year-round in Chicago?
Mostly March through November for road races. December through February is quiet on the road side, but trail races at Wolf Road Woods and a few indoor events fill the gap. If you're training through winter, CARA group runs and local run clubs keep things structured.
How do I choose a race?
Start with your goal race and work backward. If you're running the Chicago Marathon in October, the Hidden Gem Half in September and the Ready to Run 20 Miler are the go-to tune-ups. For casual runners, pick a distance you're comfortable with and filter by month above. chi.run Pick races on this calendar are well-organized and worth the entry fee.
Looking for structured training? Check out our marathon training guide or find a local run club to keep you accountable.