Running Races in Illinois
Illinois has 507 upcoming running races scheduled for 2026. The calendar runs year-round — busiest in August through October, quietest in February, April, and July. No single city dominates the calendar. Chicago leads with 66 races, followed by Elk Grove Village (11), Palatine (9), and Wheaton (8). The remaining 81% of the calendar is spread across smaller cities.
Running races by month in Illinois
Sep (153) · Aug (110) · Oct (91) · Nov (60) · Dec (24) · Jun (17) · Jan (11) · Mar (11) · May (11) · Apr (7) · Jul (7) · Feb (5)
Notable Illinois events
- Bank of America Chicago Marathon — Chicago, October 11 — full marathon (World Marathon Major)
Showing 24 of 507
Running
Tunnel to Towers National Golf Series Golf of America Freedom Golf Classic
July 30, 2026
Waterloo, IL
Running
College of DuPage 5k & Track Fest
Glen Ellyn, IL
Running
College of DuPage 5k & Track Fest
August 1, 2026
Glen Ellyn, IL
Running
College of DuPage Alumni 5k
Glen Ellyn, IL
Running
College of DuPage Alumni 5k
August 1, 2026
Glen Ellyn, IL
Top Cities for Running Races in Illinois
Frequently asked questions
How do I find running races near me?▾
Enter your zip code on RACE or use the location-based pages at /marathons-near-me, /half-marathons-near-me, /10k-near-me, or /5k-near-me. We show every upcoming running event within your selected radius, sorted by distance from you.
What's the most popular running distance in the US?▾
By a wide margin, the 5K. The half marathon is the most popular distance over 10 miles. Each distance has its own hub on RACE — /5k-races, /10k-races, /half-marathons, /marathons — with live event counts and state-by-state breakdowns.
When is running race season in the US?▾
June is the single busiest month for running events. The June–October stretch carries roughly 70% of the year’s running calendar. December through March is the quietest period — most regions don’t publish next year’s spring races until late winter, so the calendar grows back as race directors finalize dates.
Which states have the most running races?▾
Ohio, Florida, Texas, Michigan, and California lead the country in upcoming running event volume. Every state hosts dozens of upcoming races — including smaller states like Wyoming, Vermont, and North Dakota. The "Browse by state" grid on this page links to a dedicated running hub for every state.
How do I register for a running race?▾
For RACE-native events, you can register and pay on this site. For events hosted on external platforms (RunSignUp, RaceRoster, and similar), we link you directly to the official registration page. Either way, you find the race here.