Break out your lucky race socks, lace up those running shoes and get your pasta dinners ready. St. Charles has several upcoming races! Register now to receive discounted early bird prices.
Hope Hustle 5k – April 24, 2022
Great Western Half Marathon & 10k – May 1, 2022
Photo Courtesy of Fox River Trail Runners
This will be the 25th annual Great Western Half Marathon and 10k! The race is hosted by the Fox River Trail Runners and will take place on May 1 at the Great Western Trail at the Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve. The Great Western half marathon and 10k is a great way to start training for some of the upcoming marathons.
Hickory Knolls Run & Relay – May 15, 2022
Take a trail run at Hickory Knolls Forest Preserve for a fun race and relay! Participate as an individual runner on the 5k or 10k distances or pair up for a two person relay where each person does two loops.
Help and Hope 5k – May 21, 2022
Come run to support Second Act/Scene 2, an organization that benefits the Tri-City community with high-quality, professional mental health counseling and social work services! The 5k race will take place at 8 a.m. at Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve, with early bird pricing running until March 31 so register quickly. It is a timed course and you can win some prizes or participate in the Race Day Raffle!
Great Western Freedom 4 Run/Walk – July 4, 2022
Celebrate the Fourth of July with a great run in the morning with the Great Western Freedom 4 Run/Walk. You can enjoy this four-mile course on the Great Western Trail, which has a lot of crushed limestone and pavement so you can run fast times. You can also walk a two mile route if you’d exercise that way or just support Lazarus House! For more information on the race, visit their website here.
Fox Valley Marathon – Sept. 18, 2022
Photo Courtesy of Fox Valley Marathon Races
The Fox Valley Marathon is the biggest of all running events in St. Charles, bringing tens of thousands of runners and spectators to the Fox Valley area to see this amazing race. The competition includes all talent levels from highly competitive to recreational running. And if you don’t want to do the full course, you can do the half-marathon as well! The race begins and ends in St. Charles so you can have a whole range of options to enjoy after the race.
Hops for Hope 5k* – Oct. 2, 2022
A great run for a great cause with beer stops included throughout the course? Sounds fun! The Hops for Hope 5k has been running for over three years now and has been a huge hit in St. Charles, bringing in great crowds and fun! The course begins at Mount St. Mary’s Park and it’s a great race to run if you are looking to run on a certified course or get out, exercise and enjoy craft brews for a good cause! All proceeds for the event go to Project Mobility.
*Pending City Approval
Preparing for the races
St. Charles has all you need to get you more than race ready; we have so much to get you race winning! To get the best pair of trainers, racing shoes, apparel, running accessories and more, stop in to Dick Pond Athletics for all you running needs!
If you’re looking for places to carbo load or get that nutritious meal that will help you feel ready, check out our Italian restaurants like Osteria Trulli, Nuova Italia, La Za Za Trattoria or Franscesca’s by the River for those savory pasta dishes. Or if you’re looking to treat yourself after a great race, visit our bars or breweries to celebrate!