174 of the Best Races to Try in 2018

2018 Chicago 10K Registration Now Open — Register Today

Registration for the 2018 Chicago 10K is now open. After selling out in 2016 and 2017, the race is expected to sell out in record time. Entry will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Race Date: Sunday, June 24

Location: Grant Park, Chicago

Distance: 10K (6.2 miles)

Secure your spot at www.chicago10k.run

*Sponsored listing

Race Website

Current Issue

March/April 2018

Kick off Spring, Clif Bar Athletes of the Year, Top 100 Illinois Events

Free Event Photos

Chicago Athlete is the first place to look for photos from all the big races in Chicagoland. Go to our Facebook Page

for photos updated hours after races end.

Calendar of Events

Looking for upcoming endurance events in Chicago? Check out Chicago Athlete's event calendar for the largest event guide in the Midwest.

Find Chicago Athlete on Social Media

Top 100 Illinois Running Events

As you begin to prepare for a new season, the first step is making note of the races you want to compete in, and planning out a schedule. Many coaches advise athletes to select one or two “A” races, or target races, to put most of your focus on throughout the season. Once those are chosen, athletes should pick a handful of “B” races; “B” races should still be competitive and important to you, but might be shorter distances, less expensive, or simply a must-do each year. Finally, athletes can have several “C” races during the year, which can serve as a hard workout during training, but don’t require much emphasis.

Living near one of the biggest running cities in the country, it can be difficult to narrow down the few races you will choose to participate in this year. To help alleviate some of that overwhelming stress, we’ve compiled a list of 100 Illinois running events that have high ratings on several review websites.

Top 100 Events

Want to Leave Illinois? Here's the Top 74 Half and Full Marathons in the Midwest

From scenic small-town suburban races to larger lakefront runs, there are dozens of long-distance running events in the Midwest, many get lost in the mix.

We created an entire digital-issue to showcase the best half and full marathons in our region. From Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan, we dare you to try something outside of your borders and outside of your comfort zone in 2018.

View Issue

My ‘Epic’ Journey to the Bank of America

Shamrock Shuffle

I was lucky enough to train with Nike Chicago for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle as an opportunity to try out the new Nike Epic React Flynit shoes; the running shoes are made with the brand’s special React foam to give runners stability and responsiveness, while also being extremely lightweight, so I was eager to test them out in both training and racing.

My journey began about five weeks prior to the Shamrock Shuffle. Over the five week period, Coaches Emily and Dave developed a workout plan for our group which consisted of 12 people, forcing us to work together and push us to our limits to tackle the ultimate spring kick-off race.

How to Recover

No training plan is complete without a good recovery plan; triathletes need to plan their own recovery and start on a path to make the most of their training plan. Just as training plans can be personally engineered, recovery can be too.

Timing is crucial. Your body will not be ready to do another workout if it hasn’t recovered from the last one. In between hard workouts, athletes need to make sure their body is rested to handle the stress of the next one.

Recovery Techniques

Join Members of the Boston's QCC for 2 Boston Marathon Weekend Events

QCC Bus to Hopkinton

Ride to Hopkinton in comfort and style on a private motor coach with a restroom! Plus you can stay on the bus until you are ready to go to the starting line.

Details and sign up at: www.signmeup.com/125198

Registration Code: FRIENDS-BUS-2018

QCC Annual Pasta Dinner

A seven-course family-style dinner at one the best restaurants in Boston. You, your friends and family are invited.

When: Saturday, April 14 at 4 p.m.

Where: The North End.

Details and sign up at: www.signmeup.com/125171

Registration Code: QCC-PASTA-DINNER-2018

Email Coach Mark

Our Favorite Race Photos from March

Every March, the paths in Chicago and its suburbs slowly start getting more usage from local athletes, and races are more plentiful with each passing weekend. Chicago Athlete ambassadors and staff made a point to cover as many races as we could to kick off the 2018 racing season, and here are a few of our favorite pictures. Here’s to a great 2018!

View Photos

Race Results from March 29 to April 4

March 31

Universal Sole Spring Trail Challenge - Willow Springs, IL

No Foolin' 5k - Lockport, iL

View all Past Race Results

Calendar of Events from April 5 to April 11

April 7

Chi Town Half Marathon & 10K - Chicago, IL

April Fools 5k - Bloomingdale, IL

Beat the Eagle 5k - Lombard, IL

DINO Trail Run - Indianapolis, IN

Spring Stampede 5k - Benton Harbor, MI

South Shore Half Marathon - Milwaukee, WI

April 8

Good Life Race - Oak Park, IL

View Full Calendar

Local Discounts, Deals and Price Increase Alerts

Race Directors : Have a discount code or price increase for your upcoming event? We encourage you to submit them to editor@mychicagoathlete.com to provide to subscribers!

Lincoln-Way Foundation Half Marathon (Race Date: April 22)

Use code chicagoathlete for $5 off through 5/1

McHenry County Human Race (Race Date: April 22)

CARA members save 3% with code CARAMEMBER2018

Wisconsin Marathon (Race Date: May 5)

Use CAENEWS for 10 percent off

Run to Remember 5k (Race Date: May 5)

Save $5 with code CHIATHLETE

Groovin in the Grove 5k (Race Date: May 12)

Save $2 with code CAM18

Cooley Run 5k and Superhero Dash (Race Date: May 13)

Save $5 with code athlete18

Salute 5k/10k (Race Date: May 27)

Use CHI5 for $5 off

Burr Ridge Run in the Ridge 5k/1k (Race Date: June 2)

Price Increase for 5k and 1k on May 1

Run for the Roses 5k (Race Date: June 3)

Save $5 with code CA2018

Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay (Race Date: June 3)

Save $10 with code RUNDMTM18 until 5/23

Imerman Angels Brunch Run 5K (Race Date: June 9)

Use CHIATHLETE for $10 off

HFM Maritime Marathon (Race Date: June 10)

Save $10 with code CA2018

Bike MS (Race Date: June 23)

Use code TEAMUP for 15 percent off

25th Anniversary Kona Marathon Events (Race Date: June 24)

Use 25KMEGROUP for $10 off marathon or half; $5 off quarter marathon or 5K

Pleasant Prairie Triathlon (Race Date: June 24)

Save $10 with code SPRING18

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on 4th (Race Date: July 4)

Save $5 through 6/5 (no code required)

Gino's East 5K (Race Date: July 7)

Use CAPIZZA5 for $5 off

Waugoshance Trail Marathon (Race Date: July 7)

Save $10 on any distance with code WAUGO10

5K RUN! To End Homelessness (Race Date: July 14)

Save $5 with code RTEH18CA

Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon & 5k (Race Date: July 21 & 22)

Save $10 on the half marathon through 6/20 with code CHIATHLETE10

Wauconda Triathlon (Race Date: July 22)

Price increases for all events on 5/31 and 6/30

Iron Girl Pleasant Prairie Sprint Triathlon (Race Date: August 12)

Save $10 with code SPRING18

Fort2Base (Race Date: August 26)

Use code CHIATH18 for 10 percent off (not valid on military pricing)

Northwestern Medicine 5k Race to Impact (Race Date: Sept. 9)

Save 10 percent with code NM5k18

Holland Hospital Park2Park Half Marathon and 5K (Race Date: Sept. 22)

Use code MCAhalf18 for $8 off the half, and MCA5k18 for $5 off the 5k

Price increase on April 7, July 7 and September 7

Branson Missouri Mountain Man Off-Road Triathlon (Race Date: Sept. 22)

Save 10 percent with code chicagoathlete through 9/01

Arkansas Lake Norfork Triathlon (Race Date: Sep. 28)

Save 10 percent with code chicagoathlete through 9/01

Arkansas White River Marathon, Half Marathon & 5k For Kenya (Race Date: Nov. 17)

Save 10 percent with code chicagoathlete through 11/01

Red Beard’s Hilly Half in Arkansas (Race Date: Nov. 18)

Save 10 percent with code chicagoathlete through 11/01