The Universal Sole Summer Trail Challenge
- Date Sat 27th June 2026
- Time 9:00AM CDT
- Location Willow Springs, Illinois
- Price $43.40
- Races 3 races
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Event summary
Get ready to lace up your running shoes for the Universal Sole Summer Trail Challenge on Saturday, June 27, 2026! Set in the scenic Willow Springs, Cook, this exciting event invites runners of all ages and skill levels to explore the beautiful trails of Wolf Road Woods within the Palos Trail System. With three distances to choose from—3 miles, 6 miles, and 9 miles—participants can select the loop that best suits their adventure spirit.
Starting at 9 AM, the race promises a fun, laid-back atmosphere perfect for families and friends to enjoy a day outdoors. As runners navigate the mix of double and single tracks with some gentle hills, they can relish the camaraderie of fellow trail enthusiasts. After conquering the course, everyone is invited to celebrate their achievements with refreshing craft brews and delicious snacks at the post-race party. Don’t forget to bring your old running shoes to recycle, supporting a great cause while you enjoy the thrill of trail running! Join in the excitement and make unforgettable memories at this wonderful summer event!
Starting at 9 AM, the race promises a fun, laid-back atmosphere perfect for families and friends to enjoy a day outdoors. As runners navigate the mix of double and single tracks with some gentle hills, they can relish the camaraderie of fellow trail enthusiasts. After conquering the course, everyone is invited to celebrate their achievements with refreshing craft brews and delicious snacks at the post-race party. Don’t forget to bring your old running shoes to recycle, supporting a great cause while you enjoy the thrill of trail running! Join in the excitement and make unforgettable memories at this wonderful summer event!
Organiser's Description
THE UNIVERSAL SOLE SUMMER TRAIL CHALLENGE
_THREE DISTANCES TO CHOOSE!_
_*3 MILES-> 6->MILES-> 9 MILES* _
JUNE 27, 2026 @ 9AM
Trail running has always been in our USOLE DNA! We were the first running store in Chicago to bring trail racing to the Chicago running community. These trail races are great courses for folks wanting to get off the roads and enjoy some of our beautiful trails, but not have to be an expert trail runner to get to the finish. Our trail races are very laid back and great fun for the entire family, making it fun & easy for all! The USOLE Trail Challenge is great for people of all ages and all abilities looking to change up the running routine and get off the roads!
TRAIL RACE LOCATION:
We will be headed to Wolf Road Woods, part of the Palos Trail System to tackle our classic USOLE 3 mile course! This course will have a great mix of double & single track along with undulating terrain in the beautiful Wolf Road Woods! It may have a small hill or two to climb as well, but fun will always be had! You have three options to choose...One loop, Two loops or Three loops! You choose your distance! USOLE Trail Challenge races are a great way to see the trails, get a trail run in and enjoy camaraderie with your trail running friends!
RACE DETAILS:USOLE SUMMER TRAIL CHALLENGE REGISTRATION PRICING:
Opening Price until February 28 - $40.00
March 1 - April 30 - $45.00
May 1 - May 31 - $50.00
June 1 - Race Day - $55.00
No exchanges or refunds
THE GOODS:
Everyone receives a USOLE Trail Challenge premium giveaway
Brews for all post race!
USOLE camaraderie and fun as always!
Courses will be trail & off road with crushed limestone, dirt, rocks, & roots...and maybe some mud. Fun is the name of the game!
Races will begin promptly @ 9:00am. Race day pickup & registration will begin @ 8:00am.
Weather Issues: In the case of inclement weather, the only time we will delay a race or consider any action is in the presence of lightening. All other weather (rain, snow, tons of snow, tons of rain, etc) we will run the race. After all, this is trail running and some inclement weather makes it that much more fun!
Water will be at the Start/finish line. Due to Cook County Forest Preserve regulations, we are not allowed to have any aid station in the trails. Runners running the 6 or 9 mile will have access to water before heading out back out on the second & third three mile loops. It is recommended to carry a hand held bottle or a hydration belt if you need on-course hydration. Bottles can be filled at start/finish line as well as at the split aid station.
-Granola Bars & bananas will be at the finish.
-Race day gear check will be at the Universal Sole Tents
-Parking Info: Plenty of parking in the forest preserve parking lots!
DIRECTIONS TO RACE SITES (SEE MAP AND ADDRESS BELOW):
(Wolf Road Woods) - Coming from the north, take I-55 to Exit 279A, southbound La Grange Road. Drive south for roughly 2 miles and exit south onto Archer Avenue.
AWARDS:
-Overall Male & Female will receive custom tile awards for 9 mile race.
-Full Age Group Awards for the 9 MILE TRAIL RACE ONLY, Top three in each age group: 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
-The 3 & 6 Mile will have age group winner awards only.
-Post race raffle with great prizes from Universal Sole & all of our sponsors to be held at our post race party on-site!
-Packet Pick-up & Race Day Registration:All packets/numbers can be picked race morning on-site @ Wolf Road Woods (Palos) from 8:00am until 8:45am @ The USOLE Tents.
If you would like to register for the race, you may do so on-site at the USOLE Tents from 8am - 8:45am race morning. We highly recommend registering pre-race, but can take walk-ups as well.
POST RACE BREWS & FUN!
Once the races are over, craft brews for everyone (along with an N.A. alternative as well)! We will have some other goodies for folks as well to enjoy, but let's run, have some fun and enjoy some beer! Once again we will have some brews from our sponsors, Bitter Pops & Goose Island Beer Company for all folks to enjoy and sip while celebrating your accomplishment! Come on out, enjoy some great summer trail running, great craft brews and tons of camaraderie!
BRING OLD RUNNING SHOES OUT TO THE RACE TO RECYCLE!
Reduce Waste Chicago is a nonprofit organization that empowers residents to address climate change through waste reduction on a personal, producer, and policy level. They host Reuse & Recycling Pop-Up events across the city, where they collect a selection of items that can be reused, repurposed, or are difficult to recycle. Reduce Waste Chicago will be out at USOLE races accepting running shoes for recycling (athletic shoes only; please no packaging, bags, boxes, etc.) For more information, click here.
Want To Volunteer? Please email: info@universalsole.com
**PLEASE NOTE: NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES FOR THIS EVENT**
_THREE DISTANCES TO CHOOSE!_
_*3 MILES-> 6->MILES-> 9 MILES* _
JUNE 27, 2026 @ 9AM
Trail running has always been in our USOLE DNA! We were the first running store in Chicago to bring trail racing to the Chicago running community. These trail races are great courses for folks wanting to get off the roads and enjoy some of our beautiful trails, but not have to be an expert trail runner to get to the finish. Our trail races are very laid back and great fun for the entire family, making it fun & easy for all! The USOLE Trail Challenge is great for people of all ages and all abilities looking to change up the running routine and get off the roads!
TRAIL RACE LOCATION:
We will be headed to Wolf Road Woods, part of the Palos Trail System to tackle our classic USOLE 3 mile course! This course will have a great mix of double & single track along with undulating terrain in the beautiful Wolf Road Woods! It may have a small hill or two to climb as well, but fun will always be had! You have three options to choose...One loop, Two loops or Three loops! You choose your distance! USOLE Trail Challenge races are a great way to see the trails, get a trail run in and enjoy camaraderie with your trail running friends!
RACE DETAILS:USOLE SUMMER TRAIL CHALLENGE REGISTRATION PRICING:
Opening Price until February 28 - $40.00
March 1 - April 30 - $45.00
May 1 - May 31 - $50.00
June 1 - Race Day - $55.00
No exchanges or refunds
THE GOODS:
Everyone receives a USOLE Trail Challenge premium giveaway
Brews for all post race!
USOLE camaraderie and fun as always!
Courses will be trail & off road with crushed limestone, dirt, rocks, & roots...and maybe some mud. Fun is the name of the game!
Races will begin promptly @ 9:00am. Race day pickup & registration will begin @ 8:00am.
Weather Issues: In the case of inclement weather, the only time we will delay a race or consider any action is in the presence of lightening. All other weather (rain, snow, tons of snow, tons of rain, etc) we will run the race. After all, this is trail running and some inclement weather makes it that much more fun!
Water will be at the Start/finish line. Due to Cook County Forest Preserve regulations, we are not allowed to have any aid station in the trails. Runners running the 6 or 9 mile will have access to water before heading out back out on the second & third three mile loops. It is recommended to carry a hand held bottle or a hydration belt if you need on-course hydration. Bottles can be filled at start/finish line as well as at the split aid station.
-Granola Bars & bananas will be at the finish.
-Race day gear check will be at the Universal Sole Tents
-Parking Info: Plenty of parking in the forest preserve parking lots!
DIRECTIONS TO RACE SITES (SEE MAP AND ADDRESS BELOW):
(Wolf Road Woods) - Coming from the north, take I-55 to Exit 279A, southbound La Grange Road. Drive south for roughly 2 miles and exit south onto Archer Avenue.
AWARDS:
-Overall Male & Female will receive custom tile awards for 9 mile race.
-Full Age Group Awards for the 9 MILE TRAIL RACE ONLY, Top three in each age group: 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
-The 3 & 6 Mile will have age group winner awards only.
-Post race raffle with great prizes from Universal Sole & all of our sponsors to be held at our post race party on-site!
-Packet Pick-up & Race Day Registration:All packets/numbers can be picked race morning on-site @ Wolf Road Woods (Palos) from 8:00am until 8:45am @ The USOLE Tents.
If you would like to register for the race, you may do so on-site at the USOLE Tents from 8am - 8:45am race morning. We highly recommend registering pre-race, but can take walk-ups as well.
POST RACE BREWS & FUN!
Once the races are over, craft brews for everyone (along with an N.A. alternative as well)! We will have some other goodies for folks as well to enjoy, but let's run, have some fun and enjoy some beer! Once again we will have some brews from our sponsors, Bitter Pops & Goose Island Beer Company for all folks to enjoy and sip while celebrating your accomplishment! Come on out, enjoy some great summer trail running, great craft brews and tons of camaraderie!
BRING OLD RUNNING SHOES OUT TO THE RACE TO RECYCLE!
Reduce Waste Chicago is a nonprofit organization that empowers residents to address climate change through waste reduction on a personal, producer, and policy level. They host Reuse & Recycling Pop-Up events across the city, where they collect a selection of items that can be reused, repurposed, or are difficult to recycle. Reduce Waste Chicago will be out at USOLE races accepting running shoes for recycling (athletic shoes only; please no packaging, bags, boxes, etc.) For more information, click here.
Want To Volunteer? Please email: info@universalsole.com
**PLEASE NOTE: NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES FOR THIS EVENT**
Races
-
Universal Sole Summer Trail Challenge - 3 Mile Trail Run
Incl. $3.40 Fee & TBD
Sat 27th June 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
Universal Sole Summer Trail Challenge - 6 Mile Trail Run
Incl. $3.40 Fee & TBD
Sat 27th June 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
Universal Sole Summer Trail Challenge - 9 Mile Trail Run
Incl. $3.40 Fee & TBD
Sat 27th June 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
$43.40
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Location
9600 Wolf Road, Willow Springs, 60480, IL, United States
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The Universal Sole Summer Trail Challenge
