Wild Wild Wilderness
- Date Sat 12th September 2026
- Time 9:00AM CDT
- Location Oakwood, Illinois
- Price $38.10 - $43.40
- Races 2 races
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of adventure at the 46th Annual Wild Wild Wilderness event, taking place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in the picturesque Oakwood, Vermilion. This exciting race offers participants the choice of two thrilling distances: a scenic 5K and a challenging 7.45-mile trail run. Both races kick off from the stunning Kickapoo State Recreation Area, with the 7.45-mile course featuring an exhilarating 95% trail path, where runners will climb steep hills, cross creeks and bridges, and have the chance to spot local wildlife!
Registration opens on race day from 8:00 AM to 8:45 AM, with race fees set at $40 for the 5K and $45 for the 7.45-mile run. While registration does not include a race shirt or sweatshirt, participants can enjoy the thrill of the course without a time limit—just focus on having fun! Make sure to arrive early for packet pickup, which includes your bib and essential gear. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a first-time participant, the Wild Wild Wilderness promises an unforgettable experience in the great outdoors. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature and fellow
Registration opens on race day from 8:00 AM to 8:45 AM, with race fees set at $40 for the 5K and $45 for the 7.45-mile run. While registration does not include a race shirt or sweatshirt, participants can enjoy the thrill of the course without a time limit—just focus on having fun! Make sure to arrive early for packet pickup, which includes your bib and essential gear. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a first-time participant, the Wild Wild Wilderness promises an unforgettable experience in the great outdoors. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature and fellow
Organiser's Description
46TH ANNUAL WILD WILD WILDERNESS EST. 1981
RACE DAY REGISTRATION
RACE DAY SIGN-UPS ARE AVAILABLE ONSITE FROM 8:00 TO 8:45
AM.
COST: $40 (5K) OR $45 (7.45 MILE) PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO KRR.
RACE DAY REGISTRATION DOES NOT INCLUDE A RACE SHIRT OR SWEATSHIRT.
WANT TO SAVE TIME? HTTPS://RUNSIGNUP.COM/RACE/ONSITEREG/95011 [https://runsignup.com/Race/OnSiteReg/95011]
PACKET PICKUP:
PACKET WILL INCLUDE YOUR BIB, SHIRT AND PINS AND CAN BE PICKED UP ON RACE DAY FROM 8:00 AM TO 8:45 AM. THE LOCATION FOR PICKUP IS AT KICKAPOO STATE PARK MAINTENANCE BUILDING.
LOCATION:
KICKAPOO STATE RECREATION AREA TAKE I-74 TO EXIT 210 AND FOLLOW THE SIGNS TO THE PARK. ADDRESS IS: 10906 KICKAPOO PARK RD, OAKWOOD IL 61858.
RACE TIME LIMIT: NONE JUST HAVE FUN
ALARM CLOCK START TIMES:
5K: 9:15
7.45 MILE: 9:00
COURSE OVERVIEW:
THE 7.45 MILE COURSE IS 95% TRAIL, AND HEADS EAST OUT OF THE PARK BEFORE TURNING INTO THE WOODS, WHERE THE ADVENTURE REALLY BEGINS. YOU WILL CLIMB AND DESCEND STEEP HILLS, CROSS CREEKS AND BRIDGES, AND IF YOU ARE LUCKY, SEE SOME DEE AND OTHER WILDLIFE. THIS IS A SCENIC AND CHALLENGING RUN.
RESCUE WORKERS HELMETRESCUE WORKERS HELMET AID STATIONS:
THERE WILL BE ONE AID STATION APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES INTO THE COURSE AND ANOTHER RIGHT AFTER 4 MILES. THE AID STATIONS WILL BE SUPPLIED WITH LIQUID HYDRATION.
RACE DAY REGULATION REMINDERS:
NO BANDITS . NO RADIOS OR HEADPHONES. NO STROLLERS . NO DOGS
NO AWARDS OR SHIRTS MAILED
CROSS MARK NO REFUNDS OR BIB TRANSFERS
MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN DRAWING
CAMPING UPDATE
KICKAPOO HAS TWO MAJOR CAMPGROUNDS FOR TENT AND TRAILER CAMPING WITH 184 SITES. ABOUT HALF OF THE SITES HAVE ELECTRICAL HOOKUPS. TWO SHOWER BUILDINGS AND A SANITARY DUMP STATION ARE AVAILABLE. A LIMITED NUMBER OF WALK IN SITES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PRIMITIVE CAMPERS, BUT SEVERAL CAMPSITES CAN BE RESERVED BY WRITING THE SITE OR BY APPLYING IN PERSON. FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: HTTPS://DNR.ILLINOIS.GOV/PARKS/PARK.KICKAPOO.HTML OR CALL 217-442-4915
RACE DAY REGISTRATION
RACE DAY SIGN-UPS ARE AVAILABLE ONSITE FROM 8:00 TO 8:45
AM.
COST: $40 (5K) OR $45 (7.45 MILE) PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO KRR.
RACE DAY REGISTRATION DOES NOT INCLUDE A RACE SHIRT OR SWEATSHIRT.
WANT TO SAVE TIME? HTTPS://RUNSIGNUP.COM/RACE/ONSITEREG/95011 [https://runsignup.com/Race/OnSiteReg/95011]
PACKET PICKUP:
PACKET WILL INCLUDE YOUR BIB, SHIRT AND PINS AND CAN BE PICKED UP ON RACE DAY FROM 8:00 AM TO 8:45 AM. THE LOCATION FOR PICKUP IS AT KICKAPOO STATE PARK MAINTENANCE BUILDING.
LOCATION:
KICKAPOO STATE RECREATION AREA TAKE I-74 TO EXIT 210 AND FOLLOW THE SIGNS TO THE PARK. ADDRESS IS: 10906 KICKAPOO PARK RD, OAKWOOD IL 61858.
RACE TIME LIMIT: NONE JUST HAVE FUN
ALARM CLOCK START TIMES:
5K: 9:15
7.45 MILE: 9:00
COURSE OVERVIEW:
THE 7.45 MILE COURSE IS 95% TRAIL, AND HEADS EAST OUT OF THE PARK BEFORE TURNING INTO THE WOODS, WHERE THE ADVENTURE REALLY BEGINS. YOU WILL CLIMB AND DESCEND STEEP HILLS, CROSS CREEKS AND BRIDGES, AND IF YOU ARE LUCKY, SEE SOME DEE AND OTHER WILDLIFE. THIS IS A SCENIC AND CHALLENGING RUN.
RESCUE WORKERS HELMETRESCUE WORKERS HELMET AID STATIONS:
THERE WILL BE ONE AID STATION APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES INTO THE COURSE AND ANOTHER RIGHT AFTER 4 MILES. THE AID STATIONS WILL BE SUPPLIED WITH LIQUID HYDRATION.
RACE DAY REGULATION REMINDERS:
NO BANDITS . NO RADIOS OR HEADPHONES. NO STROLLERS . NO DOGS
NO AWARDS OR SHIRTS MAILED
CROSS MARK NO REFUNDS OR BIB TRANSFERS
MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN DRAWING
CAMPING UPDATE
KICKAPOO HAS TWO MAJOR CAMPGROUNDS FOR TENT AND TRAILER CAMPING WITH 184 SITES. ABOUT HALF OF THE SITES HAVE ELECTRICAL HOOKUPS. TWO SHOWER BUILDINGS AND A SANITARY DUMP STATION ARE AVAILABLE. A LIMITED NUMBER OF WALK IN SITES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PRIMITIVE CAMPERS, BUT SEVERAL CAMPSITES CAN BE RESERVED BY WRITING THE SITE OR BY APPLYING IN PERSON. FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: HTTPS://DNR.ILLINOIS.GOV/PARKS/PARK.KICKAPOO.HTML OR CALL 217-442-4915
Races
-
Wild Wilderness 5K
Incl. $3.10 Fee & Unisex T-Shirt / Ladies Tank
Sat 12th September 2026 (9:15AM CDT)
$38.10
OPENS 30 OCTThe 5K run is a rustic trail that wraps around clear pond and takes you down spooky hollow and up the steps to 7. Follow the signs for the Clear (Pond) Trail. -
Wild Wild Wilderness 7.45
Incl. $3.40 Fee & Unisex T-Shirt / Ladies Tank
Sat 12th September 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
$43.40
OPENS 30 OCTThe 7.45 mile course, which is 95% trail, heads east out of the park before turning into the woods, where the adventure really begins. You will climb and descend steep hills, cross creeks and bridges, and if you are lucky, see deer and other wildlife. This is a scenic and challenging run.
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10906 Kickapoo Park Rd, Oakwood, 61858, IL, United States
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