The USOLE April Trail Challenge - 4.5 Miles
April 10th, 2021 @ 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 back to the Far Northside of Chicago and Schiller Woods!  This is the original USOLE Trail Challenge 5 mile course and original location (over 20 years at Schiller woods)! This is a great location very close to the City, North & West Suburbs for all folks to easily travel to and take part in. Schiller Woods has a vast trail system that takes folks along the beautiful, scenic and legendary Des Plaines River Trail.
Race Details:
  • USOLE April Trail Challenge Pricing (due to COVID-19 safety regulations, our numbers are limited for this event):
    • UNTIL RACE DAY - $50
    • We will have race day registration available.
    • No exchanges or refunds
  • The Goods:
    • Every registered runner will receive a custom USOLE April Trail Challenge premium soft cotton t-shirt (See image on this page).
  • 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.
    • Directions for race start with special COVID-19 precautions will be announced closer to the event as we will be enforcing state and local guidelines for all 2021 USOLE Trail Challenges.
  • 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 lightning. 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.
  • Magnesia Natural Mineral Water at the Start/finish line. Due to Cook County Forest Preserve regulations and COVID-19 guidelines, we are not allowed to have any aid station in the trails. We will have an aid station at the start/finish line so you can fill up any bottles prior to the start of the race. It is highly recommended you come with your own bottle or hydration pack option.
  • Clif Bars, bananas & apples will be at the finish (in individual bags to ensure safety during COVID-19)
  • Refreshing Solemn Oath Brewing & Athletic Brewing craft brews will be given to all runners after the race in a socially distant manner. City Water hard Seltzer will also be out with a great new product!
  • 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:
    • Schiller Woods - From I-294 take the Irving Park Road exit east. From I-90, take the Cumberland Avenue exit south to Irving Park. Entrances for Schiller Woods West entrance is along Irving Park Road (right turn into the grove). We will be at Grove # 3.
Awards:
  • Top Five Overall for Male & Female Award Tiles
  • 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:
*We will be having a packet pickup with our retail partners:
April 8th - Bitter Pops Bottle Shop - 3pm - 9pm
April 9th - Heart Break Hill Running Company - 1pm - 7pm
*Packet pick-up will also be available on race morning (March 13 & 14) starting @ 8:00am from the USOLE Tents.

Post Race - Brews & Fun!
Once the races are over, we will have Solemn Oath craft brews along with Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic brews for everyone! City Water Hard Seltzer will also be on hand to help hydrate folks after the run. We will have some other goodies for folks as well to enjoy, but let's run, have some fun and enjoy some fine craft brew styles from our USOLE Trail Challenge sponsor!  We will also have a killer raffle for all runners with some really cool prizes from all of our sponsors. Come for the (trail) run, stay for the fun (socially distant and safe of course).

Volunteer Information: Please email Universal Sole (info@universalsole.com) and let us know if you would like to take part by volunteering.

Strollers & Dogs: Strollers and leashed dogs are allowed, we ask that you start in the last start time corral.
*Please note: There are no refunds or exchanges for this event. Discount codes can't be used on race day/night registration (best is to sign up pre-event on-line here)!

Location

Schiller Woods West Forest Preserve (Grove 3)
8400 West Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60634
*There will be plenty of parking in the Forest Preserve Parking Lots!
THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 USOLE TRAIL CHALLENGE SERIES SPONSORS