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USOLE December Trail Challenge - 5 Miles
December 18th, 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 course and location and we love this place! A great location very close to the city, but has the great trails and scenery of the woods in beautiful Schiller Woods. The trail will be a flatter off road course with crushed limestone, rocks & roots to run over. A nice blend of single and double track will satisfy all levels of trail runners! If we get a little rain, the course will have some mud section which will make it even more fun! Come our and run in our original USOLE Trail Challenge location!
Race Details:
  • ONE PRICE UNTIL RACE IS SOLD OUT - $40.00
    • We will have race day registration unless race sells out.
    • No exchanges or refunds
  • The Goods:
    • Every registered runner will receive a custom USOLE Trail Challenge premium item. We are not sure what it is yet, but will let you know and it will be really cool!
  • 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 @ 7:45am.
  • 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:
  • Overall for Male & Female will receive custom award tiles.
  • Age Group Awards, Top three in each age group: 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
  • 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:
*Details are TBD
*Packet pick-up will also be available on race morning starting @ 7:45am from the USOLE Tents.

Post Race - Will's Famous Chili, Craft Brews & Fun!
Once the races are over, Will's Famous Chili and Solemn Oath craft brews along with Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic brews for everyone! City Water Hard Seltzer will also be a part of the post run festivities as well! We will have some other goodies for folks as well to enjoy, but let's run, have some fun and enjoy some of Will's Chili, Craft Brews, Hard Seltzer...and Water! We are always in for a treat when Will crafts his family three meat chili for all to enjoy (and a fantastic vegetarian chili as well).

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

*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)!
  • COVID-19 Rules & Regulations:
    • All participants will be required to have face masks worn at all times prior to the state of the race and after the race while on race site.
    • All participants will be required to start the race with a mask and can remove the mask during the race (you sill must carry the mask).
    • We will require all registered runners follow all social distance guidelines with folks have a 6ft or greater distance apart.
    • We will be starting in time waves, each wave will start 10-15 runners in a total of 5 waves every three minutes (race start is 9am).
    • Each runner will be able to choose a start wave at packet pickup or on race morning (first come basis).
    • We will have start circles for runners to stand in for each wave at the start line corral with 6ft or more distance between the circles.
    • During COVID-19, please refrain from on-site physical forms of contact (hugs, high fives, etc)
    • Please be responsible and socially distant for any activities pre and post race (selfies, group selfies, etc)
    • Tissues/Handkerchief required for all spitting or nose blowing while on the race site and during the race.
    • Persons from high-risk groups for COVID-19 complications should consult their physician before participating.
    • Do not participate if you are feeling sick or ill, and or have a fever, or if you have been in contact with someone unrecovered from COVID-19.  
The Ryan & Katie Flynn Memorial Trail Challenge Series
As we prepare for the upcoming USOLE Trail Challenge Series Trail Races (October, November, December 2021), we are honored to dedicate the entire series in memory of our dear running friends, Ryan & Katie Flynn! Both were very active runners in the USOLE and Chicago running communities and we will miss them dearly! They always loved the trails and we always enjoyed having them being a part of our grass roots trail races! A portion of the Trail Challenge Series Proceeds will go to Ryan's Charity, Anixter Center and Katie's Charity Girls on the Run-Chicago! We hope everyone can make it out to our trail races, enjoy nature in the fall (a fantastic time to be on the trails) and keep Ryan and Katie in your thoughts.

Strollers & Dogs: Strollers and leashed dogs are allowed, we ask that you start in the last start time corral.

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 2020 USOLE TRAIL CHALLENGE SERIES SPONSORS