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The December Trail Challenge - 4.5 Miles
December 13, 2025 @ 10AM
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 out and run in our original USOLE Trail Challenge location!
Race Details:
  • RACE REGISTRATION FEE:
    • Until June 30 - $30.00
    • Until July 31 - $40.00
    • Until September 30 - $45.00
    • Until November 30 - $50.00
    • Through race morning - $55.00
    • No exchanges or refunds
  • The Goods:
    • Every registered runner will receive a really cool USOLE Trail Challenge custom & premium swag piece that is TBD.
    • Delicious Brews/Hard Seltzer for all to enjoy post race.
    • Will's Famous Chili for all finishers!
  • 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 @ 10:00am...Race day pickup & registration will begin @ 8:30am.
  • 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 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. 
  • Granola Bars & bananas will be at the finish line for all athletes.
  • Refreshing brews will be given to all runners (21 & older) to go with the chili.
  • Race day gear check will be at the Universal Sole Tents
  • 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 Female, Male & Non-Binary winners will receive custom awards
  • Age Group Awards, Top three in each age group (Female, Male & Non-Binary): 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
  • 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:
*Packet Pickup location at Fleet Feet - TBD
*Packet Pick Up will be on-site/race morning @ Schiller Woods (West) Grove 2 starting @ 8:30am at the USOLE Tents/Tables.
*We will have race morning registration for folks that want to run. We highly recommend signing up ONLINE with your phone or computer prior to heading to the USOLE tables as internet in the woods can be spotty with our computers (and the cold weather slows them down as well).

Post Race - Will's Famous Chili, Brews & Fun!
Once the races are over, Will's Famous Chili and cold brews along with for everyone! 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, cold brews...and Water! We are always in for a treat when Will crafts his family three meat chili for all to enjoy along with a fantastic vegetarian chili for those that prefer a non-meat option.
The Ryan & Katie Flynn Memorial Trail Challenge Series
As we prepare for the upcoming USOLE Trail Challenge Series (October, November, December 2024), 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! 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.

BRING OLD RUNNING SHOES OUT TO THE RACE TO RECYCLE!
Reduce Waste Chicago -- They help Chicagoan's reduce their waste output through reusing, repairing and recycling. They work with organizations across the city to host Reuse & Recycle Pop-Up events, where residents can drop off materials from our accepted items list that are not accepted by the city’s Blue Cart program. RWC distributes items to other organizations, local nonprofits, artists groups and recycling companies – all of which improves landfill diversion. Reduce Waste Chicago will be out at the USOLE Trail Challenge Races accepting running shoes for recycling. For more information, click here.

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

Volunteer Information: Please email Universal Sole ([email protected]) and let us know if you would like to take part by volunteering.

*Please note: There are no refunds, exchanges or person to person entry transfers 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 2024 USOLE TRAIL CHALLENGE SERIES SPONSORS