The USOLE November Trail Challenge
*The Ryan & Katie Flynn 8 Mile (2 loop Course)*
**We will offer an option to race one loop with a 4 mile distance (1-loop)**
November 22, 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 Wolf Road Woods, part of the Palos Trail System to tackle our legendary USOLE 4 mile course (will do this loop twice for the 8 mile race). We will offer runners who don't want to go 8 miles a chance to compete in the ONE loop, 4 mile trail race if they choose. 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! USOLE Trail Challenge races are a great way to see the trails, get your long run and enjoy camaraderie with your trail running friends!
Race Details:
  • USOLE November Trail Challenge Pricing:
    • Until June 30 - $30.00
    • Until August 31 - $40.00
    • Until September 30 - $45.00
    • Until October 31 - $50.00
    • Through race morning - $55.00
    • No exchanges or refunds
  • The Goods:
    • Every registered runner will receive a custom USOLE Trail Challenge premium item. Hang tight as we will announce this shortly.
    • Craft Brews & NA Beer 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 packet 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!
  • We will have Magnesia bottled water at the Start/finish line. Due to Cook County Forest Preserve regulations, 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
  • Refreshing craft brews will be given to all runners after the race in a socially distant manner. For those that enjoy NA beers, those will be available as well (in limited quantities).
  • Race day gear check will be at the Universal Sole check-in tables.
  • Parking Info: Plenty of parking in the forest preserve parking lots!
  • Directions to race site:
    • (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 to 95th. Left on 95th and take that to the split and veer a soft right to the Forest Preserve Entrance/Wolf Road. Follow Wolf Road all the way to the end, go right and to the USOLE Race Site @ Wolf Road Woods - Grove #2.
Awards:
  • Overall winners for Female, Male & Non-Binary will receive custom award tiles for the 4 Mile & 8 Mile Races and Gift Certificate to Fleet Feet!
  • Full Age Group Awards for 8 mile race - 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+
  • Age Group Awards for 4 mile race - Age group winners only (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 ALSO be on-site/race morning @ Wolf Road Woods 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). Athletes registering morning of the race are not guaranteed a shirt and maybe offered an alternative item.

Post Race - Will's Famous Chili, Craft Brews & Fun!
Once the races are over, Will's Famous Chili and craft brews 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, Craft Brews, NA Beer...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)!
The Ryan & Katie Flynn Memorial Trail Challenge Series
As we prepare for the upcoming USOLE Trail Challenge Series Trail Races (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! 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.

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

Wolf Road Woods (Forest Preserves - Palos Division)
9600 Wolf Rd
Willow Springs, IL 60480
DIRECTIONS TO WOLF ROAD WOODS
*There will be plenty of parking in the Forest Preserve Parking Lots!
THANKS TO OUR 2024 USOLE TRAIL CHALLENGE SPONSORS