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The Valentine's Trail Challenge - 4.2 Miles (NEW COURSE)
**February 12th, 2022 @ 10am**
Now in it's 7th year, the USOLE Valentine's Trail Challenge is back @ Schiller Woods for 2022.  A new course awaits everyone for 2022 and we are excited to get you all on it! Schiller Woods is a great location very close to the city with great trails and wooded scenery on the legendary Des Plaines River Trail (DPRT). The trail will be a flat off road course with nice wide trails the entire distance making it a great trail experience off the roads. This race is perfect for those wanting to try trail for the first time! Plan to join us February 12th, 2022 and find out the magic that is the USOLE Valentine's Trail Challenge.

POSSIBLE WEATHER ALERT! DUE TO POSSIBLE SNOWY CONDITIONS, SOME SECTIONS OF THIS COURSE ARE SNOW, MUD AND ICE COVERED! WE RECOMMEND ALL RUNNERS WEAR CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK SPIKES OR A PAIR OF YAKTRAX (SEE PIC) TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE AND GAIN TRACTION ON THE SNOW/ICE SECTIONS. YAKTRAX CAN BE WORN ON ANY RUNNING SHOE!

Race Details:
  • USOLE Valentine's Trail Challenge Pricing:
    • UNTIL RACE DAY - $40
    • RACE DAY - $50
    • WE WILL HAVE RACE MORNING REGISTRATION
    • No exchanges or refunds
  • The Goods:
    • Every registered runner will receive a custom USOLE Valentine's Trail Challenge Long Sleeve Sublimated Wicking Running Shirt (see photo of shirt on this page).
    • A Custom Valentine's Trail Challenge Decal (Limited Edition).
  • Courses will be snowy trail & off road with crushed limestone, dirt, rocks, & roots...and maybe some mud. Fun is the name of the game!
  • Race will begin @ 10:00am on February 12th and race day pickup & registration will begin @ 8:00am!
  • 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.
  • Refreshing Solemn Oath Brews, City Water Seltzer & Athletic Brewing craft brews will be given to all runners after the race.
  • 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, 70-79, 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:
*We will have Race Morning Registration - $50.00
*Packet Pickup will only be race morning from the USOLE Tents starting @ 8am and finish @ 9:30am.

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 Seltzer will also be out as well for folks to enjoy! We will have some other goodies for folks as well to enjoy, but let's run, have some fun and enjoy the best chili on earch, Will's Famous Chili! 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)! A great post race treat after hitting the trails!

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)!
COVID-19 Rules & Regulations:
  • If you are fully vaccinated, we will have no mask requirement in place for our races. If you are not vaccinated, we urge you to wear a mask and social distance as necessary. We will operate on the honor system and will not be asking for any proof of vaccination.
  • This will be a mass start race and everyone will start together in the start/finish corral. We will have chip timing, so anyone that wants to start after the mass start can feel free to do so as your time will start once you cross the start line.
  • Please be responsible for any activities pre and post race (selfies, group selfies, etc).
  • Persons from high-risk groups for COVID-19 (that are not vaccinated) 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. 

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 2022 USOLE TRAIL CHALLENGE SERIES SPONSORS