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The Universal Sole Valentine's Trail Challenge - 3.1 Miles
February 6th & 7th, 2021 @ 9am (Feb 6) & 10am (Feb 7)
**DUE TO LOCAL & STATE COVID-19 PARTICIPANT RESTRICTIONS, WE HAVE REACHED OUR RUNNER LIMIT FOR THE FEBRUARY 6TH TRAIL CHALLENGE. WE HAVE OPENED UP A SECOND DAY, FEBRUARY 7TH TO ACCOMMODATE OUR TRAIL RUNNERS THAT WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR ANNUAL USOLE VALENTINE'S TRAIL CHALLENGE. SEE REGISTRATION LINK BELOW.**
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!

WEATHER ALERT! DUE TO SNOWY CONDITIONS, SOME SECTIONS OF THIS COURSE ARE SNOW 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! THESE CAN BE PICKED UP AT HEART BREAK HILL RUNNING COMPANY DURING PACKET PICKUP OR AT ANY RUN SPECIALTY OR OUTDOOR RETAILER (MOOSEJAW, UNCLE DANS, REI, ETC).

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 (over 20 years at Schiller woods)! This is a great location very close to the city, but has the great trails and scenery of the woods and the Des Plaines River Trail all in beautiful Schiller Woods.
Race Details:
  • USOLE Valentine's Trail Challenge Pricing (due to COVID-19 safety regulations, our numbers are limited, these races will sell out):
    • UNTIL RACE DAY - $50
    • RACE DAY REGISTRATION FOR FEBRUARY 7TH ONLY
    • No exchanges or refunds
  • The Goods:
    • Every registered runner will receive a custom USOLE Trail Challenge Long Sleeve Running Tech Hoodie (See image above).
    • A Custom Valentine's Trail Challenge Decal (Limited Edition).
  • 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 @ 9:00am on February 6th and 10am on February 7th! 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 Odell Brewing & Athletic Brewing craft brews will be given to all runners after the race in a socially distant manner.
  • 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 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 partner:
February 4th & 5th - Heart Break Hill Running Company - 1pm - 7pm
*Packet pick-up will also be available on race morning (Feb 6 & 7) starting @ 8:00am from the USOLE Tents.

Post Race - Will's Famous Chili, Craft Brews & Fun!
Once the races are over, Will's Famous Chili and Odell Brewing craft brews along with Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic 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, Odell Brewing & Athletic Brewing Craft Beer! 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! Will's Famous Chili along with some ice cold craft brews are not to be missed!

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:
    • 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.
    • Packet Pick-up on-site will follow all social distancing rules with 6ft distance enforced.
    • Once checked in, we are asking everyone to return to vehicles or social distance from others until your start time is called up.
    • 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 based on predicted race pace (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. 

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