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The Sean McNamara Valentine's Trail Challenge - 4 Miles
**February 17, 2024 @ 10am**
We are proud to have this race honor our very dear friend and long time USOLE'r, Sean McNamara! Sean passed away in 2023, but his strong and infectious spirit will always live on in our races and in the Chicago running community. He loved the trails and loved our trail races. Now in it's 9th year, the USOLE Valentine's Trail Challenge is back @ Schiller Woods for 2024. Schiller Woods is a great location very close to the city with fantastic trails and plenty of tree lined scenery along the legendary Des Plaines River Trail (DPRT). Our Valentine's Trail Challenge course will offer a mix of challenging trails (snow covered) and beautiful scenery. For anyone wanting to try trail running, this will be a fantastic course for first timers! Plan to join us February 17 and find out the magic that is the USOLE Valentine's Trail Challenge. Waiting for everyone as they cross the finish will be Will's Famous Chili...a long standing USOLE Trail Challenge post winter trail race tradition.

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 December 1st - $35
    • Dec 2nd - Jan 1st - $40
    • Jan 2nd - Feb 1st - $45
    • Feb 2nd - 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 premium item that will be the envy of all other promo items from any other event you may have received.
    • Solemn Oath Brews/City Water Seltzer for all to enjoy post race.
    • WIll's Famous Chili for all at the finish!
  • 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 17 and 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!
  • Water will be provided at the start/finish line. Due to Cook County Forest Preserve regulations, we are not allowed to have any aid station in the trails. It is highly recommended you come with your own bottle or hydration pack option.
  • Granola Bars and bananas will be at the finish.
  • 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 site:
    • 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 award tiles and a gift certificate to Peak Running Stores.
  • 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:
*We will have Race Morning Registration (cheapest price is to register prior to race day).
*Packet Pickup will be race morning from the USOLE Tents starting @ 8:30am 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 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)!

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.
IN MEMORY OF OUR DEAR FRIEND, SEAN MCNAMARA (ABOVE & BELOW).
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 wave.

*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