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Best races in Chicago this winter
Updated
77 races are on the Chicago calendar from mid-November through February, across the city, the suburbs and Northwest Indiana. Thanksgiving morning is the busiest day of the season, then come Santa and Jingle Bell runs in December, a New Year's Eve 5K, winter trail races and the F^3 Lake Half on the lakefront in January.
Our picks
- Oldest Turkey Trot: Thornton Turkey Trot, November 26. Illinois' oldest Turkey Trot, a 5K in Glenwood now in its 58th year. Price goes up after November 26.
- Thanksgiving in the city: Edison Park Turkey Trot, November 26. A Northwest Side tradition since 1995, and one of the most popular trots in the area. Price goes up after November 22.
- Santa run: Santa Hustle Chicago, December 5. Chicago's stop of the Santa Hustle series: 1K, 5K and 10K. Price goes up after December 1.
- Jingle Bell Run: Jingle Bell Run - Chicago, IL, December 12. The Arthritis Foundation's festive charity run, 5K or 1 mile. Price goes up after December 12.
- New Year's Eve: New Year's Eve 5K, December 31. A 5K in Lincoln Park with a champagne toast at the finish. Price goes up after November 15.
- Winter trail series: Fox Valley Winter Challenge Trail Series 5k/8k/10k, January 23. The Fox Valley Winter Challenge, three trail races in Fox Valley forest preserves. Price goes up after December 12.
- The winter half: 18th Annual F^3 Lake Half Marathon & 5k, January 30. Chicago's original winter half marathon, on the lakefront from Soldier Field. Price goes up after November 13.
- Early St. Patrick's: Time to Paddy 5K/10K & Lucky 13.1 - Greater Chicago, February 27. A St. Patrick's themed 5K, 10K and half in Rolling Meadows. Price goes up after November 24.
Every Chicago race this winter, by month
November 2026
37 races
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Reg. closed
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from $35Sign up ↗
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Sat Nov 21 · 10:00 AM · Willow Springs · South Suburbs
4 miles8 milesTrail
from $60Sign up ↗ -
from $40Sign up ↗
-
Sun Nov 22 · 8:45 AM · Lincolnwood · Chicago (city)
5K10K
from $52Sign up ↗ -
from $60Sign up ↗
-
Thu Nov 26 · 8:00 AM · Portage · Northwest Indiana
1K5K
from $35Sign up ↗ -
from $12.99Sign up ↗
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Thu Nov 26 · 8:00 AM · Crete · South Suburbs
5K
-
from $45Sign up ↗
-
from $30Sign up ↗
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Thu Nov 26 · 8:00 AM · Glenview · North Shore & North Suburbs
5K
-
from $45Sign up ↗
-
Thu Nov 26 · 9:00 AM · Highland · Northwest Indiana
10K
from $35Sign up ↗ -
from $12.99Sign up ↗
-
from $30Sign up ↗
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Thu Nov 26 · 8:00 AM · Palatine · North Shore & North Suburbs
2 miles5 miles
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Thu Nov 26 · 8:40 AM · Joliet · South Suburbs
1 mile4 miles
from $12Sign up ↗ -
from $12.99Sign up ↗
-
Sat Nov 28 · 9:00 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
5K
from $30Sign up ↗ -
Sat Nov 28 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
Reg. closed -
Sat Nov 28 · 7:45 AM · Elk Grove Village · North Shore & North Suburbs
5KHalf marathon
from $12.99Sign up ↗ -
Sat Nov 28 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
Reg. closed
December 2026
21 races
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Sat Dec 5 · 9:30 AM · Arlington Heights · North Shore & North Suburbs
5K
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from $12.99Sign up ↗
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Sat Dec 5 · 9:30 AM · Norridge · Chicago (city)
5K
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Sat Dec 12 · 9:00 AM · Elk Grove Village · North Shore & North Suburbs
1 mile5K10K9.3 miles
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Sat Dec 12 · 8:00 AM · Park Ridge · North Shore & North Suburbs
5KTrail
from $45Sign up ↗ -
Sat Dec 12 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
from $30Sign up ↗ -
Sat Dec 12 · 10:00 AM · Warrenville · West Suburbs
5K
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Sat Dec 12 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
from $30Sign up ↗ -
Sat Dec 12 · 10:00 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
4.5 milesTrail
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Sat Dec 19 · 8:00 AM · Crown Point · Northwest Indiana
5K
from $30Sign up ↗ -
Sat Dec 26 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
from $30Sign up ↗ -
Sat Dec 26 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
from $30Sign up ↗ -
Sun Dec 27 · 9:30 AM · Elk Grove Village · North Shore & North Suburbs
5K10KHalf marathon
January 2027
10 races
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Sat Jan 2 · 9:00 AM · Greater Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
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Sat Jan 16 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
from $30Sign up ↗ -
Sat Jan 16 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
from $30Sign up ↗ -
from $60Reg. closed
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Sat Jan 23 · 10:00 AM · Batavia · West Suburbs
5K8K · Feb 2010K · Mar 14Trail
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Sat Jan 30 · 10:01 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
5KHalf marathon
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Sat Jan 30 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
from $30Sign up ↗ -
Sat Jan 30 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
from $30Sign up ↗
February 2027
9 races
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from $45Reg. closed
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Sat Feb 13 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
from $30Sign up ↗ -
Sat Feb 13 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
from $30Sign up ↗ -
Sat Feb 20 · 7:45 AM · Crown Point · Northwest Indiana
1.25 miles5K10K
from $25Reg. closed -
from $65Reg. closed
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Sat Feb 27 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
from $30Sign up ↗ -
Sat Feb 27 · 7:30 AM · Chicago · Chicago (city)
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
from $30Sign up ↗ -
Sat Feb 27 · 9:00 AM · Rolling Meadows · North Shore & North Suburbs
1 mile5K10KHalf marathon
Quick answers
How many races are in Chicago this winter?
Races Near lists 77 races in Chicago, the suburbs and Northwest Indiana between November 15, 2026 and February 28, 2027: 27 on Thanksgiving weekend and 19 with a half marathon.
Is there a winter half marathon in Chicago?
Yes. The F^3 Lake Half Marathon is Saturday, January 30, 2027, on the lakefront, starting from Soldier Field. 18 more races this winter also offer a half, listed on this page.
When does the next Chicago race price go up?
Jingle Dash 5K: the 5K goes from $45 to $50 after November 9. 28 more Chicago races publish a later price increase, listed on each race page.
What is the cheapest race in Chicago this winter?
Festivus 5K Run on December 13 has the lowest starting price among these races: from $10 for its cheapest event, before the registration platform's processing fee.