Date & Time
Sunday, May 18, 2025
8:00am
Description
Experience the trails at The Forge-Lemont Quarries with a beautiful 10K course.
Location
The Forge Lemont Quarries
About
Committed to serving the Chicagoland running community, CARA's Spring Trail Chase is a 10k run/walk held at The Forge Lemont Quarries in Lemont, IL. This is CARA's only trail run and race in the suburbs!
Runners will enjoy a beautiful course through the adventure park covered with trees and mostly on crushed limestone.
Amenities
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Chip-Timed 10K Run/Walk
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Beautiful trail course through The Forge - Lemont Quarries
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CARA branded giveaway item
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Overall and Age-Group Awards
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Part of the Chicago Racing Circuit
10k:
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$40 ($36 - MEMBER) - January 17 through February 18
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$45 ($40.50 - MEMBER) - February 19 through March 25
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$50 ($45 - MEMBER) - March 26 through April 22
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$55 ($49.50 - MEMBER) - April 23 through May 17
Registration closes on May 17 at 5:00 p.m.
MEMBER PRICING:
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Become a CARA Supporter Level Member to receive 10% off. Discount credited automatically with member login on the registration form.
REGISTRATION LINKS
Pick-Up Schedule:
Monday, May 12, 2025
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Fleet Feet Oak Park - 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Friday, May 16, 2025
Race Day - Sunday, May 18, 2025
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On-Site - 7:00 to 7:55 a.m.
Packet Mailing
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Packet mailing is available during registration for a fee. To add packet mailing after registration, login HERE. Deadline to order is May 5th at 11:59 p.m.
Event Details
Event Capacity
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This event has a capacity of 450. Registration is scheduled to close on May 17 at 5:00 p.m. but may close sooner if capacity limits are reached.
Event Day Schedule
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6:30 a.m. - Venue open
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7:50 a.m. - Deadline to report to start wave
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7:50 a.m. - Pre-race announcements / instructions
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8:00 a.m. - Start
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9:15 a.m. - Awards Ceremony for overall finishers
Course
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Description: The course is generally flat. The trail surface is primarily well-maintained crushed limestone, with some wooden surface bridge crossings, some gravel, and wood chip. The route begins within "The Lawn", which is The Forge's outdoor music venue. The course proceeds along the Illinois & Michigan Trail Passage, through the Lemont Heritage Quarry Trails, and through The Forge Adventure Park grounds. The surroundings are mostly wooded, with scenic views of the adjacent water-filled quarries and the adventure park.
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Map: The course map can be found HERE.
Awards
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Recognition awards provided to the top three male, female, and non-binary runners overall.
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Recognition awards provided to the top three males and females in age-groups (14 & Under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85 & Over), overall award winners will not be included in age-groups.
Travel / Parking
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Location: The Forge, Lemont IL
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Travel information may be found in the updated Participant Guide
Finish Cut-Off
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Participants must finish within two (2) hours after the last on-time start (no late starts).
Start Wave Assignments / Procedures
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Participants are to organize in self-selected start corrals by their expected run/walk pace per mile for their distance (Under 5:00, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, Over 13:00).
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Signs with paces will be spaced to allow for the expected number of participants per pace to line up correctly. Participants are encouraged to line up by a pace that accurately reflects their intended average pace for the entire race.
Awards Ceremony
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An awards ceremony will be held for overall awards winners (top three).
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Age group awards must be picked up from the Results & Awards tent post-race. Awards will not be mailed.
Results Posting / Look-Up
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Results will be available for look-up kiosks at the Results & Awards Tent.
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Results will be posted live to the event website, allowing for participants to look up their results on mobile devices.

The Spring Trail Chase 10K is part of the 2025 Chicago Racing Circuit. The Circuit provides a competitive structure and recognition for Chicagoland runners and clubs. The Circuit annually honors Chicagoland’s top runners and clubs with Runner of the Year and Club Champion titles. Comprised of various race distances, the Circuit provides all runners - both recreational and competitive - with the opportunity to chase personal, club, and competitive goals.
Volunteer
Support local runners by volunteering for the Spring Trail Chase 10K. A variety of roles are available, and no experience is needed. Your support not only impacts runners on event day, it helps CARA, a 501c3 not-for-profit, and their work to support the running community throughout Chicagoland.








Yes, a member discount is applicable to CARA Supporter Level members (Individual, Family or Student packages).
Participants must agree that refunds and deferrals will NOT be issued for any reason, including participant injury, illness, and any other issues out of the control of the event, including, but not limited to cancellation due to weather/lightning.
No. Should participants voluntarily choose not to participate, or are unable to participate for reasons out of the control of the event (including, but not limited to injury, illness, personal matters, work conflicts, etc.), refunds will not be issued.
No. You may NOT give (sell or transfer) your registration to another person and another person may NOT participate in another person’s place.
Yes. Packets may be picked up by a friend or family member at pre-event day pick-ups. However, on event day, packets may only be picked up by the registered participant.
Yes. However, you must come to a packet pick-up.
No. Participants are not allowed to participate with baby joggers, strollers or animals.
No. All ages are welcome. However, parents/guardians are responsible for supervision of minors. Parents/guardians planning to run/walk the race with their child must register for the event.
Participants must finish within two (2) hours after the last on-time start (no late starts).
Yes. Clubs can contact info@cararuns.org to request a space at least two weeks prior to the event. Tents must be weighted with at least 20 pounds per leg.
The event will go on rain or shine. However, if there is lightning or other hazardous weather we will cancel or postpone. Our full weather policy and weather alerts are HERE.
The event will abide by USATF competition rules. Additionally, the event expects all participants to respect fair competition, including following the RRCA's Fair Competition Policies: https://www.rrca.org/resources/event-directors/fair-competition-policies.
No. There is not virtual option for running the Spring Trail Chase 10k.