Registration is not yet open. Event details are tentative. 

​Amenities​​

• Chip-Timed 5K Run/Walk

• Unique twilight race, followed by a fun post-race party with live DJ on stage, and access to The Forge's "Foundry" outdoor bar. 

• Beautiful trail course through The Forge - Lemont Quarries

• Unique Short Sleeve Performance Shirt

• Summer Trail Chase 5K Collector's Trail Badge Sticker

• Overall and Age-Group Awards

Event Details

Event Day Schedule

• 5:00 p.m. - Venue open

• 6:20 p.m. - Deadline to report to Start Wave

• 6:20 p.m. - Pre-Race Announcements / Instructions

• 6:30 p.m. - Start​

Registration Fees [Registration is not yet open]

• Early Bird - $34 - Limited to first 100 persons to register

• Regular - $39 - Through TBA

• Late - $45 - Through TBA

• No Event Day Registration

• CARA Supporter Level members save 10%!

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Course

• 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.

• Map: The course map can be found HERE (Coming Soon).

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Awards

• Recognition awards provided to the top three males and females overall.

• Recognition awards provided to the top three males and females in age-groups (14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & Over), overall award winners will not be included in age-groups.

• Due to event start procedures, chip finishing times will be used for all awards to ensure final results are determined by participant's finish times from the point they cross the start line, to the point they cross the finish line, regardless of start/finish order.

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Packet Pick-Up ​

• TBA Chicago and Suburban Locations / Dates

• Packet mailing is available during registration or may be added HERE. (Deadline to order is August 1, 2021)

• NO RACE DAY PACKET PICK-UP. This is to limit gathering.

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Travel / Parking

• Location: The Forge, Lemont IL (1001 Main St., Lemont)

• Travel information may be found in the Participant Guide (Available by May 1)

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Event Capacity / Finish Cut-Off

• Participation will be limited to 300 persons.

• Participants must finish within one (1) hours and 5 minutes after the last on-time start (no late starts).

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Start Wave Assignments / Procedures

• Procedures have been designed to fully meet current Restore Illinois gathering and safety guidelines for athletic events. Our procedures may be adjusted should guidelines be changed prior to the event.

• Participants will be assigned to a Start Wave, each with a capacity of 50 persons. Within each Start Wave, two (2) participants will start the race every five (5) seconds to limit congestion and the need for passing on course. Detailed procedures are as follows: 

  • At packet pick-up, participants will receive a bib number with a Start Wave assignment (A, B, C, D, E or F) and a Start Position (1-50) within their wave. Each Start Wave will be limited to 50 persons.

  • Assignments will be determined by an estimated finish time participants provide during registration. Participants wishing to be in a wave with specific friends or family must register with identical estimated finish times. That estimated finish time should match the slowest person within the friend/family group. Participants who do not provide an estimated finish time will be placed in the final Start Wave. Changes to start waves/positions will not be permitted.

  • On event day, participants will organize before the race with their Start Wave in an assigned pod within the lawn of The Forge's large outdoor music venue. Pods will be separated by 30 feet from one another, and each will provide adequate space for participants to socially distance while within their pod. Non-registered participants may not enter pods, including parents/guardians (parents/guardians please consider this when registering your child if you do not plan to register/participate with them).

  • Participants may leave their pod to go to restrooms, or to complete warm-ups on designated trails. Participants must be within their pod, ready to start by 7:50 a.m.

  • Start Waves will be brought to the start line one at a time. Numbered cones will indicate start positions. Cones are placed to allow participants to remain six (6) feet apart while waiting to start. Participants should report to their start position when their wave is brought to the start area.

  • Beginning at 8:00 a.m., two (2) participants will start every five (5) seconds. As each two (2) begin, the remaining participants will move forward to the next open position. As participants arrive at positions one (1) and two (2) they will hold until signaled to start by race officials.

  • Once all participants from a Start Wave have begun the race, the next Start Wave will immediately be brought to the start area where the starting procedures will be repeated. This process will repeat until all Start Waves are on-course.

  • It is expected that each Start Wave will take approximately 2 minutes to clear the start line, and a gap of 30-60 seconds is expected between each Start Wave. The final start wave is expected to begin by 8:15 a.m. No late starts will be permitted. The finish cut off time will begin once the final wave has begun.

  • As participants finish, they must return to their Start Wave's pod or they may exit the event area.

• The event reserves the right to adjust these procedures based on participation levels and or for changes in gathering guidelines or procedures.

• Additional participant safety expectations are outlined in the sections below.

• Start Waves will begin to be assigned prior to packet pick-up. Register early to ensure best assignment.

COVID-19 Safety

Participant Guidelines / Expectations​

• 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. 

• Persons from high-risk groups for COVID-19 complications should consult their physician before participating.

• Do not engage in traditional forms of physical contact (handshakes, high-fives, hugs, partner stretching, etc.).

• Do not engage in close group pictures/selfies.

• Only spit or blow nose into a tissue or handkerchief.

• Do not share personal items, such as hydration, energy gels, towels, etc.

• Participants traveling from out of state must comply with any State of Illinois and Cook County travel orders.

• Participants may be required to exit the event should their actions not meet expectations and or they are creating risk for themselves or others.​

Venue Entry Requirements

• Participants must have a mask or face cover to enter the event area.

• Participant's temperatures may be checked (below 100.4 degrees required to enter) by contactless thermometer upon entry. Temperature data will not be recorded.

Mask  / Facecovers

• Participants must wear a mask or face cover at any time they are witin the venue (including, but not limited to parking, Start Wave  pods, restrooms, etc.).

• Masks and face covers may be removed after the start while on-course. Volunteers and staff will wear a mask or face cover at all times.

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Hygiene

• Hand sanitizer will be available.

• Indoor restroom buildings, with hand-washing, capabilities are available. 

Hydration

• Participants must bring their own hydration bottle.

• Coolers, equipped with low-contact "UltraSpouts" for bottle refill. Cups will be available from self-service dispensers.

• Bottled water will be provided at the finish post-race.

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Gathering Procedures

• The event will have a total capacity of 300, and per Restore Illinois Guidelines, participants will be separated into groups of 50, each separated by 30 feet. Detailed procedures are provided in the Start Wave explanation.

• The event reserves the right to adjust these procedures based on participation levels and or for changes in gathering guidelines or procedures.

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Spectators / Non-Participants

• Non-registered persons, friends, and family may not enter the start/finish area or Start Wave pods. Non-registered persons are encouraged not the attend.

The Summer Trail Chase part of an exciting series of trail races for the Chicagoland running community. Brought to you by the Chicago Area Runners Association, the CARA Trail Series will feature Spring, Summer, and Fall trail races in 2021 at The Forge Lemont Quarries.