Rankings · updated September 7, 2026

Best Races Near Chicago

Every race within 30 miles of downtown, ranked by composite score from public signals — no pay-to-play, ever. How scoring works →

Composite /100 · FLD field · HST history · CRD credentials · CHR character

  1. 1 Chicago Marathon Chicago, IL Oct 2026 Major BQ USATF 94.5/100
  2. 2 2026 Lemons of Love Pink Lemonade 5K Run/Walk Mount Prospect, IL Oct 2026 47.6/100
  3. 3 6th Annual Fox Trot 5K Bedford Park, IL Jun 2027 36.9/100
  4. 4 3rd Annual Downers Grove, IL Ostomy 5k Downers Grove, IL Oct 2026 35.5/100
  5. 5 12th Annual Christmas Without Cancer 5k Run/Walk (In-Person OR Virtual Option) Evergreen Park, IL Sep 2026 35.1/100

Longest-running near Chicago

6 races we can date but haven't measured enough of to score. Oldest first. What we measure →

  1. 1 23rd Annual This Run's For Jack 2026 Glen Ellyn, IL Oct 2026 2004 22 years running
  2. 2 18th Annual Beverly Hills Turkey Trot 5K Run & Family Walk Chicago, IL Nov 2026 2009 17 years running
  3. 3 18th Annual F^3 Lake Half Marathon & 5k Chicago, IL Jan 2027 2010 16 years running
  4. 4 13th Annual Harvest Hustle 5K Niles, IL Oct 2026 2014 12 years running
  5. 5 4th Annual DBC Keys 2 Stability Community 5K 2026 Flossmoor, IL Oct 2026 2023 3 years running
  6. 6 4th Annual Run for the Parks! 5K Run, Walk or Roll Chicago, IL Sep 2026 2023 3 years running

Also listed, not yet ranked

51 races we list but haven't measured enough of to score. By date. What we measure →

  1. Ana Banana 5k & Fun Run Morton Grove, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  2. 5K Run, Walk & Roll-Celebration of Donation Glen Ellyn, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  3. Carl Sandburg Athletic Booster 5K Run/Walk Orland Park, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  4. El Grito 5K Family Run/Walk Chicago, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  5. Chicago River Swim Chicago, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  6. Blue Bridges 5K Blue Island, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  7. Busse Woods 20 Miler - 7:00a.m. Elk Grove Village, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  8. Cardio Kidz Fall Conditioning at KidStrong Schaumburg, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  9. DuPagePads Rock & Bowl Wheaton, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  10. 2026 D54 Education Foundation Run to Read Schaumburg, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  11. 5K Fun Run and Family Walk Glenview, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  12. Cause 4paws Gary 5k Hound Pound Hammond, IN Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  13. Abuelitos 5K Chicago, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  14. Bloomingdale Trail 5K Chicago, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  15. District 112 FUNd Run and Family Walk Highland Park, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  16. 2026 Chi-Care 5K Run/Walk Chicago, IL Sep 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  17. Angels Against Abuse 5K Walk/Run Romeoville, IL Oct 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  18. Boo Island - 5K Charity Run/Walk Blue Island, IL Oct 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  19. Chicago Vocational Alumni Association, Inc. 5K Torch Trail Chicago, IL Oct 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  20. Cheesy Pretzel 5K and 1 Mile Walk Bolingbrook, IL Oct 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  21. Chicago - HFTC 5k Chicago, IL Oct 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  22. CAI - Illinois Family 5k Oak Brook, IL Oct 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  23. Coffee Lovers Run 5K/10K/13.1 CHICAGO/EVANSTON Chicago, IL Oct 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  24. Cookie Run 5K/10K/13.1 CHICAGO/EVANSTON Chicago, IL Oct 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  25. Cantigny 5K Run/Walk 2026 - Benefiting The Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans Wheaton, IL Oct 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  26. Chicago Fall Classic Half Marathon, 10K & 5K Chicago, IL Oct 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  27. Bolingbrook Howl-O-Ween 5K Bolingbrook, IL Oct 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  28. Day of the Dead Family 5K Run/Walk Wheeling, IL Oct 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  29. Dia de los Muertos 5K Run/Walk Highland, IN Nov 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  30. 2026 Jingle Bell Run - Western Suburbs, IL Wheaton, IL Nov 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  31. Brookfield Zoo Chicago Reindeer Run Brookfield, IL Nov 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  32. Butterball Burner 5K Fun Run Homewood, IL Nov 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  33. 5k Turkey Trot Family Tradition 2026 Elmwood Park, IL Nov 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  34. Arlington Heights Turkey Trot Arlington Heights, IL Nov 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  35. Chi Town Turkey Trot 5K & 10K Chicago, IL Nov 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  36. Coffee Lovers Run 5K/10K/13.1 CHICAGO/EVANSTON Chicago, IL Nov 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  37. 2026 Jingle Bell Run - Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Dec 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  38. Candy Cane Course- Greater Chicago Elk Grove Village, IL Dec 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  39. Catch the Elf 5k & 10k Markham, IL Dec 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  40. A Merry Christmas Run 5K/10K/13.1 CHICAGO/EVANSTON Chicago, IL Dec 2026 Not yet rankedno verified data
  41. Cheers to New Year's 5k Run/Walk Itasca, IL Jan 2027 Not yet rankedno verified data
  42. Cheers to New Year's Virtual 5K Itasca, IL Jan 2027 Not yet rankedno verified data
  43. Coffee Lover Run CHICAGO/EVANSTON Chicago, IL Jan 2027 Not yet rankedno verified data
  44. Always Hope Easter Run CHICAGO/EVANSTON Chicago, IL Mar 2027 Not yet rankedno verified data
  45. Chi Town Half Marathon & 10K Chicago, IL Apr 2027 Not yet rankedno verified data
  46. Coffee Lover Run CHICAGO/EVANSTON Chicago, IL Apr 2027 Not yet rankedno verified data
  47. Chicagoland Spring Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K Schaumburg, IL May 2027 Not yet rankedno verified data
  48. 2027 Walk & Roll Chicago Chicago, IL Jun 2027 Not yet rankedno verified data
  49. America's Race - Leon's Triathlon. June 6, 2027 Hammond, IN Jun 2027 Not yet rankedno verified data
  50. BEAT THE BRIDGE 5K CHALLENGE - Scholarship run/walk/virtual Matteson, IL Jun 2027 Not yet rankedno verified data
  51. Bank of America Chicago Marathon Semper Fi & America's Fund Team Chicago, IL Oct 2027 Not yet rankedno verified data

Races worth traveling for

Twice a month: the races our data says are worth the trip — picked by the numbers, never pay-to-play. Plus a heads-up when your race's week arrives. One-click unsubscribe, always.