The Universal Sole December Trail Challenge 2026 — Chicago, IL

Date
December 12, 2026
Location
Chicago, IL
Venue
8400 West Irving Park Road
Start Time
10:00 AM
Sunrise
7:08 AM
Entry Fee
$40.00 – $60.00
Events
The Universal Sole December Trail Challenge - 4.5 Miles
Includes
Custom Running Trucker Hat
Register NowRegistration OpenOfficial Race Website
The USOLE December Trail Challenge - 4.5 Miles December 12, 2026 @ 10AM RACE START IS 10AM - Trail running has always been in our USOLE DNA! We were the first running store in Chicago to bring trail racing to the Chicago running community. These trail races are great courses for folks wanting to get off the roads and enjoy some of our beautiful trails, but not have to be an expert trail runner to get to the finish. Our trail races are very laid back and great fun for the entire family, making it fun & easy for all! The USOLE Trail Challenge is great for people of all ages and all abilities looking to change up the running routine and get “off” the roads! Trail Race Location - We will be headed back to the Far Northside of Chicago and Schiller Woods! This is the original USOLE Trail Challenge course and location and we love this place! A great location very close to the city, but has the great trails and scenery of the woods in beautiful Schiller Woods. The trail will be a flatter off road course with crushed limestone, rocks & roots to run over. A nice blend of single and double track will satisfy all levels of trail runners! If we get a little rain, the course will have some mud section which will make it even more fun! Come out and run in our original USOLE Trail Challenge location!

Course & Travel Notes

The Universal Sole December Trail Challenge takes place in Chicago on December 12th, 2026, with the race kicking off at 10:00 AM, so you'll want to arrive with plenty of time to spare before dawn breaks at 7:10 AM. Chicago O'Hare International Airport is conveniently close at just 6.4 miles from the venue, making it easy to get in and out. Pack layers for the chilly December weather—expect highs around 37°F and lows around 24°F, and there's about a one-in-three chance of rain that day, so waterproof gear is definitely worth throwing in your suitcase. The venue sits at 627 feet elevation, so it's pretty flat terrain overall.

⛰️ 627 ft elevation☀️ Typically 37°F / 24°F · 34% chance of rain✈️ Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) — 6.4 mi

Hotels Near This Race

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The Universal Sole December Trail Challenge 2026 — Chicago, IL

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Race Travel Insurance

Don't forget travel insurance for December 12.

You've trained for months and booked a trip to Chicago, IL. A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing. Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it, and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run 5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no additional coverage needed.

  • Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
  • Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
  • Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
  • Emergency medical up to $250,000
  • Cancel For Any Reason add-on available
  • 24/7 real-time support
Get a Quote — Faye Travel Insurance

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is The Universal Sole December Trail Challenge 2026 — Chicago, IL?

The Universal Sole December Trail Challenge 2026 — Chicago, IL takes place on December 12, 2026. The race is held in Chicago, Illinois.

Where is The Universal Sole December Trail Challenge 2026 — Chicago, IL held?

The Universal Sole December Trail Challenge 2026 — Chicago, IL is held at 8400 West Irving Park Road in Chicago, Illinois.

Where can I find hotels near The Universal Sole December Trail Challenge 2026 — Chicago, IL?

RaceHotelFinder shows hotels sorted by distance from the race venue in Chicago. Use the map or list view on this page to compare options and book race weekend accommodation.