13th Edition of the DPR Trail Races

Welcome to the 13th edition of the DPR Trail Half-Marathon, Marathon, 50 Km and 50 Mile Ultra Marathon along the beautiful and fast Des Plaines River Trail in Lake County, Illinois starting and finishing at Half Day Forest Preserve.

With expected cool temperatures, flat terrain, and ideal running surface, you'll find this trail to be extremely fast, which is perfect for a personal best, or a Boston Qualifying time. (Marathon is a Boston Qualifier!) Come out and join us for a great run!

This race is a CUPLESS EVENT (bring your own cup, hydration pack, water bottle, etc).

Interactive Map

Please visit our website at https://desplainesrivertrailraces.com for all the details; however, we can be reached by email at DPRRaceDirector@gmail.com.

Run Through a Beautiful Trail System

The DPR Trail is truly awesome and the color changes are OMG-worthy! You'll run through beautiful alternating lush forests and open wetlands on a very flat, wide, crushed gravel trail, free of roots and rocks.

All of the major road crossings are managed by way of bridges or viaducts (with only 4 minor road crossings along the whole 50K/50 Mile course, 2 on the Marathon course, and none for the Half-Marathon course).

All races are basically an out and back along the northern segment of the Des Plaines River Trail system. This is a TRAIL RACE so you may encounter areas where you may run through some water. This race is run along the Des Plaines River which floods during heavy rains. If the course is flooded we will run the ALTERNATE course.

The Marathon is a Boston Qualifier

With expected cool temperatures, flat terrain, and ideal running surface, you'll find this trail to be extremely fast, which is perfect for a personal best, or a Boston Qualifying time.

Finisher Medals, Belt Buckles, Award Plaques

Finisher’s medal for 50 Km, marathon, and half marathoner runners and Finisher’s buckle for the 50 Milers.

Awards for overall male and female winners for each race and for winners in each age group.

T-Shirts Guaranteed if Registered by August 15th, 2023

Trying to forecast participant registration after our t-shirt lead time is slightly easier than predicting the weather, but only slightly. The result is many surplus shirts at the end of the year. We find that wasteful and frankly not very earth friendly.

Because of the lead time, cost and wastefulness we set a date (August 15th) that participants must register by in order to be guaranteed a shirt. But don't fret buckaroo, we will order extra shirts. Those shirts are available after the race on a first come first serve basis. Once they are gone, they are gone.

It's not the traditional model, but hey we aren't filling landfills with surplus running shirts.

Let's get some swag

Swag includes an event t-shirt (NOTE: Only if you register on or before August 15th - see T-Shirt section) and an additional item that is TBD.

Refunds

• There are no refunds allowed for any reason including race cancellation. The Race Directors reserves the right to modify or cancel the race or course for safety concerns or because of fire, drought, storms, Acts of God, pandemics, epidemics, or other circumstances beyond the control of race management. In such cases there will be No Refunds of race entry fees and the Runners 4 wellness LLC organization and its sponsors will not be held liable. Each athlete must accept any such risk of their entry fee paid. There is no complimentary race entry to a future race.
• Entry fees collected are used to develop and produce the event, starting months in advance of the race date – including course preparation, race supplies, permits and administration. We pledge to make every effort to produce a fair and safe event for all participants. Any decision we make that impacts the race date or potential cancellation is carefully considered and based on the overall event safety and manageability.
• You can transfer or defer your entry anytime by October 2nd (See the sections that discuss it)
• Thank you for your understanding with our policy.

Downright Deferrable! Just let us know!

If something prevents you from attending the event this year, then use UltraSignup to initiate a rollover to the next year on or before October 2nd, 2023. You will be charged a 20% fee. For example, if you paid $100 for your race, you will receive an $80 credit for the next race.

Deferrals shall forfeit any race swag for the current year. We will not accept deferral requests after October 2nd. NO EXCEPTIONS!

If you wish to defer then know this. Auto credits kick in when a user cancels their registration prior to an event. Participants can cancel registration via their registration history, or via the "Edit" link on their receipt. Make sure to do so before the deadline listed above. If you defer, you must still register next year (your credit amount will be embedded in your email address).

Totally Transferrable

Up through October 2nd, you will be allowed to transfer from one race to another or to transfer your registration to someone else. Login with your UltraSignup account to initiate the transfer. Please note that you will not be able to transfer to another distance once it is sold out.

Age Limits

The participant must be at least the following age on race day to run.

Half Marathon: 12 years old
Marathon: 16 years old
50K: 16 years old
50 Mile: 16 years old

NOTE: For any minor who is registered, we will require parental consent and a signed waiver

Time Limits

Very Generous Cutoffs for the Half Marathon, Marathon, and 50K runners. The course closes at 6:30 PM

Half Marathon - 9.5 hours
Marathon - 10.5 hours
50 Km Ultra - 11.5 hours
50 Mile Ultra - 11.5 hours

Pre-Race and Race Day Packet Pickup Options Available

You can pick up your race packet on race morning, but you will also be able to get your race packet pickup at your convenience at two following locations in the two weeks prior to race day.

Dick Pond Athletics
847-720-4083
575 Busse Highway
Open Friday, October 6th thru Sunday, October 8th

847 Running Company
847-786-7623
406 N. Milwaukee Ave
Libertyville, IL
Open Tuesday, October 10th thru Thursday, October 12th

Plenty of Aid Stations

In addition to water and Tailwind we will have an assortment of food-related items and sweet and salty snacks that vary by aid station. We are a cup-less race, so make sure to bring a small cup, hydration pack, or water bottle along with you to fill up at the aid stations.

You will get friendly service from our volunteers who have been helping at our races for many years.

Half Marathon - 2 manned, and 2 unmanned
Marathon - 6 manned, and 2 unmanned
50 Km Ultra - 9 manned, and 2 unmanned
50 Mile Ultra - 10 manned, and 2 unmanned

Post Race Lunch/Dinner

We will have a grill cooking lunch (dinner) from 10:30 until sunset. Choice of beef or veggie burgers will be available. In addition, each runner will be given a selection of chips, drinks and cookies. A complimentary BEER will be given to all "of age" finishers!

Event's current local time: 1:44 AM CT