Live and Virtual Event!
Live Event
Saturday, September 25, 2021
Virtual Event
September 1 through September 26, 2021
Registration fees
Half Marathon Walk LIVE Closed
Online registration closed-
7:30 AM Start Time
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$50.00Apr 1 – Aug 31
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$55.00Sep 1 – Sep 25
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10K Walk LIVE Closed
Online registration closed-
7:30 AM Start Time
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$40.00Apr 1 – Aug 31
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$45.00Sep 1 – Sep 25
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Half Marathon Run LIVE Closed
Online registration closed-
8:10 AM Start Time
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$50.00Apr 1 – Aug 31
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$55.00Sep 1 – Sep 25
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10K Run LIVE Closed
Online registration closed-
8:10 AM Start Time
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$40.00Apr 1 – Aug 31
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$45.00Sep 1 – Sep 25
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5K Run / Walk LIVE Closed
Online registration closed-
8:30 AM Start Time
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$30.00Apr 1 – Aug 31
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$35.00Sep 1 – Sep 25
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Trifecta VIRTUAL Closed
Register for ALL THREE distances - Virtual Run / Walk Dates: 09/01/2021 to 09/26/2021
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$60.00Apr 1 - Sep 25
Half Marathon Run / Walk VIRTUAL Closed
Online registration closed-
Virtual Run / Walk Dates: 09/01/2021 to 09/26/2021
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$50.00Apr 1 – Aug 31
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$55.00Sep 1 – Sep 25
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10K Run / Walk VIRTUAL Closed
Online registration closed-
Virtual Run / Walk Dates: 09/01/2021 to 09/26/2021
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$40.00Apr 1 – Aug 31
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$45.00Sep 1 – Sep 25
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5K Run / Walk VIRTUAL Closed
Online registration closed-
Virtual Run / Walk Dates: 09/01/2021 to 09/26/2021
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$30.00Apr 1 – Aug 31
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$35.00Sep 1 – Sep 25
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Join us LIVE or VIRTUALLY for our 12th Annual Event!
Join us for the 12th Annual Moraine Hills Run For The Hills....live or virtually!
Live event will take place on Saturday, September 25, 2021
Gates open at 6:30 AM for the Half Marathon and 10K walkers
Gates open at 7:00 for all the Half Marathon Run, 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk
Place medals will be awarded for the live race on race day only.
Finisher Medals for race day and virtual can be picked up on race day
Finisher Medals may also be picked up after the race weekend at Volo Bog State Park during office hours.
Course support for all runners and walkers will end at 1:00 PM
Packet Pick-Up
Pre Race Pick up location:
The Running Depot
30 North Williams Street
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Pre Race Pick up dates/times:
Thursday, September 23 and Friday September 24
Between the hours of 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM on the above dates/weekends
Race Day Packet/Shirt/Bib Pick Up:
Saturday, September 25 beginning at 6:30 AM
Course Information
Course info:
- 5K / 3.1 mile course is entirely in the state park on the combined asphalt and crushed limestone trails of the Leatherleaf Bog Trail. Gorgeous!
- 10K/6.2 mile course is on the Lake Defiance and Leatherleaf Bog Trails featuring lovely views of the lake and marshes. Stunning views!
- Half Marathon/13.1 mile course starts on same course as the 10K for the first 6 miles. The half-marathoners will then run out to complete a loop of the McHenry Dam trail, and then an out and back on the River Road bike trail. At Junction C they head back to the finish in Northern Woods. The ultimate tour of Moraine Hills State Park!
Notes:
- all 3 courses are entirely within Moraine Hills State Park and the trails are closed to motorized vehicles
- all 3 courses are primarily crushed limestone trail with intermittent asphalt surfaces
- there will be arrows to direct runners at all key intersections and turns.
Keeping all everyone safe during our event
Race Day Safety Guidelines:
Please understand our goal is to provide an where everyone can “Come and Run/Walk Safely”.
With that in mind, please observe the following guidelines;
- If you have a fever, are feeling ill or have been in recent contact with someone unrecovered from COVID-19, please do NOT come to the event.
- Per the Illinois Department of Public Health recommendations, it is requested a face mask or face covering be worn by everyone when not on the race course and social distancing should be observed.
- NO SPITTING! Participants should carry their own tissues or hand towel for spitting, blowing nose, wiping sweat, etc., before, during and after their race.
- If family members or friends are attending the event with you, they must wear a face mask at all times and we ask that the do not congregate around the finish area.
- Unless you are with someone living in the same household, participants should not engage in traditional forms of physical contact such as handshakes, high-fives, hugs, partner stretching, etc.
- Water stations on the course and finish lines will be self serve. Volunteers will not be handing out water to eliminate contact.
The following must be followed at all times by all participants:
- Maintain Social Distancing
- Stay home if filling ill
- Use hand sanitizing stations
- Wear Masks
- Agree to temperature checks
Participants whose actions do not meet the above expectations, and/or are creating a risk for themselves or others, will be asked to leave the event.
Who are the Friends of Moraine Hills State Park
The purpose of the Friends of Moraine Hills State Park is to preserve the local natural heritage and promote citizen awareness of Moraine Hills State Park. This is done through special events, educational and training programs, and acquisitions of properties. Because portions of the Park are dedicated state nature preserves, the Friends also assist in taking steps necessary to insure the continued care and preservation of the Park as a natural site.
We are people dedicated to the preservation of Moraine Hills State Park by promoting citizen awareness of the local park programs and special events. Sponsoring special events and programs is the fun part for us. Annual events such as International Migratory Bird Day, Family Fishing Day, the Moraine Hills Photo Contest, and Introduction to Archery are for all to enjoy. Our biggest event and fundraiser is the annual "Run For The Hills" race, a 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon that courses through the Park's beautiful scenery. In addition, the Friends host an annual summer picnic for our members.
We started the organization in 2007 and have been enhancing aspects of the Park one goal at a time ever since.
Our newsletter is published four times a year and outlines the activities and accomplishments that occur throughout the year. Please note, that to be a "Friend" does not mean that you have to volunteer, but our volunteering opportunities are both fun and rewarding! A park always needs more Friends. Each year, Moraine Hills State Park and McHenry Dam hosts over 700,000 visitors. If only 1% became members, we'd have 7,000 members! Please consider joining us. A Friend of the park can simply give a monetary donation, or have fun with helping (and enjoying!) one of our events. A bonus for members is a 10% discount on gifts in the Tamarack Shop located in Volo Bog State Natural Area about 7 miles away.
How to Run Our Race Virtually
Register for the Virtual Half Marathon, 10K, or 5K race ...or all three!
Run virtually during an extended period - September 1 - September 26 either at Moraine Hills State Park on our beautifully marked courses (course maps are below and on our website. Directional arrows will also be set out) or run any location of your choice!
If you choose to run on the well groomed limestone and asphalt trails Moraine Hills State Park, you will experience views of Lake Defiance, native prairies, marshlands and, of course, experience the challenging hills of Moraine Hills State Park
All the Run For The Hills distances and the event is organized and sponsored by the volunteers of Friends of Moraine Hills State Park. All proceeds are given to environmental studies scholarships, educational programs, and visitor services at Moraine Hills State Park.
Register by August 24 to receive your official race shirt. Pick up will be Saturday/Sunday beginning September 1 at the Moraine Hills State Park Nature Center, 1510 South River Road, McHenry.
If you register after August 24 your shirt will be available September 24 at the Moraine Hills State Park Nature Center, 1510 South River Road, McHenry.
There will be no age group awards the virtual participants.
And Don't Forget the Infamous Run For The Hills Trifecta! Register to run/walk all three distances.....and complete them in the time period of September 1 - September 26. What a great way to support the Friends of Moraine Hills State Park and get special bragging rights! ....and one race shirt!
Follow these easy steps to prepare for your tracking:
 TRACKING STEPS 1. Download the ASICS Runkeeper™ app to your phone and create an account or scroll down to log into an existing account Once you have completed your distance in the app, save your workout and it will automatically post to Race Roster results. (This step must be followed from your mobile device) |
 VIEWING AND POSTING MANUAL RESULTS If you plan to record using another software or tracking device or post manually from what is recorded on your watch, simply head here and "Submit Virtual Result" between September 1 - September 26, 2021. |
FAQS:
- To record with tracking on the ASICS Runkeeper™ app, you will need to run or walk with your phone or with a connected wearable (see instructions below)
- You do not have to track with these technologies, it is optional!
- More detailed end-to-end instructions (with images) for using the ASICS Runkeeper™ app to track your virtual event are linked here
- Instructions to link a recent activity recorded on a FitBit, Garmin, or Apple Watch linked here
- Steps to connect your FitBit, Garmin, or Apple Watch to the Runkeeper™ app are linked here
- Steps to manually post your results on Race Roster (not using the app) are linked here
If you have any technical questions, please reply to this email and the Race Roster team will support you. Take pictures out there! get creative with your finish line - share your images and stories with us in the Facebook group and tag us on social!
We look forward to seeing your name on the results board. Remember that you can run, walk, roll, or skip your distance!
Event schedule
- Wed, September 1, 2021 12:00 AM - Virtual Run For The Hills Begins
- Fri, September 24, 2021 12:00 PM - Pre race packet pick up (12P-4P)
- Sat, September 25, 2021 6:30 AM - Race Day Packet Pick Up Opens
- Sat, September 25, 2021 7:30 AM - Live Half Marathon and 10K Walk Start
- Sat, September 25, 2021 8:10 AM - Live Half Marathon and 10K Run Start
- Sat, September 25, 2021 8:30 AM - Live 5K Run/Walk Start
- Sun, September 26, 2021 11:59 PM - Virtual Run For The Hills Ends
Contact information
- Event contact
- Run For The Hills Administrator
- Website
- Visit website
