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Moraine Hills Run for the Hills

5K * 10K * Half Marathon

Moraine Hills

Run For The Hills

5K Run/Walk

10K Run/Walk

Half Marathon Run/Walk

7:30 AM Start


Saturday, September 28, 2024

Moraine Hills State Park


Virtual Option

September 1 through September 29, 2024

Medals not picked up at race may be retrieved from

Volo Bag State Natural Area

Wed-Sun 9am - 3pm by end of November


Registration fees

Half Marathon Run / Walk VIRTUAL

Price changes in 3 months 28 days

10K Run / Walk VIRTUAL

Price changes in 3 months 28 days

5K Run / Walk VIRTUAL

Price changes in 3 months 28 days

Trifecta VIRTUAL OPTION ONLY

Register for ALL THREE distances - Virtual Run / Walk Dates: 09/01/2024 to 09/29/2024

  1. $60.00
    Feb 29 - Sep 24
    Register for Trifecta VIRTUAL OPTION ONLY

Half Marathon Walk

Price changes in 3 months 28 days

10K Walk

Price changes in 3 months 28 days

Half Marathon Run

Price changes in 3 months 28 days

10K Run

Price changes in 3 months 28 days

  • 8:00 AM Start Time

    1. $40.00
      Now registering Feb 29 – Aug 31
      Register for 10K Run
    2. $45.00
      Sep 1 – Sep 24

5K Run / Walk

Price changes in 3 months 28 days

Join us IN PERSON or VIRTUALLY for our 14th Annual Event!

Join us for the 14th Annual Moraine Hills Run For The Hills....in person or virtually!

  • In Person event will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2024
  • Virtual event will take place September 1 - September 28, 2024


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



• 7:25 Instructional for Distance Walkers

(10K Walkers & 1/2M Walkers)

• 7:30 Distance Walkers Start

• 7:40 Instructional for Runners & 5K Walkers

• 7:50 National Anthem & Color Guard

• 8:00 10K & 1/2M Runners (separated into waves)

• 8:15 5K Runners & 5K Walkers


Place medals will be awarded for the in-person race on race day only.


Finisher Medals for race day and virtual can be picked up on race day

Medals not picked up at the race may be picked up at Volo Bog State Natural Area Wednesday – Sunday from 9 am – 3 pm through November.


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 26 and Friday September 27

Between the hours of 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM.



Race Day Packet/Shirt/Bib Pick Up:

Saturday, September 28 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.

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Who are the Friends of Moraine Hills State Park

The mission of the Friends of Moraine Hill State Park is to promote, maintain, and enhance the natural heritage of the Park. This is accomplished through funding and support of various park enhancements, habitat restoration, educational/training programs, special events and the care/maintenance of the Park and its designated nature preserves. Organized in 2007 the “Friends” are an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff.

The “Run for the Hills” fund raiser, grants, donations and member dues have allowed the “Friends” to provide numerous park enhancements, programs and annual environmental college scholarships. Park improvements include extensive habitat restoration, trail side educational panels, a lake terrace overlook with exhibits, information kiosks, wildlife viewing stations, trail paving, nature center upgrades, birdfeed stations, bee colonies, general park maintenance and much more.

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.

Benefits of membership include email notification of educational programs, fun outdoor events, newsletters and park information. Dues help promote and support programs such as restoration, annual environmental scholarships, native plant gardens, docent, roving naturalists, species monitor and special events. You may wish to volunteer which is fun and a great way to give back to your unique, diverse and beautiful park.

Join today! Select the option above for membership while registering for the event!

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 28 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 go toward environmental studies scholarships, educational programs, park improvements and visitor services at Moraine Hills State Park.

Official race shirts will be available for pick up on September 26 and 27 at the Running Depot in Crystal Lake from 10 AM to 7 PM and on race day September 28 beginning at 6:30 AM in the park at the check in station.

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 28. 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
2. Follow this link and click "Start Virtual Run" button to add the Moraine Hills Run For The Hills to your in-app virtual events
3. To record your run between September 1 - September 28, 2024, simply click the flag icon in your app, select the Moraine Hills Run For The Hills and follow prompts to start recording

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 28, 2024.



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!

Join one of the Moraine Hills Teams!

It's a race to the finish!

In addition to our usual half-marathon, 10k, and 5k races, we are thrilled to introduce our Animal Teams! Whether you're swift as a fox, nimble as a raccoon, steady as a turtle, graceful as a crane, or fleet-footed as a deer, there's a team waiting for you!


No matter what distance you are participating in you can join one of our teams!

  • Crane Team
  • Deer Team
  • Fox Team
  • Racoon Team
  • Turtle Team


Of course, each team thinks they can win....but who will be the fastest team??


Join a team and help your team get to the finish first!

Event schedule

  • Wed, August 30, 2023 12:00 AM - Virtual Run For The Hills Begins
  • Thu, September 21, 2023 10:00 AM - Pre race packet pick up (10-7P) Running Depot downtown Crystal Lake
  • Fri, September 22, 2023 10:00 AM - Pre race packet pick up (10A-7P) Running Depot downtown Crystal Lake
  • Sat, September 23, 2023 6:30 AM - Race Day Packet Pick Up Opens
  • Sat, September 23, 2023 7:25 AM - Instructional Announcement for Distance Walkers (10K & Half Marathon Walkers)
  • Sat, September 23, 2023 7:30 AM - In Person Half Marathon and 10K Walk Start
  • Sat, September 23, 2023 7:30 AM - Distance Walkers Start
  • Sat, September 23, 2023 7:40 AM - Instructional Announcement for Runners and 5K Walkers
  • Sat, September 23, 2023 7:50 AM - National Anthem and Color Guard
  • Sat, September 23, 2023 8:00 AM - In Person Half Marathon and 10K Run Start
  • Sat, September 23, 2023 8:15 AM - In Person 5K Run/Walk Start
  • Sun, September 24, 2023 11:59 PM - Virtual Run For The Hills Ends

Contact information

Event contact
Run For The Hills Administrator
Email
friendsofmorainehills@gmail.com
Website
Visit website