Moraine Hills
Run For The Hills
5K Run/Walk
10K Run/Walk
Half Marathon Run/Walk
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Moraine Hills State Park
Virtual Option
September 1 through September 27, 2025
Place awards not picked up on day of race can be collected at
Moraine Hills State Park Visitors Center
Wed-Sun 9am - 3pm by end of November
Registration fees
Half Marathon Run
Price changes in 5 months 26 days-
8:00 AM Start Time
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Register for Half Marathon Run$55.00Now registering Mar 1 – Aug 30
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$60.00Aug 31 – Sep 27
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10K Run
Price changes in 5 months 26 days-
8:00 AM Start Time
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Register for 10K Run$45.00Now registering Mar 1 – Aug 30
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$50.00Aug 31 – Sep 27
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Half Marathon Walk
Price changes in 5 months 26 days-
7:30 AM Start Time
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Register for Half Marathon Walk$55.00Now registering Mar 1 – Aug 30
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$60.00Aug 31 – Sep 27
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10K Walk
Price changes in 5 months 26 days-
7:30 AM Start Time
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Register for 10K Walk$45.00Now registering Mar 1 – Aug 30
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$50.00Aug 31 – Sep 27
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5K Run / Walk
Price changes in 5 months 26 days-
8:15 AM Start Time
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Register for 5K Run / Walk$35.00Now registering Mar 1 – Aug 30
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$40.00Aug 31 – Sep 27
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Half Marathon Run / Walk VIRTUAL
Price changes in 5 months 26 days-
Virtual Run / Walk Dates: 09/01/2025 to 09/28/2025
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Register for Half Marathon Run / Walk VIRTUAL$50.00Now registering Mar 1 – Aug 30
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$55.00Aug 31 – Sep 27
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10K Run / Walk VIRTUAL
Price changes in 5 months 26 days-
Virtual Run / Walk Dates: 09/01/2025 to 09/28/2025
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Register for 10K Run / Walk VIRTUAL$40.00Now registering Mar 1 – Aug 30
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$45.00Aug 31 – Sep 27
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5K Run / Walk VIRTUAL
Price changes in 5 months 26 days-
Virtual Run / Walk Dates: 09/01/2025 to 09/28/2025
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Register for 5K Run / Walk VIRTUAL$30.00Now registering Mar 1 – Aug 30
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$35.00Aug 31 – Sep 27
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Trifecta VIRTUAL OPTION ONLY
Register for ALL THREE distances - Virtual Run / Walk Dates: 09/01/2025 to 09/28/2025
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Register for Trifecta VIRTUAL OPTION ONLY$65.00Mar 1 - Sep 27
Join us IN PERSON or VIRTUALLY for our 16th Annual Event!
Join us for the 15th Annual Moraine Hills Run For The Hills....in person or virtually!
- In Person event will take place on Saturday, September 27, 2025
- Virtual event will take place September 1 - September 27, 2025
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 & Half Marathon Walkers)
• 7:30 Distance Walkers Start (10K Walkers & Half Marathon Walkers)
• 7:40 Instructional for 10K Runners and Half Marathon Runners
• 7:50 National Anthem & Color Guard
• 8:00 10K Runners & 1/2M Runners Start (separated into waves)
• 8:15 5K Runners & 5K Walkers Start
Place medals will be awarded for the in-person race on race day only.
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 25 and Friday September 26
Between the hours of 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
Race Day Packet/Shirt/Bib Pick Up:
Saturday, September 27 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.
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 27 either at Moraine Hills State Park on our beautifully marked courses (Course maps are below and on our website. Directional arrows will be set out on race day only.) 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 25 and 26 at the Running Depot in Crystal Lake from 10 AM to 7 PM and on race day September 27 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 27. 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 27, 2025. |
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!
Is water available during the run?
Yes, we have stations set up along the route approximately every 2 miles. Water and Gatorade are available
Is food available at the stations?
No, snacks are not available at the stations. Bananas and water are available at the end of the run.
Are restrooms available along the run?
5K - no
10K - 2 (miles 2, 2.5, & 6)
½ M - 3 (miles 2, 2.5, 6, 7.5, 8, 9.5, 11.5)
Can someone else pick up my packet?
Yes, packets do not have to be picked up by the participant.
Can I bring a stroller?
Yes, you may bring a stroller. Please be mindful of the other participants and respectful of their space.
Event schedule
- Mon, September 1, 2025 12:00 AM - Virtual Run For The Hills Begins
- Thu, September 25, 2025 10:00 AM - Pre race packet pick up (10A-7P) Running Depot downtown Crystal Lake
- Fri, September 26, 2025 10:00 AM - Pre race packet pick up (10A-7P) Running Depot downtown Crystal Lake
- Sat, September 27, 2025 6:30 AM - Race Day Packet Pick Up Opens
- Sat, September 27, 2025 7:25 AM - Instructional Announcement for Distance Walkers (10K Walkers & Half Marathon Walkers)
- Sat, September 27, 2025 7:30 AM - In Person Half Marathon Walk and 10K Walk Start
- Sat, September 27, 2025 7:40 AM - Instructional Announcements for 10K Runners & Half Marathon Runners
- Sat, September 27, 2025 7:50 AM - National Anthem and Color Guard
- Sat, September 27, 2025 8:00 AM - In Person Half Marathon Run and 10K Run Start
- Sat, September 27, 2025 8:15 AM - In Person 5K Run/Walk Start
- Sat, September 27, 2025 11:59 PM - Virtual Run For The Hills Ends
Contact information
- Event contact
- Run For The Hills Administrator
- Website
- Visit website
