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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


Saturday, September 26, 2026

Moraine Hills State Park


Virtual Option

September 1 through September 27, 2026

Due to changes in the law, the price now includes all processing fees.


Registration fees

Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees

Half Marathon Run

Price changes in 5 months 1 hour

10K Run

Price changes in 5 months 1 hour

  • 8:00 AM Start Time

    1. $50.14
      Now registering Mar 1 – Aug 29
      Register for 10K Run
    2. $55.49
      Aug 30 – Sep 26

Half Marathon Walk

Price changes in 5 months 1 hour

10K Walk

Price changes in 5 months 1 hour

5K Run / Walk

Price changes in 5 months 1 hour

Half Marathon Run / Walk VIRTUAL

Price changes in 5 months 1 hour

10K Run / Walk VIRTUAL

Price changes in 5 months 1 hour

5K Run / Walk VIRTUAL

Price changes in 5 months 1 hour

Trifecta VIRTUAL OPTION ONLY

Register for ALL THREE distances - Virtual Run / Walk Dates: 09/01/2026 to 09/27/2026

  1. $71.53
    Mar 1 - Sep 26
    Register for Trifecta VIRTUAL OPTION ONLY

Join us for the 17th Annual Moraine Hills Run For The Hills....in person or virtually!

  • In Person event will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2026
  • Virtual event will take place September 1 - September 27, 2026


Gates open at 6:30 AM


• 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 top three finishers in each category

Participation medals are optional and available for an additional fee of $5 until August 28.


Course support for all runners and walkers will end at 12:30 PM





Pre Race Pick up location:

The Running Depot

30 North Williams Street

Crystal Lake, IL 60014


Pre Race Pick up dates/times:


Thursday, September 24 and Friday September 25

10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.



Race Day Packet/Shirt/Bib Pick Up:

Saturday, September 26 beginning at 6:30 AM.

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 course marshals and arrows to direct runners at all key intersections and turns.

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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” is 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, 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! Add a membership to your order when you register!

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 are 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 24 and 25 at the Running Depot in Crystal Lake from 10 AM to 7 PM and on race day September 26 beginning at 6:30 AM in the park at the check in station.

There will be no age group awards for the 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
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 27, 2026, 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 27, 2026.



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!

Our animal teams are raising money for specific projects! Please consider making a $10 donation during registration to one of the teams below!

  • Sandhill Crane Team - Wingspan Interpretive Sign at McHenry Dam
  • Whitetail Deer Team - Purple Martin Interpretive Sign
  • Blandings Turtle - Communal Bicycle Repair Stand
  • Green Darner Dragonfly - Permanent Binoculars at Osprey Overlook


* Any funds not needed for the above projects will be added to the Friends general revenue to support Moraine Hills State Park




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 & 6)

½ M - 3 (miles 2, 6, 8,)

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

  • Tue, September 1, 2026 12:00 AM - Virtual Run For The Hills Begins
  • Thu, September 24, 2026 10:00 AM - Pre race packet pick up (10A-7P) Running Depot downtown Crystal Lake
  • Fri, September 25, 2026 10:00 AM - Pre race packet pick up (10A-7P) Running Depot downtown Crystal Lake
  • Sat, September 26, 2026 6:30 AM - Race Day Packet Pick Up Opens
  • Sat, September 26, 2026 7:25 AM - Instructional Announcement for Distance Walkers (10K Walkers & Half Marathon Walkers)
  • Sat, September 26, 2026 7:30 AM - In Person Half Marathon Walk and 10K Walk Start
  • Sat, September 26, 2026 7:40 AM - Instructional Announcements for 10K Runners & Half Marathon Runners
  • Sat, September 26, 2026 7:50 AM - National Anthem and Color Guard
  • Sat, September 26, 2026 8:00 AM - In Person Half Marathon Run and 10K Run Start
  • Sat, September 26, 2026 8:15 AM - In Person 5K Run/Walk Start
  • Sat, September 26, 2026 11:59 PM - Virtual Run For The Hills Ends

Contact information

Event contact
Run For The Hills Administrator
Website
Visit website