Dick Pond Athletics
2026 Summer Trail Classic
Approx 4M * 9.5M * 13M
August 23, 2026
7:30 Start
The Summer Trail Classic is the third of four events of the 2026 Dick Pond Athletics Darn Tough Trail Race Series.
After galloping over the wide crushed limestone lanes at Chauncey’s in April and overcoming the hills on the wide grass/dirt pathways of Hickory Knolls in June, we are now venturing onto the twisting and turning single-track trails of Paul Douglas Forest Preserve in Hoffman Estates.
Choose from three different distances – approximate 4 miles / 9.5 miles / 13 miles – for a true trail running experience!
Date: August 23, 2026
Start Time: 7:30am (all distances)
Distances:
Approximate 4 miles / 9.5 miles / 13 miles
Walking-only participants are only allowed in the 4 mile distance, and support on all three courses will be removed at 12:00 Noon.
Location: Paul Douglas Forest Preserve, Central Avenue (just west of Roselle Rd, and just east of Barrington Rd), Hoffman Estates
Sponsors: Dick Pond Athletics, Mount to Coast and Darn Tough
Beneficiary: Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (CAMBr)
CAMBr is the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers, a volunteer organization of hundreds of riders who work to ensure that mountain bikers have diverse and challenging local opportunities to enjoy their sport. Our members have donated thousands of work hours to build and improve area trails.
The mission of the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers is to educate bicyclists, promote responsible trail use, prevent trail closings, maintain and build multi-use natural surface singletrack and freeride cycling opportunities in the Chicago area. CAMBr seeks to promote trail and freeride bicycling through stewardship, environmental and social responsibility, education, and a spirit of cooperation among all trail users, the conservation community, and governing bodies.
Please visit cambr.org if you are interested in finding out how you can get involved with CAMBr’s trail maintenance activities and/or cycling events.
Sponsored by
IMPORTANT: The Forest Preserve has very strict regulations in place regarding the trail use at Paul Douglas – if the trails are WET, the trails are CLOSED. If there is significant rain in the days immediately before race day and the Forest Preserve office deems the trails are not usable, we will shift the race to the asphalt bike path at the preserve. You will receive an email from us no later than Friday evening, August 21, notifying you of the change to the bike path with details about the course and race distances.
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
Individual
Price changes in 4 months 17 days-
Register here. During registration process you will be able to choose which distance
-
$60.21
Early
Jan 24 – Mar 29 -
Register for Individual$65.55
Standard
Now registering Mar 30 – Aug 16 -
$70.89
Race Week
Aug 17 – Aug 23
-
Event Info
Entry Swag: Registered participants receive a Leslie Jordan Running Vest:
Please refer to this sizing chart when you choose your size: We will not be able to exchange vest size once your order is placed
Awards:
Overall Winner and Age Group Awards: The Overall Male and Female Champion will each receive an engraved wood award.
The 1st & 2nd Place Male and Female finisher in each of the following age groups will receive an award: 13 & Under, 14-18, 19-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70 & Over.
Raffle: You receive automatic entry in the raffle with your entry. Winners will be drawn while the race is in progress. Be sure to check the Raffle Winner Board after finishing to see if you have won a prize. You must be present to win, and you must take your prize when leaving the event.
One individual, male and female, in each of the above age groups will receive a free pair of Darn Tough socks by random draw.
Results: Your official finish time and place will be available at the event by scanning the QR code on your race bib.
Bib Pick-up:
Saturday, August 22, 2:00 – 4:00pm, at Dick Pond Athletics, 1772 W Algonquin Rd, Hoffman Estates
Sunday, August 23, 6:30 – 7:30am, at race site
Course Information
Trail Protocol:
When passing other runners, you should loudly call out “on your left!” and pass on the left.
If you come upon someone who has fallen and is injured or in distress, please stop and aid them to the best of your ability. Notify race officials as soon as possible.
Wearing fully over-ear headphones or two ear buds/pods is NOT allowed. You must have at least one ear completely open to hear faster runners coming up behind you. If you are found wearing fully over-ear headphones or two ear buds/pods, you will be disqualified.
The trail will be closed at 11:00am.
Water Stations: There are three water stations along the course, however, it is recommended you carry your own liquids and nourishment for the distance you are running.
Volunteers
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers Are Needed: Want to be part of this event but unable to run? Volunteer!
We need people to help at the Start/Finish and at various points on the course. Besides receiving the eternal gratitude of the race organizers and runners/walkers, we’ll also give you a gift or two for helping out.
Please contact Wayne Haworth of Dick Pond Athletics at wayne@dickpondathletics.com if you can give us your time and energy.
Thank you!!!
Event schedule
- Sat, August 22, 2026 2:00 PM - Pre Race Day Packet Pick Up at Dick Pond Athletics 1772 Algonquin Road, Hoffman Estates 2PM-4PM
- Sun, August 23, 2026 6:30 AM - On Site Check In
- Sun, August 23, 2026 7:30 AM - All Distances Start
Contact information
- Event contact
- Wayne Haworth
- Phone
- +1 630-665-3316
- Website
- Visit website
