Outerbelt Ultras

There are many options for running in Chicago but have you ever wanted to run AROUND Chicago? Well, this is your chance to run a good chunk of it on the 210- Mile Outerbelt Trail in the first trail ultra race designed to feature this exciting new trail around Chicago. Chicago is known for many things — skyline-perfecting architecture, waistline-expanding cuisine, the most revolting booze known to man. Natural beauty is not one of those things. However, a massive greenbelt of spectacular nature was right here all along.

We will be working to secure our permit for the race with the Forest Preserves of Cook County to run this event on October 15, 2023. We’ll plan to start and finish in Palos Woods at the Pulaski Woods South Grove #1 Picnic area and run as far south as the Bartel Grass Land Preserve for the 100K distance. You can explore the proposed aid stations and turnarounds on this map. Simply put, the Chicago Outerbelt is a trail that connects some of the best nature surrounding our city. In the future we hope our route will extend from Pulaski South Woods up north to Lake County, and finally back south along the Chicago Lakefront returning to Pulaski Woods. Primarily it consists of municipal properties pieced together for the first time — like the Cook County Forest Preserve District, Chicago Park District, and Lake County Forest Preserves.

Along the Outerbelt, you’ll see a vast cross-section of wildlife including deer, herons, egrets, eagles, hawks, frogs, toads, and fish. The only dangers you’re likely to encounter are some poison ivy, a few bug bites, and maybe a little sunburn.

We are excited to assemble a competitive 100K, 50 mile, and 50K distance along the route as well as distances for the marathon, half-marathon, 10K, and 5K.