Illinois Mud Run & Obstacle Race Calendar 2025-2026

The Savage Race - Chicago will take place in Spring Grove on Saturday 28 June 2025. You can run between 3 and 7 miles.

The H-F Beast Obstacle Course Dash, held in Homewood, Illinois, is a family-friendly outdoor event designed to promote fun and fitness. Scheduled for July 13, 2025, the course features two categories: ages 6-14 complete a 1-mile run with 8 obstacles, including tire flips, balance beams, spear throws, and stepping stones; participants 15 and older tackle a 2-mile course with 16 obstacles such as bucket carries and tire flips. The race runs in 5-minute waves, encouraging continuous movement and energy. Finisher medals and t-shirts are awarded, and a prep course is available in June at the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club for all participants. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

The Hill of a Race will take place in Bloomington on Saturday 16 August 2025.

Tough Mudder Chicago 2025 takes place at Rockford International Airport, about 1.5 hours from Chicago. This challenging mud run features a 15K course with over 20 legendary obstacles, including the Berlin Walls, Arctic Enema ice pit, and Augustus Gloop fire hose tube. Participants face tough terrain and shoe-sucking mud in a team-oriented atmosphere that emphasizes camaraderie and mental stamina.

Options include a 5K with 12+ obstacles, multi-lap Infinity races, and group packages for teams of 10 or more. Finishers earn medals, shirts, headbands, and a celebratory drink. Spectators can enjoy live entertainment and local food at the Mudder Village Festival. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

The Ultimate SUCK is an intense endurance event held at Decker Farm in Cuba, Illinois, featuring challenging 36-hour, 12-hour, and 4-hour races. Combining elements of trail running, military boot camp, strongman training, and Midwestern farm chores, participants face grueling tasks such as carrying heavy loads, chopping wood, and potentially experiencing pepper spray. The course is set on a farm with a rugged atmosphere, where racers camp in hay fields and are not allowed to sleep during the event. Strict rules limit crew support until the final 12 hours, emphasizing self-reliance. The event encourages participants to "Embrace the SUCK" through physical and mental endurance. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

Operation Obstacle 2025 is a timed, 2-mile obstacle course race held at Richland Community College Fitness Center in Decatur, Illinois. Featuring 15-20 obstacles such as carrying and pulling objects, army net crawls, and climbing challenges, the mostly flat course tests participants' endurance and agility. A unique fire truck hose down awaits runners at the finish line.

The event also offers a non-competitive fun run option for those who prefer to jog or walk and skip obstacles. Proceeds support the college's Student Veteran Resource Center, raising awareness to end veteran suicide. All finishers receive a challenge coin and goodie bag. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

Midwest OCR is an obstacle course racing event held at The Cliffs Insane Terrain Off-Road Park in Marseilles, Illinois. Scheduled for September 27, 2025, it offers multiple race options including a 5K and 10K in both non-competitive (Just-for-Fun) and competitive (Elite) divisions. The challenging 10K Elite race features over 30 obstacles across rugged terrain with hills, cliffs, ravines, creeks, and wooded trails.

A unique Bearded Challenge involves completing three laps of the 10K course. Additional categories include a ruck division and a kid’s course with 10+ obstacles. Participants receive finisher shirts, medals, and professional photos, with cash prizes for top competitive finishers. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

Frontline OCR is an obstacle course race held at Byron Motosports Park in Byron, Illinois, dedicated to honoring military personnel, veterans, and first responders. The event challenges participants with purpose-built obstacles that simulate the physical and mental demands faced on the frontline, emphasizing courage, resilience, and readiness. Various race options include competitive and non-competitive 10K runs, a 5K, endurance challenges, a ruck division, and a kids' course for ages 5 to 13. The race fosters camaraderie and teamwork, encouraging participants to push their limits together in a supportive atmosphere. It serves as both a tribute and a rigorous test of grit and determination. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.