The Forge Trail Half Marathon

Muddy Shamrock Trail Half Marathon & Quarter Marathon Saturday, March 15, 2025 @ The Forge: Lemont Quarries 9:00 AM   2024 Results

 

Race Information

Woods, dirt, mud, roots, and maybe some other adventurous trail stuff will be experienced at the 4th annual Trail Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon @ The Forge. And now that we've earned the 4th leaf in our clover, the race is now named the MUDDY SHAMROCK!
 
This early season trail race will be run on wooded single-and double-track trails with awesome scenery around the historic Lemont Quarries. Both races will traverse the single track MTB trails within the woods and some gravel trails throughout the Forge and adjoining trail systems. 

Registration

Tier 1 (Until July 4, 2024) = $60 (Half) / $45 (Quarter)

Tier 2 (July 5, 2024 - October 15, 2024) = $65 (Half) / $50 (Quarter)

Tier 3 (October 16, 2024 - January 31, 2025) = $70 (Half) / $60 (Quarter)

Tier 4 (February 1 - March 15 (Race Day), 2024) = $80 (Half) / $65 (Quarter)

Race entry fees include: entry to the race, chip timed results w/live splits, earned overall and age group awards, Muddy Shamrock swag TBD, post-race party with food, beer, music and all around fun

Race Information

As an early season event held in March we anticipate variable weather, creating more adventure to the race (or, gorgeous sunshine like in 2024!).  Athletes will experience a unique trail race with a cool course, awesome scenery and a great venue based at The Forge: Lemont Quarries.

SWAG: Next year's swag will be something green.  TBD item and style.

Course Information

The course traverses the single and double track MTB trails within the woods and some gravel trails throughout the Forge and adjoining trail systems.  The course will have a common start / finish line. Runners will complete 2 laps for the Half Marathon and 1 lap for the Quarter. Total mileage will be approximately 13.3 +/- miles for the Half Marathon and approximately 6.6 +/- miles for the Quarter Marathon, but it is a trail and we don't want to do anything funky to make it a perfect distance.

The gravel is mostly flat. The MTB and single/double-track sections have variable terrain and surfaces ranging from dirt, grass, rocks, mud, more rocks, roots, stumps, Sasquatch, etc. A few spots are technical with several short but steep inclines and downhills.

Trail running shoes are recommended.

Aid / Hydration Station: There will be one aid station with water and sports drink located at the beginning of the second lap for the half.  Please plan on carrying your own hydration and fuel. We aim to go cupless for the 2025 event.

Course Map

2024 Course Map

Athletes' Guide

2024 Athletes' Guide

Directions

Use these directions for Packet Pick-Up and Race Day

Parking

Use Lots 1 or 2 after the 2nd stop sign on the gravel road. They are the closest to the bridges to enter The Forge, packet pick-up, and the common start and finish line.

Park and Parking Map: https://forgeparks.com/plan-your-visit/park-map

Packet Pick-Up

Your packet will include a bib with timing tag, swag (first 250 registered), and maybe even more swag!

PPU and Race Day Registration: We will accept registrations at packet pick-up and on race day if the race is not sold out.  Please note we will only accept online credit card payments for these registrations.  We'll have a computer set up or you may use your phone to register onsite.

Tuesday, March 11

4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Naperville Running Company

34 W. Jefferson Ave.
Naperville, IL 60540

 

Wednesday, March 12

4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Bee Well Collective

1011 State St., Suite 220

Lemont, IL 60439

(Located in the office building, 2nd Floor)

 

Thursday, March 13

4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Pollyanna Brewing 

431 Talcott Ave.

Lemont, IL 60439

 

Friday, March 14

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

The Forge: Lemont Quarries 

257 Heritage Quarries Dr., Lemont, Il 60439

 

Race Day

Saturday, March 15

7:00 AM - 8:45 AM

The Forge: Lemont Quarries 

257 Heritage Quarries Dr., Lemont, Il 60439

*At the Check-In Container just after you cross the I&M Canal bridge entering the Park (Near Zip Line Landing)

 

Race Day Schedule 

7:00 AM –                           Parking Opens

7:00 AM – 8:30 AM –          Race Day Packet Pick-Up & Registration Open

8:40 AM – 8:50 AM –        Pre-Race Line-Up

8:50 AM –                           Course Talk / Briefing

8:55 AM –                           National Anthem

9:00 AM –                          Half & Quarter Marathon Race Start

9:30 AM –                          Post Race Food / Beverage Available

~10:30 AM –                        Quarter Marathon Awards Ceremony

~11:15 AM –                       Half Marathon Awards Ceremony

Awards

2023 Half Marathon Award Winners

2023 Quarter Marathon Award Winners

1st – 3rd Overall Male and Female

1st – 3rd 10-Year Male & Female Age Groups from < 20 – Age 70+ (Examples: Male 30-39, Female 40-49, Female <20)

1st Place – Masters (40+) Male and Female

1st Place – Mr. & Ms. Mid-Pack

Additional awards, prizes and raffles will be offered and announced before the race!

Results

2024 Results

2023 Results

2022 Results

Race Photos

2023 Photos
2022 Photos

Volunteering

Volunteers make races great....Interested in volunteering?

Sign Up Here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/IL/Lemont/TheForgeTrailHalfMarathon

Sponsors And Partners

Interested in partnering with our races.  Contact Dave Fako at 708-705-6791 or forgeraces@gmail.com.

Questions?

Contact Dave Fako at 708-705-6791 or forgeraces@gmail.com.