Frozen Gnome

Confront the ultimate Midwest winter challenge at the Frozen Gnome 50k & 10k, a true triple-black-diamond trail race in Crystal Lake, Illinois, on Saturday, January 10, 2026. This iconic event takes runners on a demanding, beautiful 10k loop through the frosty single-track of Veteran Acres and Sterne’s Woods, featuring the legendary "Butt Slide Hill" and relentless, rolling terrain that defines its tough reputation. Both the 50k ultra runners and the 10k speedsters share a 7:45 AM mass start, embarking on a frosty adventure where camaraderie and hot chili at the "Gnome Depot" aid station are as vital as personal endurance.

With a 4:15 PM cutoff on January 10th, this race is a pure celebration of grit and winter beauty, offering finisher medals for all and coveted age-group awards. It's more than a run; it's a rite of passage for Chicago-area trail enthusiasts—a brutally fun, community-fueled test where every loop completed is a victory against the cold and the course itself.