Race day Sunrise:
race day Sunset:
Pre-Race Announcements
These important announcements will be 10 minutes before each race.
Packet Pick up
October 8, 9, 10, 2024
October 4 & 5
October 8th & 10th
September 26, 27 and 28
Dick Pond and the 847 Running Company both offer a great selection of shoes and supplies for your last minute shopping needs.
NOTE: Only those who registered by August 15th, 2024 will be guaranteed t-shirts. No size exchanges at pre-race packet pickups. Once the race is over you can ask for any size exchanges.
Race Day Packet pickup
There is race-day packet pickup at the race venue. You may pick up your packet one hour before your scheduled race. If you have already picked up your packet in advance there is no need to check in on race day; otherwise, please see the times below for specific race day checkin times.
Race Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Start Times:
50 Mile & 50k - 7am
***Kicks off Saturday morning at 7am. Remember, it's a cupless race.
Marathon - 8am
***Wave starts every 3 minutes, Remember, it's a cupless race.
Half Marathon - 9am
***Wave starts every 3 minutes, Remember, it's a cupless race.
***all runners finish line cut off is 6:30 pm
Start line address
619 S. Milwaukee Ave, Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Shelter A of the Half Day Forest Preserve, 24255 IL-21, Vernon Hills, IL 60060 at the intersection of Woodlands Parkway and Milwaukee Ave (Rte 21).
If your navigation system can’t locate that intersection, you can use the physical address of our sponsor hotel, The Extended Stay America, 675 Woodlands Pkwy, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. That hotel is located just across Milwaukee Ave from the start/finish line so it can be used for navigation purposes. Runners should NOT, however, park in their lot unless they are registered guests. Unauthorized vehicles will be ticketed and towed.
Parking
50-miler & 50k runners
Only the 50-mile ultra and 50K runners will be allowed to park at the Half Day Forest Preserve parking area. These 50 mile/50K runners will receive an email with their parking permit attached. This permit must be displayed on the car windshield on race morning or you will be directed to the remote lot. You should receive your parking permit on September 30th via email.
Marathon & Half Marathon Runners (including spectators)
All marathon and half marathon runners must park in the remote lot. This lot is less than a mile from the start line and we’ll have 3 buses running continuously from 6:30 am until 2:30 pm (one bus will continue to run until 4:30pm), so there will be minimal waiting time.
If you are picking up your packet at the race venue, we suggest arriving at the remote lot about 1 hour and 15 minutes before your race to allow enough time to catch a bus ride and pick up your packet. If you pick up your packet in advance, we suggest getting to the remote lot 45-60 minutes before your race. We highly suggest car pooling if at all possible. Parking at the remote lot is somewhat limited.
ALL Marathoners, Half Marathoners and Spectators MUST PARK IN THE REMOTE LOT. We will have Forest Preserve Police and a Parking Marshall helping with race day traffic flow so keep an eye out for them and follow their instructions and race day parking signs about where to park. The remote parking is at:
There will be signs helping to direct you to the remote lot.
Once in the lot there will be some sections that we are not allowed to park in which will be designated by signs and/or Caution tape. DO NOT MOVE THE SIGNS OR PARK IN ANY OF THESE AREAS. Doing so will jeopardize our being able to use this lot in the future (BTW - the lot is under 24 hour camera surveillance).
What If the lot at ZF Services is full?
We have permission from Automotive Keys Group to use their lot also. Their lot is right next to ZF Services. Please park in the section closest to ZF Services and walk to the shuttle buses at ZF. Automotive Keys Groups is located at:
The shuttle buses will be running all day so spectators can come and go as they wish.
If you park at the race venue without a parking pass you most likely WILL BE TOWED.
You have been warned.
Later in the afternoon (shuttles stop at 4:30pm) anyone can drive to the parking lot at the finish line as half marathon and marathon runners will likely be done and gone.
*If you are handicapped, please contact us by email to arrange a special consideration.
Drop Bags
ONLY AVAILABLE FOR 50 MILE AND 50K RUNNERS!
We often get asked if there are drop bag requirements. No, there aren't but you may want to ensure it’s safe from elements and there is some form of closure so belongings don’t fall out. We aren’t responsible for lost items.
We will do our best to adhere to the schedule below but traffic conditions may impact these times.
Drop Bag collection areas will be posted as you enter the race venue area:
50 milers can leave a drop bag for AS #5 (Adler) and/or AS #7 (Wadsworth)
50K runners can only have a drop bag at Adler
See Race course for more info.
Please mark bags with your name and AS (Wadsworth or Adler). Drop bags will be returned to the finish line area as quickly as we can. They will be available for re-claiming at the designated area (just outside the Pavilion). All unclaimed drop bags as of 12 noon on Sunday will be at the host hotel for 1-week only, then discarded.
Dude, where’s my Bag? How to get your drop bag back.
50 Milers: After finishing with your drop bag at Wadsworth (the farthest north end of the course), make sure you put your bag on the tarp labeled “Return to Start”. Because you pass thru Adler twice, the second time make sure you put your bag on the “Return to Start” tarp.
Returns From Wadsworth: ~ 2:00 pm
50K runners: Once you finish with your drop bag at Adler make sure you put your bag on the "Return to Start" tarp. Otherwise, it will be a long time before it is brought back!
Returns From Adler: ~ 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm
You are welcome to drive to aid stations and pick up your own drop bag.
Personal Bag Storage
A personal bag storage area will be located near the start/finish line. This will allow you to have an extra layer to wear before your start, or a change of clothes available at the end, or maybe a special recovery drink or meal. Look for the signs marking the location on race morning. There will be a large tarp with stakes display bib number ranges for where to place your bag. This area is not monitored so please do not leave any valuables.
*******************Timing Chips
Runners in all events (50 mile ultra, 50K, marathon and half marathon) will be using disposable chips. Those chips are glued to the back of the race bib, so as long as you've got your bib on you'll be good to go. Bibs will be in your goodie bag whether you pick them up in advance or on race morning. When you pick up your packet, make sure that the label on the back is you.
***********************************Runner Tracking
Your friends and family can track your results in real time by using our timing company’s mobile app. Runner information will not be posted on the app until we upload all the bib information (which should happen by Friday).
NOTE: This is not live gps tracking! When a runner crosses a timing mat, then those results are pushed to the website or app. Results can be delayed based on cellular service, so you may find it to lag at times. It’s not perfect.
Pacing
Pacing is NOT ALLOWED under any circumstance for runners who are not handicapped or legally blind. If you have a pacer, you will be disqualified. NO EXCEPTIONS! NO PACERS, PERIOD.
We will have a few runners that require guides. These individuals contact us and their guides sign waivers beforehand to assist.
Spectator Viewing/Crew Access/Aid Stations
If your family or friends are at the race, then maybe provide a link to this page.
The best place for 50mile, 50K and Marathon spectators/crew to go are Old School Forest Preserve at the back of parking area A and behind Adler Park School. For Half Marathoners, there are no spectator viewing areas except the Start/Finish area.
Of course, family and friends can hang out at the Start/Finish area throughout the race. Remember, they must take the shuttle to get there.
Check the website for Google map links to aid stations.
Post Race Information
Post-Race Meal
As in the past we will be serving burgers (meat and veggie), chips and cookies after you complete your race. Extra meals can be purchased for $5. This year we will also have a beer at the finish for those over 21 (non-alcoholic beer will be available too)!
**************Lost and Found
Anything left behind will go to host hotel for 1 month. You will probably want to contact the hotel front desk before heading out to see if your item is there. Please don't contact us for lost and found items.
We will be at the race venue Sunday morning so you may drive back and pick up forgotten items, return belongings that are not yours, etc. the lost and found will go to the hotel in the afternoon.
Any clothing found on the trail and not at an aid station while we were sweeping the course can be expected to be discarded. We shouldn’t be littering the trail with extra clothing as it warmed up.
Runner Results
It will take up to a week to publish results to UltraSignup as it’s a separate process, so we appreciate your patience.
Check out last years results, Here
Awards
Finisher medals and buckles are handed out as you cross the finish line. We hand out medals to those who finish the distance they registered for.
——> Please check before you leave to see if you have won an Age Group or Overall award. If you leave and forget to check, we will have an option on website to “Ship your swag” LINK ***Be sure to fill out the “LINK TO FORM” tab in the description to let us know what you need shipped.
