Des Plaines River Trail Marathon
Libertyville, United States of America · Saturday 10 October 2026
The Des Plaines River Trail Marathon is held annually in Lake County, Illinois, primarily utilizing the Des Plaines River Trail, a multi-use trail north of Chicago. Starting and finishing at Half Day Forest Preserve, the course follows an out-and-back format along the northern segment of the trail. The surface consists of fine crushed limestone, which remains flat, wide, and free of roots and rocks throughout the race. The course was re-certified in 2023 and is marked for easy navigation.
Difficulty Calculator
h
:m
:s
Adjusted Time
4:35:23
Time difference: +35.4 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain144m
Elevation High220m
Elevation Low195m
Weather Forecast
High17°C
Low9°C
Chance of Rain2%
How hard is Des Plaines River Trail Marathon?
Very Difficultharder than 88% of marathons
Flattest / easiestHardest
On our difficulty model, Des Plaines River Trail Marathon plays about 37 minutes slower than an average road marathon for a 3:30 runner. It ranks #133 hardest of 1150 marathons we analyse, and #70 of 575 in United States of America. Use the calculator above to see the exact adjusted time for your own goal pace.
What will you run at Des Plaines River Trail Marathon?
Estimated finish times on this course versus the same effort on an average road marathon, based on its elevation, surface, and expected race-day temperature.
| Average-course time | On Des Plaines River Trail Marathon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00:00 | 3:28:35 | +28:35 |
| 3:30:00 | 4:02:08 | +32:08 |
| 4:00:00 | 4:35:23 | +35:23 |
| 4:30:00 | 5:08:25 | +38:25 |
| 5:00:00 | 5:41:19 | +41:19 |
| 5:30:00 | 6:14:06 | +44:06 |
| 6:00:00 | 6:46:48 | +46:48 |
Use the calculator above for your exact goal time. Want a prediction from your own training? Try the marathon time predictor.
Des Plaines River Trail Marathon 2026 Course Analysis
Des Plaines River Trail Marathon is a full marathon held in Libertyville, United States of America. It is scheduled for Saturday 10 October 2026. The course is run on trail surface with 144m of total climbing, with its high point near 220m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Des Plaines River Trail Marathon website.
Elevation Profile
With 144m of total climbing, this is a gently undulating course. The elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't greatly affect your pacing.
Expected Race Day Weather
Based on historical weather data for October, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Near-ideal running temperatures are expected, ranging from 9°C to 17°C. This temperature range is widely considered optimal for marathon performance, allowing efficient heat dissipation without cold-related issues. There is a low chance of rain (2%), so dry conditions are likely.
Surface Type: Trail
Des Plaines River Trail Marathon is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are usually slower than the road equivalent - often by 10-20% - because of uneven footing, technical sections, and frequently steeper gradients, though a smooth, non-technical or downhill trail can run faster than that suggests. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Des Plaines River Trail Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
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