Running in autumn is beautiful. The temperatures drop in the fall, making it an ideal time to run outside. The humidity and heat won’t cause your body extra stress. You won’t get dehydrated so quickly. All in all, your running performance might noticeably improve thanks to better weather conditions. Maintaining your goal pace may suddenly become a little easier, too, as you try to hit your next goal.
If you’re now running in the early morning hours, before getting the kids on the bus, decrease your mileage for a few week to get acquainted with the time change. If you have the opportunity to run midday, search out new paths with fall foliage.
Temperature changes can happen quickly during the fall season. Layer your clothing and plan to take off layers off as you warm up. You want to wear enough to keep you warm, but not enough to overheat. If you are running in the morning or at night, you need to consider visibility. Visibility is essential to runner’s safety, as it helps you be seen by cars and bikes. In addition to gear such as lights, reflective gear and bright colors are great ways to increase your visibility.
Avoid slipping on wet leaves with the moisture on the ground. Check the treads on your running shoes to ensure that you’ve got a stable grip.
It’s peak time for many bucket-list races. You have many to choose from here, So sign up and go! And, enjoy the delicious post-run treats and drinks, too.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
- MB Bike the Drive. Chicago. bikethedrive.org
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
- Virtual Event: Run/Walk to End Homelessness 5K and Kid’s Fun Run. (9/10-18) Chicago. asafehaven.org
- Fun Run 5K. South Holland. Southholland.org
- Itasca Oktoberfast 5K Run. Itasca. itascaoktoberfast5k.org
- Naperville Trails Half Marathon. Naperville. Allcommunityevents.com/napervilletrailshalfmarathon
- Last Chance BQ.2 Geneva. bq2races.com
- Here for LIFE Walk. Saint Charles. spsamerica.org
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s 5K Run/Walk. Glenview. act.alz.org
- 9/11 Heroes Run 5K. Chicago. 911heroesrunchicagoil.itsyourrace.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
- Glow in the Garden 5k – Rockford. Nicholasconservatory.com
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
AFSP Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk – 3-mile walk sponsored by the Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Montrose Harbor – Chicago, IL. www.chicagowalk.org/sfm www.chicagowalk.org.
LEARN MORE
- The Forge Adventure Race. Lemont. Forgeparks.com/races
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s 5K Run/Walk. Kankakee. act.alz.org
- BT5K Your Way. Chicago. abta.org/get-involved/bt5k
- Pint 1K Run. Oswego. Enjoyaurora.com
- Step It Up for Clearbrook 5K. Arlington Heights. Clearbrook.org
- Out of the Darkness Walk. Chicago. Afsp.org
- Walk for Apraxia – Frankfort. Secure.apraxia-kids.org
- North Shore Triathlon. Wilmette. trinorthshore.com
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
- Chicago Lupus Walk and Fun Run. Lincoln Park. Lupusil.org
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s 5K Run/Walk. Naperville. act.alz.org
- Fox Valley Marathon, Half Marathon and 20-Mile Race. St. Charles. fv26.com
- North Shore Century. Between Chicago and Wisconsin. evanstonbikeclub.org
- Sea Blue Run/Walk. Chicago. Zerocancer.org
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s 5K Run/Walk. St. Charles. act.alz.org
- Hustle S’More 5K and 10K Kids’ Mile. Geneva. Genevaparks.org
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
- Kid’s Triathalon. Oswego.runoswegoland.org
- Lions Run for Hope 5k. Stickney. Lionsrunforhope.org
- Chi Town Half Marathon and 10K. Chicago. allcommunityevents.com/chitownhalfmarathon10k
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
- DeKalb Corn Classic 10K and 5K Race. DeKalb. dekalbcornclassic.org
- Kids’ Triathlon. Oswego. oswegolandparkdistrict.org
- VIRTUAL Tour de Cure Ride. Anywhere. tour.diabetes.org
- Bark-a-palooza 5K Run and Rescue Fest. Lisle. Wshs-dg.org
OCTOBER
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1
Montgomery 5K & 10K River Run – USATF Certified. Portion of Proceeds to Montgomery VFW Post #7452, Montgomey Foundation and Rotary Club. Village of Montgomery, 200 North River St. raceroster.com/events/2022/61776/montgomery-river-run.
LEARN MORE
- NEDA Walk. Chicago. Nedawalk.org
- Fall Color 5K Run and Walk. Lisle. mortonarb.org
- Highlander Assault 4, 8, 12 and 24-Mile Obstacle Course Races. Holiday Hills. highlanderassault
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
Hinsdale Rotary Run Charity Classic – 3K, 5K, and 10K Run / 3K and 5K Walk, Walk ‘N Roll & Mutt Strut. CARA certified. The Community House, Hinsdale. www.rotaryruncharityclassic.com.
LEARN MORE
- Lemons of Love Pink Lemonade Zest 5k. Mt. Prospect. lemonsoflove.org
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s 5K Run/Walk. Elk Grove Village and Crystal Lake. act.alz.org
- Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk. Lake Zurich. tunnel2towers.org
- Brain Up 5K Walk/Run. Frankfort. brainup.ngo
- Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk of DuPage. Wheaton. secure.acsevents.org
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7
- NAMI Run for Mental Health 5K Run/Walk. Evanston. namiwalks.org
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8
- Abbott Chicago 5K. Chicago. chicago5k.com
- Nik’s Home Run, 7k Run, 1.5 Mile Fun Walk. Loves Park. Nikolasritschelfoundation.org
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9
- Bank of America Marathon. Chicago. chicagomarathon.com
- Chicago 10K Run. Chicago. runmfg.com
WEDENSDAY, OCTOBER 12
- Superhero 5K Pumpkin Run/Walk. Highwood. Celebratehighwood.org
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15
- Des Plaines River Trail Races. Vernon Hills. Desplainesrivertrailraces.com
- Scarecrow Scramble Nighttime 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ Race. Lisle. lislepartnersforparks.org
- Country Soul Half Marathon and 10K. Chicago. allcommunityevents.com/countrysolerun
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16
- Run with the Nuns 5K Run/Walk. Lemont. runwiththenuns.org
- Healthy Driven Naperville Half Marathon and 5K Run. Naperville. runnaperville.com
- World’s Largest Corn Maze 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ Dash. Spring Grove. allcommunityevents.com
- Light the Night Walk. Western Springs. lightthenight.org
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22
- Saw Wee Kee Spring Trail Run. Yorkville. runoswegoland.org
- Walk for Autism Speaks. Soldier Field. act.autismspeaks.org
- Komen Race for the Cure 5K. Chicago. komen.org
- Spooky Sprint. Plainfield. Plfdparks.org
- Forte 5K. Channahon. Forte5k.com
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23
- The Universal Sole Trail Challenge. Palos. universalsole.com
- Red Eye 5K Run. Joliet. jpdrun3.com
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29
- Bat Race 5K/10K. Batavia. Bataviaunitedway.org
- Halloween Hustle 5K – Palatine. Halloweenhustle.com
- Hot Cider Hustle 8 mi. and 5K. Wheaton.allcommunityevents.com/hotciderhustle
- Race to Cure Sarcoma. Wheaton. P2p.onecause.com
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30
Healthy Driven FRAIDYCAT 5K, GHOST RUN 8K & MEOW MILE. Downtown Oswego. info@oswegochamber.org. www.FRAIDYCAT5K.COM.
LEARN MORE
Moraine Valley Community College Health, Fitness & Recreation Center Halloween 5K Run/Walk at 9 AM, Kid’s Dash Race at 10:15 AM. USATF-IL certified. Family activities included! 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills. www.morainevalley.edu/fitrec.
LEARN MORE
- Sycamore Pumpkin Run 10K Road Race Sycamore. pumpkinrunsycamore.com
- Haunted Oak 5K. Homer Glen. hauntedoak5k.com
- Day of the Dead Family 5K Run/Walk. Heritage Park. Wheelingparkdistrict.com
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