Candy Cane Course- Greater Chicago

Candy Cane Course- Greater Chicago takes place in Darien, Illinois on December 12, 2026, with a Christmas theme and a lineup built for families. All five distances go off at 9:00 a.m.: 15K (9.3 miles), 10K, 5K, a one-mile run, and a Kids Dash for the youngest runners. Registration includes a branded tee and a personalized medal, and the timed races are electronically scored with live results, plus free photos and treats at the finish. Youth pricing is available, special entry packages cover the different events including the kids' race, and a virtual option exists if you'd rather run it on your own. Register early to be sure you receive everything.

Run on the road in the middle of a Chicago-area December, this is a good excuse to keep training through the cold months rather than shut it down. If you're new to racing, the 5K is a manageable first target; if you already have a base, the 15K gives you 9.3 miles of honest pacing practice ahead of a spring half marathon. A six-week block with one long run each weekend and a couple of relaxed easy days between harder sessions will get you to the line ready to race.