Ultra Running Hub Libertyville, IL, United States · Saturday, October 10, 2026
Fixed Distance 50 mi
Des Plaines River 50 Miles Trail Race
24 days to go
80 km Distance
165 m Climbing
4.2 Grit · Challenging
What the course asks
Climbing rate 2 m / km
Fast & Flat. This course is relatively flat and fast. Ideal for PB attempts.
Time limit 12 hours
9:00 min/km average. Comfortable. Room to walk the climbs and stop at aid. Among the tightest 50 mi cut-offs we track. Measured against 455 races of the same distance. Cut-off calculator →
Field size ~62 Mid-sized. Company early, well spread out by halfway.
DUV results for the 2025 edition (50mi) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.
Typical conditions, October
Daytime high 16°C
Night low 5°C
Rainfall Mostly dry
Daylight 11 h 23 m of light
Regional 2001-2020 average for October — NASA POWER, grid elevation 238 m. Not a forecast.
The Aid Station
Course-specific beta from the community
This is a fast & flat course. Expect fast, runnable sections where rhythm is key.
With trail terrain, choose a shoe with moderate cushioning for optimal performance.
Gear for this race
Chosen for 80 km of trail with 165 m of ascent.
- Trail Running Shoes80 km of trail — cushioning that is still there in the last quarter.
- Race Nutrition80 km of self-supported fuelling between aid stations.
- Hydration VestsFlask capacity for 80 km, without the bounce.
- HeadlampsA 12 h limit puts you out there after dark.
- GPS WatchesBattery life first — a 80 km day outlasts most full-GPS modes.
Course Notes
Crushed limestone trail through wooded landscape. Course is out-and-back with fully stocked Aid Staions every 3-6 miles.
Similar races
Other 50 mi trail ultras, closest in distance first.