Childish Nonsense

APR
25
2026
Childish Nonsense is an April trail race at Deer Grove Forest Preserve with looped distances from 10K to 50 mile. Expect playful shenanigans, regular aid at the start area, and free entries for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ runners.
Sat 25 Apr 2026
50 miles 50 kilometers 25 kilometers 10 kilometers

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Event details

Childish Nonsense is a trail race held in April at Deer Grove Forest Preserve West in Palatine, Illinois. The event offers multiple distances:

  • 10K
  • 25K
  • 50K
  • 50 Mile

Runners complete the course in repeated loops. Typical lap counts listed are: 10K as one lap plus a short extra, 25K as three laps, 50K as six laps, and 50 Mile as nine laps.

Course and race format

The course is described as mostly a wide path with soft crushed gravel loops and limited technical terrain. There is a single aid station at the start/finish that is encountered about every 5.5 miles. Crews may set up only at the start/finish area; there are no other official crew access points on the course. Fifty-mile entrants may use a pacer after completing four loops. A single cutoff time applies to all distances at 8:00 pm. The event schedule includes on-course activities referred to as "shenanigans" during the day.

Policies

The organizer offers a number of free entries for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ athletes while funding lasts. The race accepts each entrant’s declared gender without requiring supporting evidence. Non-binary entrants can request pronoun or registration record updates after registering. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

50 mi
50 Miler
50 km
50k
25 km
25k
10 km
10k