Frozen Gnome
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Event overview
The Frozen Gnome is a winter trail running event in Crystal Lake, Illinois, on January 10, 2026. The event is held at Veteran Acres park, listed at 431 Walkup Road. Course terrain is single-track through Veteran Acres and Sterne’s Woods and is described by the organizer as Triple Black Diamond rated.
Distances
- 50K
- 10K
- 50K relay - 2 person
- 50K relay - 5 person
Course and logistics
The course is a 10k loop; the 50K is run as five repeats of that loop. The main aid station, called the Gnome Depot, is located at the start/finish area and offers hot food, coffee, heat, and volunteer support. Packet pickup is at the large building by the main parking lot. There are two parking lots on Walkup Road; the northern lot is smaller and closer to the start, the other is larger and a short walk away.
Entry, awards, and policies
Early bird entry fees listed by the organizer are: 50K $79, 10K $49, 2-person relay $145, 5-person relay $375. Registration closes January 1, 2026. All finishers receive a finisher medal; the event also provides a tech race shirt and a custom finisher medal (shirts are pre-ordered and size choice is tied to registration availability). Overall prizes for 1st-3rd male and female and age-group 1st place awards are noted. Bib transfers, deferrals, and rollover policies are specified by the organizer with deadlines. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
