Frozen Gnome
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Event overview
Frozen Gnome takes place on January 10, 2026 in Crystal Lake, Illinois at Veteran Acres and Sterne’s Woods. The event offers multiple ways to participate, including individual runs and team relays. The course uses single-track trails through the park and is rated Triple Black Diamond.
- 50K
- 10K
- 50K relay - 2 person
- 50K relay - 5 person
Course and logistics
The course is a 10k loop; 50K entrants complete five laps of the loop. The main aid station, called the Gnome Depot, provides hot food, coffee, heat, and volunteers. Relay team exchanges must be made at the main aid station and involve passing a timing chip. Each relay team member must register separately; the relay cannot be entered by a solo runner. There are two parking lots on Walkup Road; the northern lot is closer to the start and smaller. Packet pickup is at the large building by the main parking lot.
Registration may fill and a waitlist will open. Early bird pricing is listed as: 50K $79, 10K $49, 2 person relay $145, 5 person relay $375. Price increases are scheduled for 9/15/2025, 12/1/2025, and 12/30/2025. Registration closes January 3, 2026.
Awards and race items
All finishers receive a finisher medal and a tech race shirt. Prizes are listed for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall male and female, and age group awards are given for 1st place. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
