Palos Park Spooky Shuffle
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About the race
Palos Park Spooky Shuffle takes place on October 17, 2026 at Swallow Cliff South Forest Preserve in Palos Park, Illinois. The event offers trail running and walking options on unpaved, mostly gravel trails that pass through ravines and hilly terrain within the Sag Valley Trail System.
Distances:
- 5K trail run/walk on an out-and-back route bypassing Horsetail Lake.
- 10K trail run with steeper inclines and declines, including sections that may have loose gravel.
Courses start from the preserve parking area and follow marked trails; routes may change based on trail conditions. The 10K includes steeper grades and is described as more technically demanding than the 5K. General cut off times are used to keep the event on schedule. A sweeper will walk the course to help ensure runners are accounted for.
Registration includes race bags with a reusable Race Day Cup as part of a sustainability initiative. Participants who register by Friday, October 2 are guaranteed their race shirt style/size, reusable cup, and finisher medal. Race shirt options include cotton and poly-blend performance "tech" styles.
Packet pick-up is available the day before at the Palos Park Recreation Center and on race day. Race day parking is at Swallow Cliff South with overflow directed to Forty Acre Woods; a quarter mile walk or shuttle connects overflow parking to the start. The event is presented by the Palos Park Department of Recreation & Parks in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The race proceeds rain or shine and staff may cancel for inclement weather; registration is non-refundable. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
