Today's Hours
Trail runs, MTB races and other competitions will be held during Forge Fest, The Forge’s anniversary festival that includes live music, activities, and fireworks. Athletes will simply pay one universal entry fee and may compete in as many of the races & competitions throughout The Forge Fest weekend as they choose.
Friday July 14, Saturday July 15 and Sunday July 16, 2023
Do it all at The Forge! These unique Forge Fest Races offer a range of competitions to both competitive and recreational athletes of all abilities. Throughout The Forge Fest weekend (July 14th-16th), we invite you to get your competition fix with mountain biking, trail running, paddling, climbing, and more in various formats and distances. When you're not competing, stick around and enjoy all the happenings of Forge Fest!
Athletes will simply pay one universal entry fee that allows them to choose and compete in as many of the races and competitions throughout The Forge Fest weekend as each event’s capacity allows. Registration for each competition is on a first come, first serve basis.
Races and Competitions will include:
Friday July 14:
Short Course Twilight MTB Race (~10 miles)
6:00 PM
This short course, MTB race will ride through a mix of flat gravel and single-track trails, with variable terrain, throughout The Forge and adjoining trail system. The final distance of the course will be in the 10-mile range as a multi-loop course with a mass start.
Timing chips are required for riders who would like to be eligible for awards and official results. Registration guarantees access to races, additional competitions are on a first come first serve basis.
Night Trail Run (3+ miles)
8:30 PM
Grab your headlamp and race on our flat gravel and single-track trails within the woods in a 1-lap, approximately 3+ mile course. The course will start and finish at race HQ, with runners experiencing variable terrain single track trails with dirt, rocks, roots and maybe even some mud.
Timing chips are required to be eligible for awards and official results. Registration guarantees access to races, additional competitions are on a first come first serve basis.
Saturday July 15:
10-Mile Trail Run
7:30 AM
Take on the challenge of an approximated 10-mile trail run and experience a mix of challenges and great scenery throughout our trail system. This course will start and finish at race HQ, with runners experiencing a mix of our flat gravel trails and single-track trails in the woods with dirt, rocks, roots and maybe even some mud.
Timing chips are required for riders who would like to be eligible for awards and official results. Registration guarantees access to races, additional competitions are on a first come first serve basis.
Long Course MTB Race (15+ Miles)
12:00 PM (Noon)
This long course, MTB race will ride through a mix of flat gravel and single-track trails, with variable terrain, throughout The Forge and adjoining trail system. The final distance of the course will be in the 15 +/- mile range as a multi-loop course with a mass start.
Timing chips are required for riders who would like to be eligible for awards and official results. Registration guarantees access to races, additional competitions are on a first come first serve basis.
Kayak Race (distance TBA)
Time TBA
Take on this upper body challenge! Put your rowing skills to the test in our unique Kayak Race through the mostly still waters of The Forge Quarry. This event is open to everyone from boating beginners to paddle professionals!
Pump Track Time Trials
Time TBA
Attention BMX Riders! How quickly can you blaze through our rollers and berms? These time trials will be your full sprint over the obstacles of our Pump Track! Whether this is your first BMX time trial or your thousandth, we welcome all riders who are up for the challenge.
West X Climbing Time Trials
Time TBA
Set a record on the infamous Forge rock wall! We all know that feeling, when you're standing at the bottom of a rock wall and thinking to yourself "my [imaginary] timer starts the second I touch that first rock". So find out how fast that adrenaline gets you to the top!
Sunday July 16:
10K Trail Run
8:30 AM
Experience an approximated 10k (6.2 + / - miles) trail run with a great mix of challenges and scenery throughout our trail system. The 10Kish course will start and finish at race HQ, with runners experiencing a mix of our flat gravel trails and single-track trails in the woods with dirt, rocks, roots and maybe even some mud.
Timing chips are required for riders who would like to be eligible for awards and official results. Registration guarantees access to races, additional competitions are on a first come first serve basis.
Drop-In Time Trials
Time TBA
Get down & dirty at The Forge MTB Drop-In Time Trials! If you've ridden our drop-in, you know the serious twists and turns that make up the Drop-In. It'll be a great day to set a Personal Record or a benchmark to grow from.
Hex 3 Ropes Course Time Trials
Time TBA
"What's Hex 3?" Only the most difficult & challenging climbing tower that we have! If you thought the other towers were hard, these obstacles will truly put your muscles, balance, endurance, and speed to the test. Harness in and get ready to climb!
Archery High Score Competition
Time TBA
Bullseye! Draw your bow and check your aim in our Archery High Score Competition. The Archery High Score Competition focuses on challenging competitors' hand-eye coordination. Do you have what it takes to lock-in on target and score the highest? There's only one way to find out!
Axe Throwing High Score Competition
Time TBA
Bullseye! Send an axe sailing through the air and see how accurately you can nail a bullseye every time. The Axe Throwing High Score Competition focuses on challenging competitors' hand-eye coordination. Do you have what it takes to lock-in on target and score the highest? There's only one way to find out!
Competitions that will include electronic / chip timing:
Course maps for each event will be released prior to race weekend.
Register
Pick Your Competitions & Races
Pick Up Your Stuff
Get to the Start Line On Time
Ready, Set, Go!
Registration is an All Access Pass: Athletes will simply pay one universal entry fee that serves as a pass that will allow them to choose and compete in as many of the races and competitions throughout The Forge Fest weekend as each event’s capacity allows. Registration for each competition is on a first come, first serve basis.
Tier 1 (Until Wednesday, July 12)
$45 per person
Tier 2 (Thursday, July 13 - Sunday, July 16 )
$50 per person
Race Entry Fees Includes:
Check out Multisport Mastery’s videos and join The Forge Race Series group on Facebook for opportunities to join us for open water swims, training runs and training programs conducted by Coach Liz Waterstraat / Multisport Mastery.
coming soon
On Race Day, we encourage carpooling. The Forge has adequate parking, but the race staff, volunteers, spectators and Forge Fest activities will maximize the use of our parking lots. Please follow signs and volunteers directing you to parking. Athletes can also park in the lots on the north side of the I&M Canal, which are a short distance to race HQ, or use the remote parking as directed. The remote lots will have shuttles available to the main park entrance. We recommend local residents walk or bike to the event.
Please take this into account so that you are able to make it to the start line on time.
Common Start & Finish Area
All trail run and MTB races will be based at the race headquarters (HQ) located in the campground located directly adjacent to Parking Lot #2. This is on the north side of the I&M Canal across the bridge from the east end of The Forge / Zipline landing area. However, some competitions and time trials will take place in the park as indicated in their descriptions.
This area will be for packet pick-up, the common start / finish line and awards area for all races.
Packet Pick-Up and Onsite Registration will be available at the following.
Thursday July 13
Noon - 8:00 PM
Race Headquarters Adjacent to Parking Lot #2
Friday July 14
(Race Day #1)
Noon - 8:00 PM
Race Headquarters Adjacent to Parking Lot #2
Saturday July 15
(Race Day #2)
6:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Race Headquarters Adjacent to Parking Lot #2
Sunday July 16
(Race Day #3)
7:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Race Headquarters Adjacent to Parking Lot #2
Friday 7/14:
Saturday 7/15:
Sunday 7/16:
All athletes and spectators are encouraged to stay at The Forge after the races for Forge Fest activities, food and beverage, concerts, and fireworks. Food and beverage will be available for purchase and the activities at The Forge will be open.
2023 Results coming soon
Awards will be the following in each Trail Run and Cycling event:
Awards will be available for pick-up at race HQ after the race is completed and results are finalized.
coming soon
Interested in volunteering? We would love to have you!
sign-up coming soon
The Forge: Lemont Quarries
Email us at [email protected] for a response within 48 hours
