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Chicagoland MTB, trail runs, climbing, axe throwing, archery, and paddlesports competitions

Forge Fest Races

Forge Fest Races

July 14th - July 16th, 2023

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.

Details

Date:
July 14th - July 16th, 2023
Price:
$45 (Tier 1) / $50 (Tier 2)

Race Information

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.

Course Information

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!

  • All Paddlesports safety requirements apply
  • More info coming soon

 

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.

  • Must bring your own bike & wear your helmet
  • All Pump Track safety requirements apply
  • More info coming soon

 

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!

  • Route TBD
  • All Climbing safety requirements apply
  • More info coming soon

 

 

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.

  • Must bring your own bike & wear your helmet
  • All Pump Track safety requirements apply
  • More info coming soon

 

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!

  • All Climbing safety requirements apply
  • More details coming soon

 

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!

  • All Archery safety requirements apply
  • More details coming soon

 

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!

  • All Axe Throwing safety requirements apply
  • More info coming soon

 

Competitions that will include electronic / chip timing:

  • Short Course Twilight MTB Race
  • Night Trail Run
  • 10 Mile Trail Run
  • Long Course MTB Race
  • 10K Trail Run

Course Maps

Course maps for each event will be released prior to race weekend.

How Does It Work?

Register

  • Register online before race day(s) or on-site during Packet Pick-Up / Registration times
  • You only need to register once - your registration is universal and includes access to any races and competitions throughout the weekend as each event’s capacity allows.

Pick Your Competitions & Races

  • Decide which races and competitions you want to compete in. 
  • You may compete in as many as you would like.
  • All races and competitions are first come first serve, we recommend participants arrive early and/or sign up ahead of time for to guarantee their spot to any specific race or competition. 

Pick Up Your Stuff

  • Pick up your packet (race wristband, bib # and t-shirt) at Race HQ during scheduled PPU times before your first event.
  • Your bib number / timing chip is for any electronically-timed race that you compete in, so keep it for the entire weekend until you have completed your last competition. 

Get to the Start Line On Time

  • Arrive at the start line for each event that you want to do at least 30 minutes before the start time.  

Ready, Set, Go!

  • Each race will start at the designated time.

Registration

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: 

  • access to any and all Forge Fest Races and Competitions
  • meticulously maintained trails unique to The Forge
  • electronically timed results for the trail run and MTB events
  • earned 1st - 3rd overall male and female awards for each event
  • a cool Forge Fest race t-shirt
  • discounts for food and beverage and activities at The Forge

Training

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.  

Join The Forge Race Series Facebook Group.

Athletes' Guide

coming soon

Directions

Use these directions to The Forge for PPU and Race Day.

Parking

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.

 

Parking Map

Race Headquarters

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.

   

Park Map

Packet Pick-Up & Registration

Packet Pick-Up and Onsite Registration will be available at the following.

 

Thursday July 13 

Noon -  8:00  PM

The Forge: Lemont Quarries

Race Headquarters Adjacent to Parking Lot #2

Use These Directions

 

Friday July 14

(Race Day #1)

Noon -  8:00  PM

The Forge: Lemont Quarries

Race Headquarters Adjacent to Parking Lot #2

Use These Directions

 

Saturday July 15

(Race Day #2)

6:30 AM  -  5:00  PM

The Forge: Lemont Quarries

Race Headquarters Adjacent to Parking Lot #2

Use These Directions

 

Sunday July 16

(Race Day #3)

7:30 AM  -  11:00  AM

The Forge: Lemont Quarries

Race Headquarters Adjacent to Parking Lot #2

Use These Directions

Race Day Schedule

Friday 7/14:

  • Noon - 8:00 PM –  Packet Pick-Up @ Race HQ
  • 6:00 PM –               Short Course MTB Race Start
  • 8:30 PM –               Night Trail Race Start
  • Competitions schedule coming soon!

 

Saturday 7/15:

  • 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM – Packet Pick-Up @ Race HQ
  • 7:30 AM –                     10 Mile Trail Race Start 
  • 12:00 PM –                   Long Course MTB Bike Race Start
  • Competitions schedule coming soon!

 

Sunday 7/16:

  • 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM – Packet Pick-Up @ Race HQ
  • 8:30 AM –                     10K Trail Race Start 
  • Competitions schedule coming soon!

 

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. 

Results

2023 Results coming soon

Awards

Awards will be the following in each Trail Run and Cycling event:

  • 1st – 3rd Overall Male and Female

Awards will be available for pick-up at race HQ after the race is completed and results are finalized.

Race Photos & Video

coming soon

Volunteering

Interested in volunteering? We would love to have you!

 

sign-up coming soon

 

Sponsors and Partners

For Sponsorship and Partnership information, please contact Brad Donati

Questions? | Contact:

The Forge: Lemont Quarries

Schedule a call with us

Email us at [email protected] for a response within 48 hours

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