About
The Chicago Racing Circuit by CARA provides a competitive structure and recognition for Chicagoland runners and clubs. The Circuit annually honors Chicagoland’s top runners and clubs with Runner of the Year and Club Champion titles. Comprised of various race distances, the Chicago Racing Circuit provides all runners - both recreational and competitive - with the opportunity to chase personal, club, and competitive goals.
To learn more about eligibility for individual and team awards, please see Scoring (above).
Circuit Schedule (2024)
The Circuit features Chicagoland’s most well organized and well-appreciated races. Circuit races are found in both the city and suburbs and include both major world-class events and local club races alike. Circuit races are annually assembled with the input of CARA’s membership, the CARA Racing Committee, the CARA staff, and CARA Board of Directors.
Schedule Notes:
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When races offer multiple distances, only the specific distance listed in the schedule below counts for Circuit scoring.
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Only in-person races and in-person registration options are included in the Circuit.
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Circuit runners are encouraged to register immediately early for any Circuit races they intend to participate in. Once races fill to capacity, CARA does not have the ability to force Circuit races to allow additional Circuit runners into an event.
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Meet the Teams
Division I
CARA Racing Team, DWRunning, Elnhurst Running Club, Fleet Feet x New Balance Racing Team, Nameless Track Club, Naperville Running Company Track Club, Oak Park Runners Club, Venados, Windrunners Chicago, Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing Team
Division II
CARA Run Crew, Elmhurst Running Club, Lake Shore Racing Club, Oiselle Volée, Track & Trough Athletic Club, UNFRGVN
DWRunning
Location
Chicago & Suburbs
Joined
Rejoined 2023
Sponsors
Tracksmith
Naperville Running Co.
Categories
Division I:
Open Men, Open Women, Master Men, Master Women
Club Type
All Abilities, Limited Roster
More Info
dwrunning.com instagram.com/dwrunning1
Cost to Join
Monthly Membership Fee
Notes
5x Olympic Trials Qualifiers
Evanston Running Club
Location
Evanston, IL
Joined
1981- Founding Member
Categories
Division I:
All Age Group Categories
Club Type
Community Team- All runners welcome, unlimited roster spots
More Info
Cost to Join
Annual Membership Fee
Notes
Founded in 1973, RRCA Member
Oak Park Runners Club
Location
Oak Park, IL
Categories
Division I:
All Age Group Categories
Club Type
Community Team- All Runners welcome, unlimited roster spots
More Info
Cost to Join
Annual Membership Fee
UNFRGVN
Location
Chicago/New York
Joined
2023
Categories
Division II:
Master Men, Master Women
Club Type
Community- All runners welcome, unlimited roster spots
More Info
Contact
Cost to Join
Free Membership
Notes
Athletes have been represented in 20+ states, 4 countries, and 4 USATF National Championships
Lake Shore Racing Club
Location
Chicago, IL
Joined
2022
Categories
Division II:
All Age Group Categories
Club Type
Community Team- All runners welcome, unlimited roster spots
More Info
Contact
Cost to Join
Free Club Membership
Xtra Mile Fast Track Racing Team
Location
Schaumburg, IL
Joined
2009
Sponsors
Xtra Mile Running Co.
Categories
Division I:
All Age Group Categories
Club Type
Community Team- All runners welcome, unlimited roster spots
More Info
instagram.com/fasttrackracingteam
Cost to Join
Annual Club Membership Fee
CARA Racing Team
Location
Chicago
Joined
2024
Sponsors
PUMA
Categories
Division I
Open Men, Open Women, Master Men, Master Women
Club Type
Elite Team- Application Required, Limited Roster
Contact
More Info
Cost to Join
Monthly Membership Fee
Nameless Track Club
Location
Chicago, IL
Joined
2024
Sponsors
Nike
Categories
Division I:
Open Men & Open Women
Club Type
Elite Team- Limited Roster
More Info
Notes
4x US Olympic Trials Qualifiers (Marathon 2024)
1x Olympian (Marathon 2016)
Oiselle Volée
Location
Chicago, IL
Joined
2024 (rejoined)
Categories:
Division II:
Open Women
Club Type
Community Team- All Runners welcome, unlimited roster spots
Contact Info
Instagram: @oisellevolee_il
More Info
https://www.oiselle.com/pages/volee-team
Cost to Join
Annual Membership Fee
Track & Trough Athletic Union
Location
North Side, Chicago
Joined
2011
Categories
Division II:
Open Men, Open Women, Master Men, Master Women
Club Type
Community Team- All runners welcome, unlimited roster spots
More Info
Track & Trough Athletic Union Facebook Page
Cost to Join
Free Club Membership
Elmhurst Running Club
Location
Elmhurst, IL
Categories
Division I:
Open Men, All Around
Division II:
Open Women
Club Type
Community Team- All runners welcome, unlimited roster spots
More Info
CARA Run Crew
Location
Chicago & Suburbs
Joined
2021
Categories
Division II:
All Age Group Categories
Club Type:
Community Team- All Runners welcome, unlimited roster spots
Contact:
Cost to Join:
Free Club Membership
Naperville Running Company Track Club
Location
Naperville, IL
Joined
2024
Categories
Division I:
All Age Group Categories
Club Type
Community Team- All runners welcome, unlimited roster sports
Contact
More info
runningcompany.com/nrc-track-club/
Cost to Join
Annual Membership Fee
Venados
Location
Pilsen, Chicago
Joined
2023
Categories
Division I:
Open Men
Club Type
Offers both a "community" and "elite" team
More Info
Cost to Join
Free Club Membership
Notes
Founded in 1981 in the Pilsen Neighborhood of Chicago. Runners of all levels are welcome!
Fleet Feet x New Balance Racing Team
Location
Chicago, IL
Sponsors
New Balance
Categories
Division I:
All Age Group Categories
More Info
fleetfeet.com/s/chicago/racingteam
Contact
Windrunners Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Joined
2024
Sponsors
Nike
Edge Athlete Lounge
Categories
Division I:
Open Women
Club Type
Elite Team- Limited Roster
More Info
Instagram: @windrunnerschi
Awards Party
The Chicago Racing Circuit Awards Party for 2024 will be held February 22, 2025 at Good Times Brewery. We will honor top performers and recognize CARA Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Award inductees. Ticket information to come. Click Here for more details.
Hall of Fame
Runners are inducted to the CARA Hall of Fame through long-standing success in the Chicago Racing Circuit. Each year award winners are given five points for first place finishes in age-group and/or Clydesdale/Athena categories. Three points are awarded for a second-place finish, and 1 point for a third-place finish. Once a runner has earned 30 total points they are inducted into the Hall of Fame. Runners can earn points in both age-group or Clydesdale/Athena categories simultaneously. However, 30 points must be reached in solely one of the categories, not a combination of the two.
Awards History
Chicago Racing Circuit Community
Runners are encouraged to engage with fellow Circuit runners, and stay connected with latest news on our Chicago Racing Circuit Facebook Group and Chicago Racing Circuit Strava Club
CARA Racing Committee
The CARA Racing Committee, in collaboration with CARA staff, leads the CARA Circuit and represents participating local running clubs.
Erika Edmonson
Committee Chair
Nick Bensen
Committee Member
Brett Geschke
Committee Member
Scott Mangum
Committee Member
Steven Levine
Committee Member
Doug Pearson
Committee Member
Brian Sweney
Committee Member
Chris Willis
Committee Member
Angelica Guerrero
Committee Member
Erica Agran
Committee Member