FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CHICAGO – The Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) announces the selections for the 2025 Chicago Racing Circuit. Since 1979 the Circuit has provided the local running community with a competitive structure and recognition for area runners and clubs. Last year the Circuit featured 17 different teams and over 200 of the area's top age group runners who completed at least five races. Once again 15 races throughout the city and suburbs will be featured on the Circuit in 2025.
New Races in 2025:
The March Madness Half Marathon, which will officially kick off the season on March 16, returns and gives the Circuit three different half marathons to race this year. Additionally, the 29th annual Ravenswood Run 5K presented by Fleet Feet + Altra proudly returns to the CARA Circuit for the first time since 2019 on April 27, 2025. For over a quarter century, the family-friendly 5K and Kids' Races has given runners and walkers a chance to experience the charms this pocket of the city possesses. The event raises funds for Ravenswood Community Services' Food Pantry and Community Kitchen, a staple in the community that provides meals and groceries to neighbors in need.
Another notable change to the 2025 Circuit schedule is Race Against Hate 5K switching to the 10K distance. The switch to 10K will provide runners a second chance to compete at the distance after CARA's Spring Trail Chase 10K.
2025 Chicago Racing Circuit Schedule
Sunday, March 16 - March Madness Half Marathon (Cary)
Sunday, March 23 - Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K (Chicago)
Sunday, April 6 - The Good Life Race 5K (Oak Park)
Sunday, April 13 - CARA’s Lakefront 10 Miler (Chicago)
Sunday, April 27 - Ravenswood 5K (Chicago)
Sunday, May 18 - Spring Trail Chase 10K (Lemont)
Sunday, June 1 - Bank of America Chicago 13.1 (Chicago)
Sunday, June 15 - Ricky Byrdsong Race Against Hate 10K (Evanston)
Friday, July 4 - Elmhurst Running Club’s 4 on the 4th (Elmhurst)
Saturday, July 19 - PUMA's Chi-Town Miles 1 Mile (Chicago)
Sunday, August 17 - Alpine races 10 Mile (Lake Zurich)
Saturday, September 6 - Hidden Gem Half Marathon (Flossmoor)
Sunday, October 12 - Bank of America Chicago Marathon (Chicago)
Saturday, October 25 - Lake Bluff PTO Pumpkin Chase 5K (Lake Bluff)
Sunday, November 9 - Fast Track Cross Country 3 Mile (Schaumburg)
Scoring
Illinois runners are automatically tracked and scored as they complete Circuit Races. However, participants in the Clydesdale/Athena categories must register separately HERE. To qualify for awards, all runners must hold a CARA Supporter Level membership by July 1st.
Runners can earn the CARA Racing Award by:
Completing three CARA races: Miles Per Hour, Lakefront 10 Miler or 5K, Spring Trail Chase 10K, or PUMA's Chi-Town Miles, or
Completing five Circuit Races.
Runners can also compete for awards in age group, age graded, overall, and team categories. New for 2025, the minimum number of Circuit Races required to qualify for individual awards has been reduced from five to three for runners aged 80 and older. The three-race minimum also remains in effect for runners aged 19 and younger.
Also new for 2025, ties for overall, non-binary/genderqueer, and age-group categories will be broken with head-to-head results of the tied runners, and if a tie remains, it will be broken by percentage margin of victory in head-to-head results of the tied competitors.
To learn more about the Chicago Racing Circuit and how to get involved, visit cararuns.org/circuit