The Forge: Lemont Quarries Announces 2022 Race Series

LEMONT, IL — The Forge: Lemont Quarries has announced its 2022 race series, which includes race events that are for people of all abilities, the business said in a news release. The series will include bike, trail run, multi-sport and adventure events, along with a partnership with the Chicago Area Runners Association to conduct races at the park.

The first race in the series will be held Jan. 15. The Forge Fat Tire Bike Race & Tour, in partnership with The Bike Hub, will be the first fat tire race in the Chicagoland area, the park said in a release. Winter cycling enthusiasts can head out on the wintry trails throughout the park and adjoining Heritage Quarries Recreation Area and I&M Canal trails.

A tour option is also being offered as an untimed non-competitive event that allows riders to casually tour the trails at their own pace, the park said.

Next, will be The Forge Trail Half Marathon on March 19. The race will take place on the gravel/crushed limestone and single track mountain bike trails throughout the park and the adjoining trails, the park said.

The series will continue in the summer, with The Forge Off Road Triathlon, in partnership with Multisport Master, which will be held on July 23. The Off Road Triathlon is a unique short course multi-sport event that is for triathletes of all abilities, including beginners to professionals, the park said.

The course takes place in The Forge Quarry for the swim portion, and bikes and runs through the trails within the park and the adjoining trails of the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area and I&M Trails, according to the park.

Other planned events in the series include an Adventure Race on Sept. 17 and a fun fall themed 4-mile run on Nov. 12. The park said that these events are being planned and details will be announced in early January.

The Forge is also in the early planning stages for several other events and partnering with CARA for their Trail Chase series. CARA will conduct a 10K race at the park on May 21, and a 5K on Aug. 21. CARA will announce details on these events soon, the park said.

The Fat Tire Race & Tour, Trail Half Marathon and Triathlon are open now for registration.

For more news and information like this, subscribe to the Lemont Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. Don't forget to like us on Facebook!