The Forge: Lemont Quarries Announces 2023 Race Schedule

LEMONT, IL — The Forge: Lemont Quarries has announced several races for 2023 at the outdoor adventure park. The races will be held throughout The Forge and the adjoining trails at the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area and I&M trails.

The first race, The Forge Fat Tire Bike Race, will be held Jan. 14, according to the park. The race will be held in partnership with The Bike Hub.

Cyclists can experience the wintry trails throughout The Forge and adjoining trails. There will be a long and short course option for riders. Registration for this race is already open.

On March 18, The Forge Trail Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon will return for its second year, with the addition of the quarter marathon. Races will traverse gravel trails throughout The Forge:
Lemont Quarries and adjoining Heritage Quarries Recreation Area and I&M Canal trails. Registration is also open for this race.

Summer will bring even more races to The Forge. On July 14-16, the park will introduce a new series of mountain bike races, trail-run races and other competitions during Forgefest, the park's anniversary festival. There will also be live music, activities, fireworks and more. Athletes will simply pay one universal entry fee to compete in as many of the
events throughout the Forgefest weekend as they choose, according to the park. No registration is available yet.

On July 22, The Forge Off-Road Triathlon, in partnership with Multisport Mastery, will return for the third year. The short-course, multi-sport event offers a swim in the Forge Quarry, and a bike and run on the gravel trails. This year, The Forge will introduce a relay option and Aquathon (swim and bike) event.

In the fall, The Forge Fall Cooldown MTB Race will return on Oct. 14. The mountain bike race will take place on the single-track trails throughout the park. There are two race distances offered; one longer, more advanced course, and another shorter, less technical course, according to the park.

The last announced race will be held Nov. 4, and is brand-new for 2023. The Forge Trail Run Festival will offer a series of short, mid, long and ultra-distance events. These races will be run throughout the day, utilizing the many miles of gravel, single-track trails in and near The Forge, with multi-lap courses utilized for the various distances, the park said.

The park will also offer training programs for 2023 races, such as coached open water swims leading up to the Triathlon in July.