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Pine Pacer Challenge

Kick off the new year with a monthlong winter running and walking challenge.

Content Detail

Take on the Pine Pacer Challenge and start the new year with a commitment to health and fitness. Participants will select a running or walking goal of 25, 50, 75, or 100 miles and log miles throughout the month of January.

Complete your miles at the Arboretum, in your neighborhood, on a treadmill, or anywhere else you like to run and walk. Then log your miles on the Arboretum’s virtual challenge website.

No matter when or where you run or walk, your participation supports the Arboretum’s vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

Highlights

Registration in the Pine Pacer Challenge includes a branded race apparel item.

As a participant, you will receive a digital badge for every completed challenge and a Pine Pacer Challenge completion sticker for reaching your overall mileage goal.

Challenge participants who are not Arboretum members enjoy complimentary admission for the duration of the challenge and savings of $10 on a new Arboretum membership (Individual, Dual, and Household levels).

Registration

Registration for the Pine Pacer Challenge is now open.

Register online for the Pine Pacer Challenge.

Cost: $65
Member cost: $55

Registration closes on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.

 

Your registration helps support the Arboretum’s vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

Highlights

Pine Pacer Challenge Race Apparel

All participants will receive a race apparel item with the Pine Pace Challenge logo.

Complimentary Admission

Participants receive complimentary admission to the Arboretum from Thursday, January 1, through Saturday, January 31, 2026.

New Membership Discount

Challenge participants who are not Arboretum members enjoy complimentary admission for the duration of the challenge and savings of $10 on a new Arboretum membership (Individual, Dual, and Household levels).

Awards

Participants will receive a digital badge for every completed challenge and a Pine Pacer Challenge completion sticker for reaching their overall mileage goal.

Arboretum Walking and Running Routes

Participants may access specially designed routes via the Strava app to complete Pine Pacer Challenge miles amid the Arboretum’s beautiful, tree-filled landscapes.

Registration

Registration for the Pine Pacer Challenge is now open.

Register online for the Pine Pacer Challenge.

Cost: $65
Member cost: $55

Registration closes on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.

Pine Pacer Challenge participants must select walking or running while registering, based on the predominant method they will use to accomplish their mileage goals. For example, runners are allowed to include tracked walking miles, but the majority of miles submitted should be completed while running.

Participants who are not members receive complimentary admission to the Arboretum from Thursday, January 1, through Saturday, January 31, 2026. Members may use their membership benefits to enter the Arboretum and complete challenge miles at any time during open hours without purchasing general admission.

For questions about registration or for help with the RunSignUp platform, please email races@mortonarb.org.

Packet Pickup

Race packets include a Chronotrack race bib, safety pins, and Pine Pacer Challenge apparel (if purchased). Packets can be picked up during the Packet Pickup Coffee Social at The Morton Arboretum or at Dick Pond Athletics in Lisle, IL.

Packet Pickup Coffee Social

Pick up your race packet during a coffee social event on Saturday, January 17, from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the Sycamore Room, located in the West Pavilion of the Visitor Center. Enjoy complimentary coffee and hot chocolate while connecting with other runners and Pine Pacer Challenge participants.

Packet Pickup at Dick Pond Athletics

Race packets are also available to pick up at Dick Pond Athletics at 2775 Maple Ave, Lisle, IL from Sunday, January 18, through Sunday, February 1. Stop by during regular store hours to pick up your packet.

Arboretum Walking and Running Routes

Visit The Morton Arboretum and follow specially designed routes to complete your Pine Pacer Challenge miles amid beautiful, tree-filled landscapes. You can find walking and running routes with the Strava mobile app or by following signage on-site at the Arboretum.

All paved roads and wood-chipped hiking trails are accessible to walkers. Running is not permitted on wood-chipped hiking trails and must be done on paved roads. Please walk and run on roads against the direction of car traffic.

Finding Routes on Strava

Participants may find it helpful to use Strava, a premier fitness app that makes it easy to track miles and discover running and walking routes at the Arboretum. See Log Your Miles to learn more about using Strava during the challenge.

Follow the Pine Pacer Challenge profile on Strava to see suggested running and walking routes at the Arboretum.

Finding Routes at the Arboretum

Look for signage along trails and roads that identify the start and end of each route. Pine Pacer Challenge maps will not be available from the Visitor Center, so please follow the directions in the participant email to locate routes on the Arboretum grounds.

Log Your Miles

Pine Pacer Challenge participants log their miles online via the RunSignup platform. There, progress toward your mileage goal will display on a leaderboard that is updated in real time throughout the challenge.

Participants can complete their miles anywhere they like, but are encouraged to do so on-site at the Arboretum. All paved roads and wood-chipped hiking trails are accessible to walkers. Running is not permitted on wood-chipped hiking trails and must be done on paved roads. Please walk and run on roads against the direction of car traffic. The Main Route totals nine miles and runs through the East Side and the West Side of the Arboretum.

Track Miles and Find Routes with Strava

Participants may find it helpful to use Strava, a fitness app that can track mileage on an iPhone or Android using smartphone data, a GPS-supported smartwatch, or a head unit. Please note that mileage tracked on the Strava app is not automatically logged on the Pine Pacer Challenge RunSignup platform. The Strava leaderboard will not be used for the final challenge results. Challenge participants are not required to download the app.

In addition, The Morton Arboretum uses Strava to share enjoyable running and walking routes on Arboretum grounds. Weekly emails to participants will include suggested routes and information about route accessibility, length, terrain, and elevation.

Follow the Pine Pacer Challenge profile on Strava to see suggested running and walking routes at the Arboretum.

Accordion List

  • The Morton Arboretum is not affiliated with Strava. It is a premier mobile app for runners and a valuable tool to help participants track and discover new routes. If you are interested in downloading the app as a new user, please do your own research before purchasing a subscription.

  • Yes. Strava is an optional tool that is not necessary to complete the challenge.

  • Strava will not automatically log your miles on the Pine Pacer Challenge RunSignup platform. Miles must be logged manually to be counted toward the challenge.

  • Strava has specific restrictions on what groups can coordinate a sponsored challenge. The Morton Arboretum does not meet the criteria to create a sponsored challenge.

Race Apparel

All participants will receive a zipped hooded sweatshirt with the Pine Pacer Challenge logo, made from four-way stretch French terry fabric and ring-spun cotton.

The Pine Pacer Challenge sweatshirt is manufactured in a facility that meets internationally recognized standards for social compliance, including fair labor practices, health and safety, and environmental responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Accordion List

  • Participants must register online via RunSignup. Registration opens on Monday, October 27, 2025, and closes at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026.

  • No, participants may complete the challenge anywhere they like, but we encourage you to complete your miles at the Arboretum when possible. All paved roads at the Arboretum are accessible to runners and walkers. Running is not permitted on wood chipped hiking trails.

  • No, this challenge is only for tracking miles from walking or running.

  • Yes, you can track your miles anytime you walk or run, regardless of whether you are outside or inside.

  • You can view and submit your results on RunSignUp.

  • There is no consequence of not reaching your goal. The Pine Pacer Challenge is intended to encourage long-term exercise and wellness goals.

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