El Trote
De Las Calacas 2026
Lively Cultural Event & Certified 5K Race
Experience the festive El Trote De Las Calacas (Skeleton Trot), a USTF-certified 5K race/walk and lively cultural event in its third annual year! With over 1,000 attendees in 2025, all will experience this celebration honoring the Day of the Dead with live music, food, dancing catrinas, performers, a cultural marketplace and so much more. The race steps off amid music and fanfare at 9 am on a course that begins at the Gail Borden Public Library at 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.
Be part of the tradition. Run with the Calacas!
The event will take place rain or shine. But, in case of a cancellation due to inclement/unsafe weather conditions, race registrants will be notified via email by 7:30 am the morning of the event. Please be sure to check your email for updates if the weather looks unfavorable.
Presented by the Gail Borden Public Library District Foundation and the U-46 Educational Foundation. By participating as a runner, walker, sponsor, or volunteer, you help support two of the community’s premier child-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits. This unique partnership turns every stride into an investment for the community, combining cultural celebration with a powerful fundraising mission.
Co-Sponsored by The City of Elgin
Thank you to everyone who has registered for the 2026 El Trote de las Calacas 5K!
Please see the packet pickup dates and times below:
Location: Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
Saturday, October 3, from 9 am to 3 pm
Wednesday, October 7, from 4 to 8 pm
Thursday, October 8, from 11 am to 2 pm and 4 to 8 pm
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Only the first 1,500 finishers are guaranteed to finish medals due to limited quantities.
Volunteer
Want to help support the event, but running just isn't your thing? Get to enjoy the cultural celebrations, the people, and the food while working as a race-day volunteer! Your help is greatly needed to make this day a success for the foundation.
Cultural Marketplace Outside!
Previously indoors, the Cultural Marketplace is now part of the action outside within then event from 8 - 10:30 am!
Shop and browse vendors and their items within the cultural marketplace. Vendors will be selling Day of the Dead themed items or items found on a traditional Ofrenda.
No longer accepting Marketplace Vendor applications.
Media
Elgin News Digest: Natural history museums program at Elgin museum; annual El Trote and cultural celebration set for Oct. 10
Thank you to our early sponsors:
Gold
Silver
Denise Broz
Bronze
Copper
In Kind Sponsors
Tamborazo 4 Estrellas sponsored by
New this year!
- Live banda: Experience excitement to the next level as a live banda, Tamborazo 4 Estrellas, leads the walkers with irresistible beats to keep the momentum going all 3.1 miles! Tamborazo 4 Estrellas is sponsored by: Epic Realty, Angelica Garcia - Resonate Mortgage, Kustom Mobile Solutions, AE Tax Services and Zamudio Law Group.
- Food Trucks: Several food trucks will be on site selling items from 8:30 am - 2 pm. In-Kind sponsors Churros y Chocolate and La Michoacana Paradise will provide items to all race registrants and will sell additional items during the event. Food truck vendors La Cocinita Familiar, Inches Tacos, and Don Rafa will be on site selling items throughout the day for those interested.
- Local Business Discounts: Several local businesses will offer discounts to customers on race day only (Saturday, October 10)! Show your El Trote bib or shirt on Saturday, October 10 to participating local businesses to receive your discount.
- Cultural Marketplace Outside!: Previously indoors, the Cultural Marketplace is now part of the action outside within then event! Shop and browse vendors within the cultural marketplace. Vendors will be selling Day of the Dead themed items or items found on a traditional Ofrenda.
- The Fox River Triad Medal: Participants of all three races in 2026— Dublindee on March 7, 2026; Fox Trot on May 31, 2026; and El Trote de las Calacas on October 10, 2026 — will receive this special triad medal at no additional cost! No special registration needed. Medals will be presented to participants immediately following the awards at El Trote de las Calacas on Oct. 10.
Additional Event Information:
We have partnered with the Holiday Inn — Elgin to offer a discounted hotel room block for those who would like to stay local for the race. If you would like to reserve a room, book here and use Group Code: TDC, or by calling 847.488.9000 and mentioning "El Trote de las Calacas." Reservations must be made no later than 10/2/2026 to receive the room block rate.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship proceeds will be shared between the U-46 Educational Foundation and the Gail Borden Public Library District Foundation (both organizations are nonprofit/501(c)(3)).
Please make out checks to Gail Borden Public Library District Foundation, 270 N. Grove, Elgin, IL 60120.
To sponsor or find out more, contact Natalie Kiburg at [email protected].
