Please note: Pine Pacer pullover pick up at Dick Pond Athletics will end on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Pine Pacer mugs must be picked up at the Arboretum Store by Monday, February 5.
Congratulations to all of our 2024 Pine Pacer participants! Participants have until Wednesday, February 7th to upload results.
Start the new year off on the right foot with the Pine Pacer running and walking challenge hosted at The Morton Arboretum. Throughout the month of January, participants can track runs and walks they complete and submit the mileage of each workout to the Arboretum’s virtual challenge website.
To start the Pine Pacer challenge, select a goal of 25, 50, or 100 miles that you commit to complete by the end of January. To reach your goal, you can run or walk at the Arboretum, around your neighborhood, on a treadmill, or anywhere else you like to run and walk. Remember, this is a challenge! Push yourself and get a healthy start on your new year’s resolutions.
Event highlights include:
- Commemorative Pine Pacer Flex Fleece 1/4-Zip Pullover with men’s and women’s styles
- An option to have your sweatshirt mailed
- Challenge completion stickers
- Participants who aren’t yet members of the Arboretum receive complimentary admission passes and the opportunity to become a member at a discounted rate.
New for 2024: Pine Pacer Travel Mug (Sold out)
For an additional $15, participants will receive a branded Pine Pacer travel mug. Present this travel mug at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center when you visit in January to receive a free hot coffee or hot tea voucher for the day.
Congratulations to all of our 2024 Pine Pacer participants! You can view the leaderboard results here. Participants have until Wednesday, February 7th to upload results. Challenge completion stickers will be mailed directly to participants after the final results have been pulled.
Registration Options
Register for the Pine Pacer Challenge >
Pine Pacer 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.
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.
Finding routes on Strava: You can follow this profile on the Strava app to see the created routes. You will also see the routes in your weekly motivation emails, which will identify the accessibility, length, terrain, and elevation of the route. See the FAQ section for more information about using Strava to log your activities.
Finding routes at the Arboretum: Look for signage along trails and roads that identify the start and end of each route. Route maps will not be available at the Visitor Center, so please follow directions from your email to find the route you are looking for.
Tracking Your Performance
Pine Pacer participants will record their official results here. The leaderboard is updated in real time and can help participants stay motivated.
In addition to tracking miles on the Official Pine Pacer web page, participants may also find it helpful to use Strava, a fitness app that can log mileage on an iPhone or Android using smartphone data, a GPS-supported smartwatch, or head unit. Please note that logging miles on the Strava app will not synchronize with the official Pine Pacer Challenge results.
The Morton Arboretum uses Strava to create routes to support and inspire current users of the app and to create visual routes for non-users to enjoy. Strava users can follow this profile to see routes located on the Arboretum grounds.
Membership Special
Pine Pacer participants have the opportunity to take advantage of a $10 discount on any new Morton 1-6 one year membership while registering for the challenge.
Pine Pacer Travel Mug (Sold Out)
Please note: Pine Pacer mugs are now sold out.
For an additional $15 when registering, participants receive a Pine Pacer travel mug and a voucher for free hot coffee or tea at the Ginkgo Café redeemable on each visit to the Arboretum. Participants can present their Pine Pacer travel mug at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center to receive a free hot coffee or hot tea voucher for the day.
Members who have signed up for the free Frequent Visitor Rewards Program may collect their points and save them to enjoy a free small beverage or pastry throughout the remaining winter months!
Pine Pacer Flex Fleece 1/4-Zip Pullover
Pullover Pick Up
Free pullover pick up will take place Wednesday, January 17 through Sunday, February 4, 2024 at Dick Pond Athletics in Lisle during the following hours:
- Monday through Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Dick Pond Athletics is located at 2775 Maple Ave, Lisle, IL, 60532. Registrants who select to have their pullover mailed will receive it by the end of January.
Pine Pacer Challenge Frequently Asked Questions