Half marathons have become more and more popular over the past twenty years. Even in the prairies of Illinois, you can find many unexpectedly scenic half marathons. If you can find a good half marathon within driving distance of your home and plan a trip around it, you have the basis for a wonderful weekend get-away. Here's a list of my five favorite half marathons in Illinois:
1) The Cactus Classic Trail Run Half Marathon and Marathon, Manito, Illinois
Race Description: Sand Ridge State Park in west-central Illinois boasts over 7000 acres of pineland woods. This half marathon is not for the faint of heart! Its remote location on a bluff near the Illinois River makes this race a challenging trail run. Be prepared to wallow in long hilly sections of sand interspersed with dirt trails covered in pine needles. This is a great event if you are training for a full marathon later in the spring. No energy drinks or supplements were handed out, although water bottles were placed beside the trail in several locations.Goody bag: An unusual navy blue hoody with pockets was a real pleasure to wear in the chill after the race.Refreshments: Food was slightly above average and healthy, including lots of fruit, sandwiches, and cookies. Nice prizes were handed out for first place finishers.Drawbacks: Be prepared to shake the sand out of your running shoes for days afterwards! Be aware that the half marathon course is actually about 13.4 miles.Registration Fee: $45.00.Date of next event: March 9, 2013, 9:00 a.m. startLocation: Sand Ridge State Park, near Manito, in central Illinois
2) North Shore Half Marathon and 5K, Highland Park, IL
Race Description: Year after year, this unique half marathon draws enthusiastic crowds and has perfect weather. The Chicago suburb of Highland Park is situated along the Lake Michigan shoreline just north of Cook County. The neighborhoods around Highland Park are lovely, full of beautiful homes and elm-lined streets and parks. Its rolling terrain, scenic lake bluffs, and ravines make this a lovely course. The route also winds through the historic army base Fort Sheridan and the equally historic Ravinia (the country's oldest outdoor concert venue).Goody bag: This race hands out the best goody bags I've seen. Every year you can anticipate at least one extremely unique item in your bag-kind of like Hallowe'en and Christmas rolled into one. Instead of a standard cotton t-shirt that you'll never wear again, expect a zippered track jacket, or sweatbands and flip flops, or a padded knapsack for carrying your running gear... all in the cool "Northshore" blue color.Refreshments: Post-race food is unique, too-one year hotdogs and burgers were served while a live band played in the background. Another year, it was pancakes, and this year, it was samples of caramel corn, soymilk, and fruit-yogurt bits.Drawbacks: On a warm June day, the extremely steep hill at Mile 7 challenges even the most serious of runners.Registration Fee: $80.00Date of next event: Sunday, June 9, 2013Location: northern Chicago suburbs (Highland Park)
3) Christie Clinic Illinois Half Marathon and Marathon, Champaign, IL
Race Description: This half marathon is only in its fourth year, but every year the fun increases. Go, Illini! Running through the beautiful campus of the University of Illinois and the surrounding residential neighborhoods is delightful on an April morning. Campus landmarks distract you from your fatigue and the race course is tree-shaded for much of the way. The finish line is at the 50 yard line of Union Stadium. Waiting for you in the bleachers, your family and friends can watch you cross the finish line on the huge sports screen. Afterwards, the runners' post-race area is spacious (a nice change from many urban half marathons!) and you can wander freely around the football field without bumping into the dozens of other full- and half-marathoners.Goody bag: The finisher's medals are delightfully funky and colorful. The race shirts are high-quality, unusual, and gender-specific (women appreciate those shorter sleeves!). The orange-and-blue nylon drawstring gear bags are extremely useful for sweaty running clothes.Refreshments: Great post-race Italian food is provided by Biaggi's Italian Restaurant.Drawbacks: This is a popular race! Expect crowded conditions on parts of the race course.Registration Fee: $70.00Next event date: April 27, 2013 (registration opens July 1)Location: Champaign, IL
4) Chicago Half Marathon and 5K, Chicago, IL
http://www.chicagohalfmarathon.com/
Race Description: Enjoy the novelty of running on Lake Shore Drive, the most beautiful roadway in Chicago. The race starts on at the site of the 1893 World's Fair and the first Ferris Wheel, commemorating the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the new world. Usually scheduled for a date three weeks prior to the Chicago Marathon, it is a great training race if you're also registered for the Chicago Marathon. Like the North Shore Half Marathon, this race is run on city streets adjacent to Lake Michigan, near the campus of the University of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry. The race starts and ends on the Museum grounds, which makes for great photos and lots of green, open spaces after the race. Be sure to stroll over to the lakefront afterwards, if you have enough energy.Drawbacks: Weather conditions in early September are usually very hot and humid! This can be a very sweaty, sticky race.Registration Fee: $75.002012 Date: September 9, 7:00 amLocation: Chicago (Hyde Park), Il
5) Peoria Heights Half Marathon, Peoria Heights, IL
http://www.heightshalfmarathon.com
Race Description: 2012 was the inaugural year for this half marathon in the hilly part of Peoria Heights. Why is this race so wonderful? Primarily due to its scenic course along the Illinois River valley. Residential neighborhoods with ornamental trees crowd along the entire route. Your mind does not notice what your body is doing when there is such beautiful scenery at every bend of the river!Goody Bag: Long-sleeved, super-stylish technical t-shirts in an unusual shade of charcoal grey were handed out this year.Refreshments: Spicy pizza, hot soup, AND cold beer were served in generous quantities afterwards.Drawbacks: The very hilly course is challenging! Be prepared to give your quadriceps more of a workout than usual in Illinois.Registration Fee: $65.00Next event date: TBA (late March 2013)Location: Peoria Heights, IL
All of these half marathons are pleasurable reminders of the beauties of living and running in Illinois. Choose one of these races and use it as an excuse to make a weekend trip to visit a part of Illinois that you haven't previously seen! You will be pleased with what you find.
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