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Illinois Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Champaign-Urbana, IL, IL, USA
- Race Date: 04/24/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Illinois Marathon Description
The Illinois Marathon is the centerpiece of the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend, drawing roughly 11,000 runners to Champaign-Urbana each April. The Boston-qualifying, mostly flat loop tours the University of Illinois campus, winds through Urbana, and returns through Champaign for a memorable finish on the 50-yard line of Memorial Stadium. Race weekend also includes a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and youth runs, making it a true community celebration. Pace groups help runners of every level chase a fast finish on this fan-favorite Big Ten course.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Illinois Marathon Additional Details:
Along the course, aid comes from more than just the official stations, students and residents set up impromptu tables of their own, handing out everything from water to popsicles and high-fives, while campustown lawns and driveways fill with lawn chairs and homemade signs. Official stops keep water and gu flowing roughly every seven miles, with volunteers directing runners to shelter if weather turns. The real payoff comes at the tunnel entrance to Memorial Stadium, where your name is announced over the loudspeakers as friends and family cheer from the stands. Finishers walk away with a genuinely well-designed medal, a fleece blanket, a heatsheet, and food and drink, capping off a race Big Ten fans clearly built with pride.
Course Information
Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 6 hours (full), 3.5 hours (half)
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 2,000+
Marathon: 1,050 to 1,100
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 456 ft
Elevation Loss: 483 ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 46°F
- High: 63°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Full Marathon Training Plan
Structured plans for every experience level, from your first 26.2 to chasing a new PR.
Things to Do in Champaign-Urbana, IL, IL, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Landmark
Japan House and Arboretum
Wander the traditional tea gardens and serene landscapes of Japan House and Arboretum on the UIUC campus — an easy, flat, peaceful stop for tired legs.
Arts & Culture
Krannert Art Museum
See more than 11,000 works spanning the 4th century B.C. to today at the Krannert Art Museum, Illinois’s second-largest fine art museum — a relaxed, indoor visit.
Museums & History
Spurlock Museum
Explore anthropology and world history exhibits at the free Spurlock Museum on the UIUC campus — an easy, air-conditioned, low-impact indoor stop after race weekend.
Sports & Entertainment
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
Catch a Broadway show or symphony concert at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on the UIUC campus — a relaxed, seated way to spend an evening.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens
Stroll the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, just west of Champaign — a shaded, low-impact walk through cultivated gardens after race day.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Crystal Lake Park
Relax by the water at Crystal Lake Park, with easy trails for picnics, kayaking, and nature walks — a flat, low-impact way to spend a rest day.
Shopping
Downtown Champaign
Browse boutiques, antique shops, and cafes housed in historic storefronts around downtown Champaign — an easy, flat, walkable stroll for a post-race souvenir after race weekend.
Food & Drink
Riggs Beer Company
Tour the brewery or relax in the taproom and beer garden at Riggs Beer Company, known for German and American-style lagers — a relaxed way to celebrate the finish line.
Outdoors & Trails
Kickapoo Rail Trail
Bike a scenic stretch of the Kickapoo Rail Trail, a converted rail corridor winding through the countryside near Champaign-Urbana — an easy, flat option for tapering or recovering legs.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Illinois Marathon
Compare nearby hotels and book your Illinois Marathon race-weekend stay in seconds.
Sunrise Running Company may earn a commission if you book through the map below, at no extra cost to you.
Featured Race
A pancake-flat course made for chasing a PR — and a Boston Qualifier.
Boston Qualifier: Yes