NEW point to point course!!
About this event:
This is the 19th annual Great Western Half Marathon.The race is hosted by the Fox River Trail Runners, race proceeds benefit Special Olympics, Illinois.
Registration fees
Half Marathon - Fox River Trail Runners Member Closed
Online registration closed-
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ClosedDec 1 – Dec 7
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$50.00Dec 7 – Dec 31
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$70.00Jan 1 – Jan 31
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$80.00Feb 1 – Mar 29
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$100.00Mar 30 – Apr 29
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Half Marathon - Non-Member Closed
Online registration closed-
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ClosedDec 1 – Dec 7
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$55.00Dec 7 – Dec 31
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$75.00Jan 1 – Jan 31
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$85.00Feb 1 – Mar 29
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$100.00Mar 30 – Apr 29
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Half Marathon + Training Program Closed
Online registration closed-
12 Week Training Plan - Beginning Feb. 7 (Beginners and Intermediate), Weekly group run
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ClosedDec 1 – Dec 7
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$90.00Dec 7 – Dec 31
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$90.00Jan 1 – Jan 1
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$90.00Jan 2 – Mar 29
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$100.00Mar 30 – Apr 29
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Half Marathon Course
WHAT'S NEW!
- Point to Point Course utilizing 11 miles of the Great Western Trail.
Start: Great Western Trail at Sycamore Speedway in Maple Park.
Finish: LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
- Pace Groups - Times TBD
Course will be USATF Certified. The race is run on the scenic Great Western Trail, which is mostly flat, consisting of asphalt and crushed limestone screenings. Mile splits will be given throughout the course. Water and Gatorade will be available at five water stations along the course, and Huma Chia Energy Gels will be provided near mile 7 of the course. The course will remain open until 11:00 a.m. allowing for a pace of 13 min 44 seconds to finish. No Strollers, dogs, walkers, roller-skaters or bikes are allowed in the race. For safety reasons, the use of headphones or other electronic devices during the race is STRONGLY discouraged.
Field
The race is limited to 1,500 entries to ensure a safe and enjoyable race experience. Registration will close when this limit is reached. The 2015 race filled in a few weeks. We anticipate a similiar close in 2016. Once 1,000 entries are reached the entry fee will be $100.00 for all categories. NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION.
Half Marathon Training Program
Training Program
Train for the 2016 Great Western Half Marathon with FRTR certified RRCA running coaches. A 12 week half marathon training program geared to beginner and intermediate levels will be available. Training begins Feb. 7.
Group run will be every Sunday, 8:00 am, Fabyan East Forest Preserve (Windmill) MAP
Select Training Plan option in registration screens
Parking
Parking for ALL race participants will be at St. Charles North High School MAP
NOTE: THERE IS NO ONSITE PARKING for participants either at LeRoy Oakes or Sycamore Speedway. Race participant drop offs will be permitted at Sycamore Speedway.
Free shuttle buses will be provided to transport participants only with a 2016 race bib to start at Sycamore Speedway. You must present a bib to board a bus. BUS DEPARTURE TIMES WILL BE 6:15, 6:30, 6:45 & 7:00 am. These are the only departure times, If you miss you selected time, transportation to start is on your own. Buses will also transport finishers back to St. Charles North HS from LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve beginning at 9:45 a.m. and continue through the day. Spectators will be allowed to enter LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve and park while spots exist.
Packet Pick Up
Early packet pickup will be available at Dick Pond Athletics, 303 N. 2nd Street (Rte 31), St Charles, IL on Friday, April 29th from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 30th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Dick Pond Athletics is located west of the Fox River just north of North Avenue (Rte. 64).
ONLY REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS MAY PICK UP THEIR OWN PACKETS.
YOU WILL BE ASKED FOR A PHOTO ID UPON CHECK IN.
Race day packet pickup will be available from 6:00 a.m. until 6:45 a.m. at St. Charles North High School.
Race Services
There will be water, electrolyte drink, and other refreshments for participants near the finish line.
There will be Emergency Medical Technicians and ambulance available. In addition event will be staffed by Race Guards.
Gear check bag drop will also be available at Sycamore Speedway before the race and you can retrieve your gear at LeRoy Oakes by finish.
Directions
The race starts at Sycamore Speedway, 50W086 IL-64, Maple Park, IL which is accessible from I-88 or I-90. From I-88, exit Orchard road north. At the Randall Road intersection, take Randall Road north to North Ave. (IL-64) in St Charles. Go west (left) on RT. 64 approximately 14 miles to the speedway entrance. From I-90, take Randall Road south to IL-64. Go west (right) on RT-64 to speedway entrance.
Swag & Awards
Swag:
All registered runners will receive a technical material race shirt. All race finishers will receive a commemorative medal.
Awards:
Top three overall Male and Female winners. Overall winners do not receive age group awards.
Age group awards will be presented to the top three Male and Female finishers in age groups 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 & over.
Event schedule
- Sun, May 1, 2016 8:00 AM - Start Time
Contact information
- Event contact
- Great Western Half Marathon Race Director
- Website
- Visit website