Fox River Trail Runners Half-Marathon
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This is the 23rd annual Great Western Half Marathon hosted by the Fox River Trail Runners, which was a RRCA Championship race in 2017. Any participant donations above and beyond registration fees will be given to Special Olympics, Illinois.
Interested in joining Fox River Trail Runners...click here.
Registration fees
13.1M - Half Marathon - Fox River Trail Member Closed
Online registration closed-
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$45.00Nov 26 – Dec 1
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$55.00Dec 2 – Dec 31
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$65.00Jan 1 – Jan 31
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$75.00Feb 1 – Feb 29
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$85.00Mar 1 – Mar 31
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$95.00Apr 1 – Mar 16
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13.1M - Half Marathon - Non-Member Closed
Online registration closed-
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$50.00Nov 26 – Dec 1
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$60.00Dec 2 – Dec 31
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$70.00Jan 1 – Jan 31
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$80.00Feb 1 – Feb 29
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$90.00Mar 1 – Mar 31
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$100.00Apr 1 – Mar 16
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Half Marathon + Training Program- Fox River Trail Member Closed
Online registration closed-
12 Week Training Plan - Beginning Feb. 10 (Beginners and Intermediate), Weekly group run
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$65.00Nov 26 – Dec 1
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$70.00Dec 2 – Dec 31
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$80.00Jan 1 – Jan 31
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$95.00Feb 1 – Feb 29
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ClosedMar 1 – Mar 16
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Half Marathon + Training Program - Non-Member Closed
Online registration closed-
12 Week Training Plan - Beginning Feb. 10 (Beginners and Intermediate), Weekly group run
-
$70.00Nov 26 – Dec 1
-
$75.00Dec 2 – Dec 31
-
$85.00Jan 1 – Jan 31
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$100.00Feb 1 – Feb 29
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ClosedMar 1 – Mar 16
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Deferral Closed
Defer current race entry to next years race
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$30.00Nov 26 - Mar 16
Half Marathon Course
Start and Finish: LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
Pace Groups - Yes
The course is USATF Certified. The race is run on the scenic Great Western Trail, which is mostly flat, consisting of asphalt and crushed limestone screenings. The Great Western Trail is a public trail system. Although we have taken many steps to inform the public of the races, the trail is still open to the public, so there will be bikes and others on the path that morning. Please stay to the right side of the path and always leave space to the left for passing runners and runners coming from the other direction. At most, please run two abreast, and always be respectful of other path users.
Mile splits will be given throughout the course. Water and Gatorade will be available at water stations along the course. Energy gels will be given around mile 7. The course will remain open until 10:15 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.
Runners cannot be accompanied or assisted by bicyclists and will be disqualified if this occurs. This practice is unfair and dangerous to other runners.
Please listen to volunteers directing you through turns and tight spots on the course.
Field
The race is limited to 1,200 entries to ensure a safe and enjoyable race experience. Registration will close when either this limit is reached or at 11:59:59PM CDT on Friday, April 30, 2020, whichever comes first.
Half Marathon Training Program
Train for the 2020 Great Western Half Marathon with the Fox River Trail Runners (FRTR) and their certified Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) coaches. A 11-week half marathon training program geared to beginner and intermediate levels is available. Training begins Monday, February 10, and the first long run is scheduled for Saturday, February 15. Training ends the week before the race.
Group runs will be every Saturday, 7:00 AM, at Fabyan East Forest Preserve unless otherwise specified by FRTR or your assigned coach.
To enroll in the training program, Select the Training Plan option during registration.
Parking
Parking for ALL race participants will be at St. Charles North High School. St. Charles North High School is located at: 255 Red Gate Road in St. Charles.
Free shuttle buses will be provided to transport participants. BUS DEPARTURE TIMES WILL BE 5:45AM, 6:00AM, & 6:15 AM. These are the only departure times. If you miss your selected time, transportation to start is on your own. Spectators will be allowed to enter LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve and park while spots exist, but will also have the option of transportation from St. Charles North High School
Buses will begin transporting finishers and spectators from LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve to St. Charles North High School starting at 8:45 AM. and will continue through the morning.
Please note there is very limited onsite parking for participants at LeRoy Oakes. Race participant drop-offs will be permitted at LeRoy Oakes.
Packet Pick Up
Early packet pickup will be available at Dick Pond Athletics on Friday, May 1 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM and Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
For non-Fox River Trail Runner Members, registered participants must pick up their own race bib and will be asked for a photo ID.
Fox River Trail Runner members may have another FRTR Member pick up your bib on your behalf. Members must send an email to greatwestern@frtr.org prior to pick-up and include your name, Membership Number and the name and number of the Member picking up your bib.
Interested in joining FRTR, click here.
Race day packet pick-up will be available from 5:45 to 6:45 AM at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve.
Gear check drop-off and pick up will be located at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve. You must use the bag given to you at packet pick up to secure your gear. Please use the gear check tag attached to your bib and attach to your bag.
Race Services
There will be water, electrolyte drinks, and other refreshments for participants in Race Village.
Emergency Medical Technicians and ambulance are available. In addition, the race will be staffed by Race Guards.
Gear check drop-off is at LeRoy Oakes.
Directions
The race starts and finishes at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W584 Dean Street, St. Charles, 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 Dean Street in St Charles. Go west (left) on Dean Street approximately 1/4 of a mile to LeRoy Oakes entrance. From I-90, take Randall Road south to Dean Street. Go west (right) on Dean Street to LeRoy Oakes entrance.
Swag & Awards
All registered runners will receive a commemorative medal at the finish line.
Awards for the top three overall Male and Female winners. Overall winners will not receive age group awards.
Age group awards for 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.
Race Shirt
New This Year! You will have the option during registration to opt out of the race shirt, which, if you choose no shirt, will give you a $10 discount upon completion of your registration.
But....you definitely want to have this shirt!
Mens' Shirt:
Ladies' Shirt:
Event schedule
- Fri, May 1, 2020 3:00 PM - Pre Race Packet Pick Up (Friday 5/1 @ Dick Pond St. Charles)
- Sat, May 2, 2020 10:00 AM - Pre Race Packet Pick Up (Saturday 5/2 @ Dick Pond St. Charles)
- Sun, May 3, 2020 5:45 AM - Race Day Packet Pick Up (LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve)
- Sun, May 3, 2020 7:15 AM - Start Time
Contact information
- Event contact
- Great Western Half Marathon Race Director
- Website
- Visit website
