Fox River Trail Runners Half-Marathon & 10K
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This is the 24th annual Great Western Half Marathon & 10K 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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$55.00Dec 20 – Dec 31
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$65.00Jan 1 – Jan 31
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$75.00Feb 1 – Feb 28
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$85.00Mar 1 – Mar 31
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$95.00Apr 1 – Apr 14
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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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$75.00Dec 20 – Dec 31
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$80.00Jan 1 – Jan 31
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$90.00Feb 1 – Feb 28
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$95.00Mar 1 – Mar 31
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ClosedMar 31 – Apr 14
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13.1M - Half Marathon - Non-Member Closed
Online registration closed-
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$60.00Dec 20 – Dec 31
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$70.00Jan 1 – Jan 31
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$80.00Feb 1 – Feb 28
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$90.00Mar 1 – Mar 31
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$100.00Apr 1 – Apr 14
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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
-
$75.00Dec 20 – Dec 31
-
$85.00Jan 1 – Jan 31
-
$100.00Feb 1 – Feb 28
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$105.00Mar 1 – Mar 31
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ClosedMar 31 – Apr 14
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10K Run Non Member Closed
Online registration closed-
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$35.00Dec 20 – Dec 31
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$40.00Jan 1 – Jan 31
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$45.00Feb 1 – Feb 28
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$55.00Mar 1 – Apr 14
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10K Run Fox River Trail Member Closed
Online registration closed-
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$30.00Dec 20 – Dec 31
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$35.00Jan 1 – Jan 31
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$40.00Feb 1 – Feb 28
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$45.00Mar 1 – Apr 14
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Virtual 10K Run/Walk Closed
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$35.00Dec 20 - Apr 14
Virtual Half Marathon Run Closed
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$35.00Dec 20 - Apr 14
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 points will be marked along the course so participants can keep track of splits.. Water and Gatorade will be available at water stations along the course. Energy gels will be given around mile 7.
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 600 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, 2021, whichever comes first.
Half Marathon Training Program
Train for the 2021 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 15, and the first long run is scheduled for Saturday, February 20. 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 with additional times added as needed. If you miss your selected time, transportation to start is on your own. Spectators may or may not be allowed pending CDC guidelines at the time of the race. We will keep you updated on this issue.
Buses will begin transporting finishers 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 on-site 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 on Saturday, May 1 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Dick Pond's in St. Charles, IL. This will be a drive through packet pick up. If you do walk up, please wear a mask and maintain social distancing guidelines.
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 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.
Due to COVID and restrictions placed this year, we have decided not to have age group awards. We were unsure what registration numbers would even look like, so we decided to only present awards to the top three overall Male and Female winners in both the Half and 10k. We will re-evaluate this decision for 2022. We hope everyone understands our need to make this change for this year.
Virtual Participation
If you have chosen to run our race virtually this year....here are some details to help you moving!
Run anytime between April 24, 2021 and May 2, 2021
Choose your own course
(Virtual participants are not eligible for any age group awards)
All virtual participants will receive our great SWAG!
Follow these easy steps to prepare for your tracking:
 TRACKING STEPS 1. Download the ASICS Runkeeper™ app to your phone and create an account or scroll down to log into an existing account Once you have completed your distance in the app, save your workout and it will automatically post to Race Roster results. (This step must be followed from your mobile device) |
 VIEWING AND POSTING MANUAL RESULTS If you plan to record using another software or tracking device or post manually from what is recorded on your watch, simply head here and "Submit Virtual Result" between April 24 and May 2, 2021. |
FAQS:
- To record with tracking on the ASICS Runkeeper™ app, you will need to run or walk with your phone or with a connected wearable (see instructions below)
- You do not have to track with these technologies, it is optional!
- More detailed end-to-end instructions (with images) for using the ASICS Runkeeper™ app to track your virtual event are linked here
- Instructions to link a recent activity recorded on a FitBit, Garmin, or Apple Watch linked here
- Steps to connect your FitBit, Garmin, or Apple Watch to the Runkeeper™ app are linked here
- Steps to manually post your results on Race Roster (not using the app) are linked here
If you have any technical questions, please reply to this email and the Race Roster team will support you. Take pictures out there! get creative with your finish line - share your images and stories with us in the Facebook group and tag us on social!
We look forward to seeing your name on the results board.
Event schedule
- Fri, April 30, 2021 3:00 PM - Pre Race Packet Pick Up (Friday 5/1 @ Dick Pond St. Charles)
- Sat, May 1, 2021 10:00 AM - Pre Race Packet Pick Up (Saturday 5/2 @ Dick Pond St. Charles)
- Sun, May 2, 2021 5:45 AM - Race Day Packet Pick Up (LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve)
- Sun, May 2, 2021 7:15 AM - Start Time
Contact information
- Event contact
- Great Western Half Marathon Race Director
- Website
- Visit website
