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2024 Great Western Half-Marathon & 10K

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Registration fees

Half-Marathon (13.1M): FRTR Member

Price changes in 1 month 23 days

Half-Marathon + Training Program: FRTR Member

Price changes in 1 month 23 days

Half-Marathon (13.1M): FRTR Non-Member

Price changes in 1 month 23 days

Half-Marathon + Training Program: FRTR Non-Member

Price changes in 1 month 23 days

10K: FRTR Non-Member

Price changes in 1 month 23 days

10K: FRTR Member

Price changes in 1 month 23 days

Half-Marathon and 10K Course

Start and Finish: LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve

Pace Groups - Yes

This 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 opposite 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 available around mile 7.

Strollers, dogs, assistive walkers, roller-skaters, or bikes are not 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.

It's hard to get lost on an this out-and-back course but volunteers will be out there to direct you. Most importantly at the turn around :)

Half-Marathon Training Program

Train for the 2024 Great Western Half-Marathon with the Fox River Trail Runners (FRTR) and their certified Road Runners Club of America coaches. An 11-week half-marathon training program geared to beginner and intermediate levels is available. Training begins Monday, February 12, and group long runs will be every Saturday, 7:00 AM, at Fabyan East Forest Preserve.

To enroll in the training program, select the Training Plan option during registration.

Parking

NEW Location - Parking for ALL race participants is at the Kane County Judicial Center, Address: 37W777 IL-38, St. Charles, IL 60175 (don't be nervous it's only 1.8 miles from race village)

Free shuttle busses will be provided to transport participants and their family to and from LeRoy Oakes. Buses will be loading/unloading every 10-15 minutes in the morning


Please note: There is no on-site parking for participants at LeRoy Oakes. Race participant drop-offs will be permitted. Anyone with a disability or in need of onsite parking will be accommodated race morning.

Packet Pick-Up

Packet Pickup will be at Dick Pond Athletics in St. Charles, IL Friday April 26th from 3pm to 6pm and Sat April 27th from 11am to 3pm

Not a member (we have to take the opportunity to ask) if you're interested in joining and supporting FRTR, click here

Race day packet pick-up will be available at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve starting around 5:45am.

Gear check drop-off and pick-up will be located at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve. You must use the bag provided at packet pick-up to secure your gear. Please attach the gear check tag from your race bib and attach it to your bag.

Race Services

There will be water, electrolyte drinks, and other refreshments for participants in Race Village.

Emergency Medical Technicians and ambulances 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.

First, second and third place in the following male/female 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+.

Awards Ceremony

  • An awards ceremony will be held for overall awards winners (top three).

  • Age group awards must be picked up from the Results & Awards tent post-race. Awards will not be mailed.

Results Posting / Look-Up

  • Results will be available for look-up kiosks at the Results & Awards Tent.

  • Results will be posted to the event website, allowing for participants to look up their results on mobile devices.


Race Shirt

Please note: You must be registered by April 5th, 2022, to guarantee your shirt/size.


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Half-Marathon Course Details

Hydration Stations and Porta Johns:

  1. Path & Dean Road (by miles 2 and 11)
  2. Path & Old LaFox Road (by Miles 4 and 9)
  3. Path by The Windings Clubhouse (between miles 5 and 6)

GU and/or energy gels:

  • Water Station 2
  • Water Station 3

Half-marathon participants will go by each water station twice.

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10K Course Details

Hydration Stations and Porta Johns:

  • Path & Dean Road (by miles 2 and 4)

10K Participants will go by the water station twice!

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Event schedule

  • April 26 3:00 PM CDT - Pre Race Packet Pick Up (Fri 5/5 3pm to 6pm and Sat 5/6 11am to 3pm @ Dick Pond St. Charles)
  • April 28 5:45 AM CDT - Race Day Packet Pick Up (LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve)
  • April 28 7:15 AM CDT - Start Time

Contact information

Event contact
Great Western Half Marathon Race Director
Email
greatwestern@foxrivertrailrunners.org
Website
Visit website

Sponsors/Charity Partners

  • Sponsors

  • Tri-City Family Services, Suicide Prevention Services, and NAMI KDK (National Alliance on Mental Ill