CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, ILLINOIS

Finish Time

Marathon participants should enter only if they are confident that they can finish the course in six hours or less (an approximately 13:43 per mile pace). The half marathon has a similar pace-based cutoff time but promises course control for participants finishing in 3:30 or less. Traffic control and health and safety volunteers, and race officials, will vacate the course six hours after the start. Anyone who continues to run on the course six hours after the start (or three hours and 30 minutes for the half marathon) will be doing so at his/her own risk.

Can I Walk in Any of the Races?

We allow walkers in all events but the Mile and the Marathon. Take note that for the Half Marathon, the course will be closed to traffic for participants who are on pace to finish in 3:30 or less (roughly 16 minutes per mile).

Are Strollers or Pets Allowed on the Course?

We allow strollers in the 5K Run/Walk only, and as long as you are walking and start in the last corral. Strollers will start right ahead of those walking without strollers. If you are pushing a child in a stroller, you must WALK and not run. We do not allow pets in any of our events.

Spectator Guidelines

Please follow the Spectator Guidelines regarding Memorial Stadium for the Friday and Saturday races.

Vehicles

Unofficial wheeled vehicles (strollers, bikes, baby joggers, skates, skate boards, roller blades, hoverboards, segways, etc.) are not permitted on the course. Pets are also banned from the course. Strollers are allowed in the 5K, as long as the participant is walking.

Pacers

Outside of the Official Pace Team, pacers are not allowed on the course! Any runner who receives assistance from a pacer (either on foot or on bicycle) risks being disqualified by the race director.

Age Requirements

Only validly entered runners may participate. No one under the age of 17 on race day will be allowed to compete in the marathon, and no one under the age of 12 on race day will be allowed to compete in the half marathon.

Course Marshals

The race will be staffed and videotaped at several checkpoints to ensure competitors who cross the finish line have done so after completing the entire course.

Race Number

Your timing device for the event is the single-use ChronoTrack B-Tag. Your individual timing device is affixed to your bib—one small timing strip on either side of the back of your bib—and must not be removed.  Your race time starts when you cross the start line and stops when you cross the finish line. You pick up your B-Tag race bib at the expo on Thursday or Friday. On race day, in order to receive an accurate time, please make sure your race bib is clearly visible on the front of your torso, unaltered and unmodified (do not fold or wrinkle your number), pinned in all four corners, and not covered (by jackets, runner belts, water bottles, etc.).

Sag Wagons

Sag wagons will patrol the course and offer rides to competitors who choose not to continue. Your race bib number will be recorded upon boarding. Any competitor who boards a sag wagon will not be allowed to rejoin the race.

Prize Money

Any competitor who receives prize money may be required to provide a Social Security Number to Marathon officials.

In accordance with USATF Rules and regulations, high school and college-eligible athletes are not eligible to receive athletic funds (prize money). The names and addresses of all athletes and the amount of athletic funds paid to any individual who competes in the Illinois Marathon events will be submitted to the USATF.

Drug Testing

Athletes who participate in this competition may be subject to formal drug testing in accordance with USATF Regulation 10 and/or IAAF Rule 55. Athletes found positive for a banned substance, or who refuse to be tested, will be disqualified from this event and will lose eligibility for future competitions. Some prescription and over-the-counter medications may contain banned substances. Information regarding drugs and drug testing may be obtained by calling the USOC hot line at 800-233-0393.

Headphones

Headphones, earbuds, and so on are discouraged. Runners should be alert to their surroundings and able to hear course volunteers and other runners.

Registration Insurance

For our 2025 race, we are offering registration insurance through Protecht/Fanshield. Get reimbursed up to 100% for an additional fee if you can’t attend the event for a number of reasons, including injury, illness, travel complications, and so on. The insurance covers your registration, any processing fees, as well as any items you may have purchased, such as race gear, ARC shower passes, and so on. The cost of the insurance is based on your registration checkout total: you pay $4.99 if your registration checkout total is $24.99 or less, $5.99 if your registration checkout total is between $25 and $70.47, and 8.50% if your registration checkout total is $70.48 or more. To learn what’s covered and what’s not, please read this Protecht/Fanshield registration insurance document.

Cancellations/Race Modifications

The race director reserves the right to cancel or modify races in consideration of extremely adverse weather conditions, or other health or safety factors, that pose an imminent threat to competitors or volunteers.

The race director reserves the right to disqualify any individual who does not comply with these rules.