Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon 5K Run/Walk Returns with New Route and Increased Participation
The Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon 5K Run/Walk, a highlight of the annual Illinois Race Weekend, made its anticipated return on Friday, April 25, 2025, after a brief hiatus. This year’s event featured a redesigned course and welcomed approximately 200 additional participants, reflecting the community’s enthusiasm for the race.
Race director Jan Seeley noted that, with just days remaining before the event, 300 new runners had registered, many of whom had not been previously signed up. (news-gazette.com) The updated route, detailed on the Illinois Marathon website, necessitated the closure of Kirby Avenue between Fourth and First Streets starting at 5 p.m. on Friday.
Participants concluded the race near Memorial Stadium, where they were greeted with medals and a celebration featuring live music from local band PBS, beverages in the Riggs beer garden, and a variety of food options. Looking ahead, Seeley confirmed that the 2026 races are scheduled for April 24-26, 2026, with no anticipated changes to the event lineup.
The 2024 5K had been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, including campus protests that required law enforcement resources to be redirected. Seeley expressed optimism for the future, stating, "Next year, things will go back to normal and hopefully we won’t have an unprecedented situation like this." (news-gazette.com)
The Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon continues to be a significant event for the community, promoting health, fitness, and local engagement.
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