Rend Lake Marathon
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Rend Lake Marathon
The Rend Lake Marathon takes place on March 28, 2026 in Barren township, Illinois, at North Marcum Beach. The event program includes three race distances:
- Marathon (full marathon distance)
- 1/2 Marathon (half marathon distance)
- 1/4 Marathon (quarter marathon distance)
The marathon course is USATF certified. The route uses paved paths, a lakeside bike path and rolling country roads. It crosses the lake, passes South Sandusky Beach, the marina, the Rend Lake Visitors Center and the spillway, and continues past Lake Hamilton and Lake Benton before returning to North Marcum Beach. The surrounding area includes Rend Lake with 18,900 acres of water, about 20,000 acres of land, five public campgrounds and nearly 800 campsites, plus boat ramps, beaches, picnic sites and trails.
Multiple aid stations are available; mileages are approximate. Aid stations include water, Gatorade Endurance and a porta john at each location. Aid Station 3 at the Rend City parking lot provides gel fuel. Each race has its own finisher medal; the medals include a magnetic side so they can connect to each other.
Packet pickup is provided the day before at Seasons Restaurant at Rend Lake Golf Course and on race day at North Marcum Beach. Seasons Lodge and Condominiums at Rend Lake Golf Course offers a lodging discount for the race weekend. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
