Starved Rock Country Marathon
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Event
The Starved Rock Country Marathon takes place on May 9, 2026, in Ottawa, Illinois. The event includes the following distances:
- Marathon
- Half Marathon
- 10K
- 5K
The marathon is record eligible. Each registered runner receives a participant shirt. Finishers receive a race-specific medal, which is the fifth in the series.
Course and logistics
The marathon begins in downtown Ottawa and follows roads and trails along the Illinois River, passing neighborhood sections and routes through Starved Rock State Park. The park portion includes sandstone bluffs, natural rock formations, and notable elevation changes. The half marathon starts inside Starved Rock State Park and is described as a flat, fast course that combines wooded scenery with riverfront views. The 10K in 2026 is a new out-and-back course along Rt 71 on the banks of the Illinois River. The 5K starts and finishes at the same lines as the marathon, follows part of the marathon route, and finishes along the river; a portion of the 5K benefits local charities and events that promote running and physical activity.
The marathon course has 16 aid stations with Gatorade at each. Organizers plan to stock GU at one station for the half and two stations for the marathon. The course will remain open for 6 hours on race day. Packet pickup and the health expo are scheduled the day before at Rivers Edge event center (formerly Knights of Columbus Hall), 401 W. Main Street, Ottawa. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
