Race Information
Name: Illinois Marathon
Date: April 18, 2026
Distance: 26.2 miles
Location: Champaign-Urbana, IL
Time: 3:35:09
Age/Sex: 45F
Background
This was my first marathon in 7 years. My last one was Boston, and if I’m honest, that race marked the point where I lost my love for running a bit. I didn’t stop running, but I stepped away from racing. Over the years I stayed consistent, but leaned more into balance (biking, yoga, Pilates) and less structure, less pressure. Last year I felt ready to see what I could do again.
Training
I’m probably what some would call a lazy runner, but I like to think of it more as consistent and aerobic-focused. Most quality came from marathon pace work rather than intervals. Historically, that’s worked well for me, and I didn’t feel the need to overhaul it.
- Peak mileage: 60 mpw
- Structure: 2 marathon pace sessions/week + long run
- A lot of easy running and a lot of cross-training (bike, yoga)
I was originally training for Carmel, targeting ~3:38, but that race was cancelled late. I pivoted to Illinois the following weekend, which created an unplanned change: I effectively went from my usual two-week taper to a three-week taper.
I was a bit unsure how that would play out. I tend to do well off a shorter taper, and there’s always that concern of feeling flat with too much rest. In practice, I think I threaded it reasonably well. I kept in light running, stayed loose, and tried not to overthink it. I didn’t feel overly sharp on race morning, but I also didn’t feel stale. If anything, it probably helped ensure I showed up fully recovered.
Race Execution
I ran this mostly by feel rather than locking into a rigid pacing strategy. Historically, whatever pace I start at in a marathon I tend to hold. This wasn’t a perfect race, but it was a strong one. I ran by effort, adjusted when conditions changed, and never felt like I completely fell apart. Midwest weather gave winter at the start, summer by the finish, and some wind throughout. Given the conditions and the pivot from Carmel, this felt like a fair reflection of my fitness.
Fueling
Kept it simple and similar to long runs. GU Roctane gels (mix of non-caffeine and various caffeine levels), every 3-4 miles, but skipped one late gel to avoid GI issues (definitely left time on the course as a result).
The Course & Race Experience (Why This Race Stood Out)
I don’t see Illinois talked about a lot, but it should be. From start to finish, this was one of the most well-executed races I’ve experienced. Flat and fast course that is clearly marked and consistently supported. And, logistics were seamless, communication clear, and volunteers were everywhere which was genuinely great. Even the expo (usually not my thing) was efficient and easy.
What surprised me most was the crowd support. Even after the half marathon split, I never felt alone, which I honestly expected going in. And, there were also small details that stood out:
- Bib designations like “First Marathon” created connection on course
- Race photos were available almost immediately (and free)
- A sign-language interpreter at the start
- Gluten-free post-race options (a first for me and much appreciated!)
Only one piece of critical feedback: a few aid stations were tight or placed right after turns, which made grabbing fluids at pace a bit tricky late in the race. Minor, but noticeable.
Post-Race Reflection
This wasn’t just about time. Yes, 3:35 gets me a 10 minute BQ buffer, which was the goal. But more importantly: I enjoyed it. And, that hasn’t always been true for me in marathons. For the first time in a long time, I finished a race not just satisfied, but eager to do it again.
TLDR: Illinois is a seriously underrated marathon. If you’re looking for a well-run, fast, no-drama race this is it. I went in hoping to execute a race; I came out remembering why I love running.