Our annual poll is now live!
Which races deserve the top spot in each state for 2026?
Our annual poll is now live!
Which races deserve the top spot in each state for 2026?
Illinois has 14 active marathons this year. Races are most common in September, April, and October. Course terrain for these courses is most often mostly flat or rolling hills. Typical race day temperatures range from 46°F to 66°F.
Popular races include the Chicago Marathon, Illinois Marathon, and Quad Cities Marathon. There is 1 new marathon in Illinois this year — Nauvoo Marathon. 13 certified courses can be great Boston qualifier options. Races with the best Boston qualifying percentages include the Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon — 68.5% BQ and Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon — 57.3% BQ.
| Illinois Marathons |
Course
|
PR Score
|
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rend Lake MarathonWhittington, IL03/28/2026 |  Mostly Flat 63 Finishers |
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Spring Chance BQ.2 MarathonGeneva, IL04/11/2026 |  Very Flat138 Finishers |
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Illinois MarathonChampaign-Urbana, IL04/25/2026 | Mostly Flat895 Finishers |
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Nauvoo MarathonNauvoo, IL04/25/2026 |  Rolling Hills
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Chicagoland Spring MarathonSchaumburg, IL05/03/2026 | Mostly Flat488 Finishers |
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Starved Rock Country MarathonOttawa, IL05/09/2026 | Rolling Hills94 Finishers |
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Last Chance BQ.2 MarathonGeneva, IL09/06/2026 | Very Flat254 Finishers |
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Fox Valley MarathonSt. Charles, IL09/20/2026 | Mostly Flat497 Finishers |
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Belleville Main Street MarathonBelleville, IL09/26/2026 | Rolling Hills175 Finishers |
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Quad Cities MarathonMoline, IL09/27/2026 | Mostly Flat540 Finishers |
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Des Plaines River Trail MarathonLincolnshire, IL10/10/2026 | Mostly Flat232 Finishers |
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Chicago MarathonChicago, IL10/11/2026 | Very Flat54,382 Finishers |
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Springfield MarathonSpringfield, IL11/07/2026 | Mostly Flat93 Finishers |
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Tunnel Hill MarathonVienna, IL11/14/2026 | Rolling Hills94 Finishers |
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