Overall Rating: Really good marathon Course Difficulty: This is a pretty easy course, not pancake flat, but all runnable. The first half flies by, as it is run along Main … MORE
Overall Rating: Really good marathon
Course Difficulty: This is a pretty easy course, not pancake flat, but all runnable. The first half flies by, as it is run along Main Street, the second half is a little less interesting, but still not bad.
Course scenery: Good for an in town road race. Main Street for about 12 miles and paved bike path for the rest.
Race Production: Great.
An army of volunteers make this an extremely well supported race. A participant will never feel lost, confused, or in danger as the entire road portion is coned and manned. Outstanding.
Race Swag: Nice medal, custom tee, and a special “streaker hat”, all good.
My Performance: Having just completed a 100 miler the week before, I wasn’t sure I would be able to finish. I underestimated the effects of running at altitude for the past 2 weeks, as the first 16 miles went by way to easy. After mile 16 the aches and pains from the 100 caught up with me and I walked a bunch, but all good, was happy with a sub 5 hour finish.
Final notes: This is the closest marathon to home, and I will continue to support it. Even if it weren’t, it is an excellent marathon and a great way to get a run in southern Illinois.
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Another good Belleville Marathon
Overall Rating: Really good marathon Course Difficulty: This is a pretty easy course, not pancake flat, but all runnable. The first half flies by, as it is run along Main … MORE
Overall Rating: Really good marathon
Course Difficulty: This is a pretty easy course, not pancake flat, but all runnable. The first half flies by, as it is run along Main Street, the second half is a little less interesting, but still not bad.
Course scenery: Good for an in town road race. Main Street for about 12 miles and paved bike path for the rest.
Race Production: Great.
An army of volunteers make this an extremely well supported race. A participant will never feel lost, confused, or in danger as the entire road portion is coned and manned. Outstanding.
Race Swag: Nice medal, custom tee, and a special “streaker hat”, all good.
My Performance: Having just completed a 100 miler the week before, I wasn’t sure I would be able to finish. I underestimated the effects of running at altitude for the past 2 weeks, as the first 16 miles went by way to easy. After mile 16 the aches and pains from the 100 caught up with me and I walked a bunch, but all good, was happy with a sub 5 hour finish.
Final notes: This is the closest marathon to home, and I will continue to support it. Even if it weren’t, it is an excellent marathon and a great way to get a run in southern Illinois.
Streak Race
Nothing new to add, see previous raves for this race. It is a good hometown race with wonderful support. Will plan to run as long as they host it. MORE
Nothing new to add, see previous raves for this race. It is a good hometown race with wonderful support. Will plan to run as long as they host it.
Streak Race
Nothing new to add, see previous raves for this race. It is a good hometown race with wonderful support. Will plan to run as long as they host it. MORE
Nothing new to add, see previous raves for this race. It is a good hometown race with wonderful support. Will plan to run as long as they host it.
Great Race!
A smaller event with great course support, aid stations and volunteers! Swag was ok. Post race had great food and drinks. Still waiting for race pics. They can be purchased … MORE
A smaller event with great course support, aid stations and volunteers! Swag was ok. Post race had great food and drinks. Still waiting for race pics. They can be purchased from photographer for an obscene amount.
Happy that this race happened
Overall Rating: Good run on a nice day. Course Difficulty: The course changed from previous years due to covid restrictions imposed by the city, so it was a more challenging … MORE
Overall Rating: Good run on a nice day.
Course Difficulty: The course changed from previous years due to covid restrictions imposed by the city, so it was a more challenging course, particularly on the hilly second half. All but about 2 miles of the course was run on the Metro rail trail which runs alongside the public rail system, and 100% paved.
Course Scenery: Not great, it was really just the backside of buildings, rail lines, and a local college campus’ parking lots, but it was fine. The one reprieve was a nice wooded shady area that went for 5 or 6 miles.
Race Production: Good. Packet pickup was easy, the aid stations were as expected, and there were plenty of volunteers.
Race Swag: This one is a little odd. The quality of the shirt and medal were good, I just didn’t (still don’t understand what they are). Maybe because I’m not from the community, or its an inside kind of knowledge…but I don’t get it.
My Performance: Surprisingly good, much in part to the weather I suspect.
Final notes: Didn’t think this race was going to happen, but the team was able to pull it off. Really happy about that.
Virtual Run
Virtual run with my wife to support the RD and Belleville Main Street team during the COVID downturn. Nice to be able to run a marathon with Debbie! MORE
Virtual run with my wife to support the RD and Belleville Main Street team during the COVID downturn. Nice to be able to run a marathon with Debbie!
Another good Belleville run...
Overall Rating: Excellent. Good. Course Difficulty: Just enough uphill and downhill to keep it interesting. Course Scenery: Nice city main street and tour of local neighborhoods. Race Production: Really good. … MORE
Overall Rating: Excellent. Good.
Course Difficulty: Just enough uphill and downhill to keep it interesting.
Course Scenery: Nice city main street and tour of local neighborhoods.
Race Production: Really good. Aid stations had water, electrolytes, and fruit, plenty of restrooms, lots of course marshals and local PD to give direction.
Race Swag: Gloves for the streakers this year, good race medal and ultra soft tee.
My Performance: Was shooting for 5hrs and got 4:58…so slow, but predictable.
Just a straightforward, good run. No issues and no surprises. This is a marathon only, so no other races to cause any kind of confusion.
A pretty day for a run
Overall Rating: Very good. Course Difficulty: Easy. A few rolling hills, but overall very easy. There is one section (about 6 miles) that is really long, hot, and lonely...you'll just … MORE
Overall Rating: Very good.
Course Difficulty: Easy. A few rolling hills, but overall very easy. There is one section (about 6 miles) that is really long, hot, and lonely…you’ll just have to struggle through it; otherwise a super easy run.
Course Scenery: As expected, a foot tour of Belleville, IL. Better than inner city industrial parks, not as good as the mountains of Colorado.
Race Production: Outstanding. Race day packet pickup was a breeze, race started on time, all aid stations were exactly as advertised, and post race food was excellent.
Race Swag: Medal was much better this year, and long sleeve shirt was a great color and design.
My Performance: I struggled for the first 7 miles, my legs just haven’t ever recovered from the New England races this summer, after that I probably ran the fastest 10 miles I’ve ever done, and then I hit a wall at mile 18 that just wouldn’t let go. It was ok, I would have liked a PR, but wasn’t willing to get injured to get it.
Final notes: I plan to run this race every year. It is a close race for me, and I definitely want to support the hometown races. Enjoy seeing it get better and better. Hats off to the Belleville Running Club and Toolen’s Running Start.
Fantastic race!!!
What a wonderful event! And I think what's most impressive is that they do it all at a crazy inexpensive price ($65). The fact that it was a marathon ONLY … MORE
What a wonderful event! And I think what’s most impressive is that they do it all at a crazy inexpensive price ($65). The fact that it was a marathon ONLY event makes all the difference. It was so nice to have all of the emphasis on the marathon and not the half. The volunteers were exceptional. The course was just right with a few small hills, but nothing terrible. And the finish line spread was impressive with bbq by Beast Craft BBQ.
Well organized & well supported race!
Course is mostly flat, very fast course & will have tons of community support. Run down one of America’s longest main streets & through beautiful neighborhoods where groups compete to … MORE
Course is mostly flat, very fast course & will have tons of community support. Run down one of America’s longest main streets & through beautiful neighborhoods where groups compete to have the best cheering section! It’s well-organized & very well-supported! Plus, you’ll find amazing good & a free shower at the finish line! Great value for your money!
Keeps getting better
Overall Rating: Excellent. No issues whatsoever. Killer BBQ at the end. Course Difficulty: A few hills, but overall flat and fast. Course Scenery: Enough historic scenery to keep from getting … MORE
Overall Rating: Excellent. No issues whatsoever. Killer BBQ at the end.
Course Difficulty: A few hills, but overall flat and fast.
Course Scenery: Enough historic scenery to keep from getting bored.
Race Production: Perfect. Great aid stations, plenty of restrooms, lots of course marshals and local PD to give direction.
Race Swag: Didn’t like this years medal as well, but still good quality stuff. Also got socks, sunglasses, and shirt…
My Performance: Almost a PR, just couldn’t get my lazy rear in gear…
This was my first repeat race, and my home marathon (2 hrs away), so…excellent!!! Oh, and I got to sleep in my own bed the night before…even better!
Great inaugural marathon
-Aid stations plentiful and well stocked -Neighborhoods along course were full of encouraging spectators -Hot (typical for Southern Illinois in September) -Good run with relatively small crowd to get Illinois … MORE
-Aid stations plentiful and well stocked
-Neighborhoods along course were full of encouraging spectators
-Hot (typical for Southern Illinois in September)
-Good run with relatively small crowd to get Illinois checked off the list
-Swag was good, particularly for their first attempt