Whether you are embarking on your first half marathon, looking for a scenic Fall race, or a great warm-up race for the Chicago, Milwaukee and Twin Cities Marathons, this is the race for you! The Half Madness Half Marathon will begin at 7 am in downtown Batavia, Illinois. Our race …
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Whether you are embarking on your first half marathon, looking for a scenic Fall race, or a great warm-up race for the Chicago, Milwaukee and Twin Cities Marathons, this is the race for you!
The Half Madness Half Marathon will begin at 7 am in downtown Batavia, Illinois. Our race route is a mix of flat to rolling terrain that will bring athletes through the beautiful Batavia and along the winding Fox River. This course is designed for athletes from beginners to the experienced, while presenting a challenging and scenic trip through the Fox River Valley. Our race is very spectator friendly, offering several viewing point where runners can see their supporters within walking distance of downtown. Our volunteers are second to none, and we include well stocked aid stations throughout the course.
As a participant in the Half marathon, each athlete will receive a technical t shirt, a finishers medal, and a ticket to our post race party with food and drink. The Half Madness Half Marathon is an USATF certified race.
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Great suburban race near Chicago
I ran this race for two reasons: a friend had raved about it, and I needed an August race to avoid going cold turkey. It didn't disappoint. Although the time … MORE
I ran this race for two reasons: a friend had raved about it, and I needed an August race to avoid going cold turkey. It didn’t disappoint. Although the time of year means that it will likely be a little muggy at the start, the heat was manageable. There are some hills to contend with but the last two miles are a slight downhill, which should make for a fast finish. The post-race party also features pizza and craft beers, and the medal doubles as a bottle opener.
An above-average suburban half marathon
I ran this race in 2012 -- its timing makes it a very convenient tune-up race for some of the bigger fall marathons out there. I'll get right down to … MORE
I ran this race in 2012 — its timing makes it a very convenient tune-up race for some of the bigger fall marathons out there.
I’ll get right down to it, I drank a 6-pack of beer *during* this race en route to a sub-2 hour finish, and so my experience is bound to be very different from that of others. I remember aid stations coming every 2 miles or so, enthusiastic volunteers, and a mostly flat course that runs through various neighborhoods in suburban Batavia. The last long section of the course ran on some shaded, hard-pack trails, and that was a very nice way to end the race.
The post-race spread in 2012 featured lots of Domino’s pizza and as much Sam Adams as you could drink, and the cool medal doubles as a bottle opener. This is a race that I’d like to run again down the road.