On April 11, the inaugural running of the Illinois Marathon will have the streets of Champaign-Urbana choked with people wearing tiny shorts. In addition to the 26.2-mile character builder, there’s also a half marathon, 5k Fun Run/Walk, marathon relay and shorter races for the kids.
The race begins near the Assembly Hall at 8 a.m. From there, the courses range over hill and dale through the U of I campus, the arboreal beauty of Urbana, and the shin-rattling brick streets of downtown Champaign. Over 3,000 runners from eight states have signed up so far. Those who don’t drop out or stop for a beer will cross the finish line in Memorial Stadium. While the possibility of collapsing on the 50-yard line is tempting, I have neither the lungs nor the stamina for a five-block run, let alone a marathon.
If you are like me, who will run only if chased, you can still get involved. In the days leading up to the marathon, organizers will need hundreds of local volunteers in a myriad of areas: stuffing informational packets, testing chips for the automatic timing system, manning the registration/welcome booths, and many others. Race day will require just as many general volunteers, but the largest need will be for traffic control. The marathon course is new, so traffic control volunteers will have to stand along the route to guide the runners and direct traffic.
Those interested in helping out can sign up and choose their shifts on the marathon’s website. It’s easy; I did it. If you can scrounge up a few friends, volunteer as a group. There might even be a free t-shirt in it for you. At the very least, show up on race day and cheer on the runners from the sidelines.
To the masochistic athletes, the marathon course is a certified Boston Marathon qualifier. Race registration is open on the website or you can download the forms and register by mail. Detailed course maps are also available for viewing on the website, along with information about the events leading up to and after the race.
Marathon organizers anticipate between 5,000 to 6,000 participants will show up for the race. Show them how the townies roll. Volunteer to help out or register to run in the first Illinois Marathon. How else are you going to get on the 50-yard line of Memorial Stadium without suiting up for practice? Charging the field does not count.