Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon
The Lowdown
The Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon is Champaign-Urbana's flagship marathon, first run in 2009 as the first marathon ever held in Champaign and now anchoring race weekend on April 24, 2027. The course starts near the State Farm Center, winds through the University of Illinois campus, loops through Urbana, cuts back through Champaign, and heads south to Savoy before finishing on the 50-yard line of Gies Memorial Stadium. With only about 85 feet of total elevation change, the route is flat and fast, drawing runners chasing Boston-qualifying times. Marathon entrants must be at least 17 years old on race day and have 6 hours to finish before sag wagons return stragglers to the stadium. The full marathon distance returned in 2024 after a three-year pause, and the full race weekend -- which also includes a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and youth events -- drew roughly 11,000 total participants in 2025. Christie Clinic has served as title sponsor since 2009.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Medium-sized race
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
Boston Qualifier
This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.
State Farm Center
University of Illinois campus
Gies Memorial Stadium
Downtown Urbana
Savoy
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Champaign, Urbana & Savoy, Illinois
US
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Marathon participants must be at least 17 years old on race day
Required Documents
- Government-issued photo ID for in-person packet pickup
Entry Methods
- Online registration via RaceRoster through the official website
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Entry fees are non-refundable, but transfers between events or between participants are permitted
Registration insurance available at a flat 12% rate
Established in 2009 as the first marathon held in Champaign; Christie Clinic has been title sponsor since 2009
Full marathon distance was paused 2021-2023 due to staffing challenges and returned in 2024
The full race weekend (marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, wheelchair, relay, youth events) drew approximately 11,000 total participants in 2025
Current course records: 2:18:11 (men), 2:36:51 (women)
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Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
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