RRCA Illinois

Help us recognize the service of leaders in the running community by nominating a deserving individual for a 2022 National Running Award. Did your club president do a particularly outstanding job growing your club? Did a certain volunteer step up? Did your group's communications team keep members engaged? Winners will be recognized at the RRCA National Convention in Chicago in March. Learn more and submit a nomination by January 6. https://www.rrca.org/programs/awards/

We're very happy to announce the 2023 Illinois RRCA Championships!

1 Mile Park Avenue Mile, Herrin, May 29

5k This Run's For Jack, Glen Ellyn, October 15

10k Genesis Firecracker Run, East Moline, July 4

10 Mile Run Tunnel Hill 10 Miler, Vienna, November 4

Half Marathon Christie Clinic Illinois Half Marathon, Champaign
Urbana, April 29

Marathon Belleville Marathon, Belleville, September 30

Ultra HOBO Runs, Rockford, September 10

Make your plans to participate at one or more of these great events scattered around Illinois! There's a distance for everyone.

Championship Event Series - Road Runners Club of America

We are pleased to announce the 2023 RRCA Central Region Championship Races, three of them in Illinois:

Kal-Haven Ultra Run Ultra (50K or more) Michigan 4/1/23
Carmel Half Marathon Half Marathon Carmel Indiana 4/8/23
Christie Clinic Illinois 5K 5K Champaign-Urbana Illinois 4/28/23
Lincoln Mile 1 Mile Lincoln Nebraska 7/9/23
Fort2Base Race Other Distance 10 Nautical Miles (11.5 miles) Illinois 8/28/22
Lake Michigan Credit Union Bridge Run 10 Mile Grand Rapids Michigan 9/17/23
TBK Quad Cities Marathon Marathon Moline Illinois 9/24/23
TC 10k 10K St Paul Minnesota 9/30/23

We hope you can join us in participating in these well-organized, quality races and we extend our congratulations to those selected. For more information on the RRCA Championship Race Series, please visit

Championship Event Series - Road Runners Club of America RRCA Championship Event Series RRCA Championship Event Series is the largest grassroots-organized running series in the U.S. RRCA Championship SeriesFind an RRCA National, Regional, or State Championship Event to RunFind an EventRRCA Championship SeriesFind an RRCA National, Regional, or State Champ...

Take advantage of this great discount to enjoy one of the races in April! Set your goals for 2023 now!

It's our best sale of the year, and it's only available TODAY!
💸 Use promotional code CYBERMONDAY20PERCENT to get 20% any event
Register now: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/61599/christie-clinic-illinois-race-weekend-2023/

Great weekend in the Quad Cities at the Quad Cities Marathon! The day long Expo Saturday welcomed 3800
runners to the races which culminated with the TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon, the 2022 Illinois RRCA State Championship!
Congratulations to overall winners Jackson Limo with a time of 2:18:04 and Damaris Areba in 2:30:29, a new course record! The new course over the Interstate 74 Bridge, and through the cities Bettendorf and Davenport before returning to Rock Island, Arsenal Island and Moline in Illinois was filled with helpful, cheering volunteers.
Special thanks to Race Director Joe Moreno, his staff and 1500 volunteers for putting on a professional running event!

Congratulations to the winners of the HOBO Runs 50k, the 2022 Illinois RRCA Championship ULtra! Overall winners were Dustin Parrish, in 4:47:55 and Rachel Brunner in 6:06:25. Other winners were Andrew Pekarske, 5:13:20, 40+, Tim Watson, 5:35:06 and Tammy Colder, 7P:11:59 50+ and Joyce Kortze, 7:07: 22 60+. Congratulations to all the runners and volunteers who helped on a rainy day at Rock Cut State Park!

This Sunday is the last of ten 2022 RRCA Championship Races taking place in Illinois. The Quad Cities Marathon is hosting the Illinois RRCA Championship Marathon September 25! The fun starts on Saturday with the Race Expo at the Vibrant Arena at The Mark in Moline. If you aren't ready to run a marathon, sign up for the 5k or half marathon, both taking place Sunday morning. This is one of the best marathons in the midwest, a quality event celebrating its 25th year! I hope to see you there. Stop by the RRCA booth at the Expo.

A "Good Luck" shoutout to all those running the HOBO Runs this weekend in Rock Cut State Park! And thanks to the Rockford Road Runners and Carol Wilson for hosting the 2022 Illinois RRCA Championship Ultra!

Congratulations to all the runners in the RRCA Central Region Open Championship at the Fort2Base 10 Nautical Mile Run. Special congratulations to Overall Winners Andy Jellema, in 1:06:04 and Kylen Cieslak, in 1:16:53. Other RRCA winners are:

40+ James Weston, 1:18:08
Mandi Florip, 1:24:39

50+ Len Lorentz, 1:18:15
Kim Johnston, 1:26:07

60+ Chang Kim, 1:22:37
Carol Lundahl, 1:49:10

A big thanks to RD Beth Salinger for putting on a fantastic event. Thanks also to RRCA Regional Director Bonnie Sexton for helping with the awards ceremony and to Joe Moreno, Quad Cities Marathon Race Director, for taking photos of the winners. Save the date for next year's Fort2Base, August 27, 2023!

Congratulations to all the runners and walkers who participated in Fort 2 Base on Sunday, August 28th in North Chicago.

The unique, point to point, military themed Nautical 10 (approximately 11.5 miles) served as an RRCA Central Region Championship. The event also featured a Nautical 3 for those looking for a shorter distance.

Thank you to Race Director Beth Salinger and her team, volunteers and partners for this outstanding, well-organized community event honoring the men and women who serve our country.

RRCA was well represented and it was great to see Northern Illinois State Rep Doug Pitchford and many members of the Alpine Runners out in full force supporting the race.

The names of our RRCA Champions will be shared via separate post and again, congratulations to all!

Congratulations to all runners who took part in the Illinois RRCA State Championship 10 Mile Run held at the Alpine Races in Lake Zurich Sunday. Overall winner was Brenden Thielsen, in 55:30 and overall female was Julia Ordzowialy in 1:02:12. Other winners include:

40 Plus
Derek Berube, 56:23
Erica van Heerden, 1:06:38

50 Plus
Trent Fifield, 1:01:04
Angelica Guerrero, 1:14:48

60 Plus
Kelth Holzmueller, 1:10:08
Margaret Dettloff, 1:22:09

Special thanks to the Alpine Runners for hosting this year's 10 Mile Championship!

Congratulations to all the winners and big thanks to the Springfield Road Runners and Race Director Carrie Ward. Thanks for being the RRCA Championship 10k host, both Illinois and Central Region Championship! What an exceptional event and one of my favorite 10k races!

Getting ready for the upcoming RRCA Championship Races in Illinois this late summer and early fall. The Illinois RRCA Championship 10 Mile Run is August 21 in Lake Zurich at the Alpine Races. For a shorter option, consider running Abe's Amble, the RRCA Central Division Regional Championship 10k held August 21 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
The following weekend, the Fort2Base is hosting the
RRCA Central Region Championship Open with the 10 Nautical Mile Run. Join in the fun in North Chicago August 28.
If you prefer a longer distance, then head to Rock Cut State Park, near Rockford, for the HOBO Runs, where the 50K run is the Illinois RRCA Championship Ultra. Race day is September 11.
And if you've looking for a fall marathon, head over to Moline September 25 for the Quad Cities Marathon, the 2022 Illinois RRCA Championship Marathon. Be ready to party as the QCM is celebrating their 20th Anniversary with a new course and some neat surprises.

All four of these are quality runs, put on by fellow runners. I hope to see you at one or more of these championship races!

Spots are available for our in-person Coaching Certification Course in Chicago June 25-26.

Interested in becoming an RRCA Certified Coach? Limited spots are still available for two upcoming in-person courses: Chicago, IL June 25-26 and Clarksburg, MD July 23-24. These are Saturday/Sunday courses that meet from 8 AM - 5 PM both days. For more information and to register for either of these or our three open online courses, visit https://www.rrca.org/programs/coaching-certification/

The following in-person Level I Coaching certification course has been added to the calendar. The two day course will take place from 8am to 5pm on both days in Chicago.

The cost for the two-day certification course is $335* and courses are limited to 35 participants.

Classes tend to fill quickly, so register as soon as possible.

IN-PERSON COURSE
June 25-26, 2022 - Chicago, IL IN PERSON - Central Time
550 N Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611

COVID-19 Protocols: All participants in this course must be fully vaccinated and must submit proof of vaccination prior to arrival via an online link.

For information see:

https://rrca.users.membersuite.com/events/e76e59f0-0078-cc6b-594f-0b43f305e03d/details

Get in before the price increase to enjoy this fun PR race! This is the 2022 RRCA Regional Open Championship Race! Hope to see you there!

Price increase coming tomorrow (Monday June 6th) register today and SAVE!!
https://fort2base.raceentry.com/races/fort2base-run/2022/register

We’re back! That was the shout from race officials at the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend. After a two year absence, Central Illinois' premier running festival took place, minus the marathon, April 29-30. After a two day Expo, runners took part in the Friday night 5k and either a 10k or Half Marathon Saturday morning. The half marathon hosted the 2022 Illinois RRCA Half Marathon Championship. Congratulations to winners David O'Gara, St Louis, who finished in 1:08:37 (5:15 pace) and Julie Wiemerslage, Chicago, who finished in 1:19:50 (6:06 pace)! While it was windy and cloudy at the start, the rain held off for most of the race, giving runners fairly good conditions.

A big "Thank You" to Jan Jan Colarusso Seeley, her staff, and cheerful and helpful volunteers for bringing back running in Champaign/Urbana!

Coaching Certification Program - Road Runners Club of America

If you are interested in the RRCA Coach's Certification classes, new one have been announced:

ONLINE COURSES
May 21-22, 2022 - Roanoke ONLINE - Eastern Time
May 26-27, 2022 - Norfolk ONLINE - Eastern Time
Important note: this course takes place THURSDAY, May 26 and FRIDAY, May 27, 2022
May 28-29, 2022 - Casper ONLINE - Mountain Time

June 11-12, 2022 - Topeka ONLINE - Central Time
June 25-26, 2022 - Tulsa ONLINE - Central Time

July 9-10, 2022 - Mobile ONLINE - Central Time
July 30-31, 2022 - Madison ONLINE - Central Time

August 6-7, 2022 - Phoenix ONLINE - Pacific Time
August 20-21, 2022 - Reno ONLINE - Pacific Time

The above courses will take place entirely ONLINE, and participants do not need to live near or travel to the courses' cities to participate. We continue to use the city-based naming convention for our record-keeping purposes.

IN-PERSON COURSE
June 4-5, 2022 - Terre Haute, IN IN PERSON - Central Time

The above course will take place IN PERSON and may require you to travel.

For more information go to https://www.rrca.org/programs/coaching-certification/

Coaching Certification Program - Road Runners Club of America RRCA Coaching Certification CERTIFIED COACHES PORTAL Since 1998, the RRCA Coaching Certification Program has provided a baseline of education for individuals seeking to become knowledgeable and ethical distance running coaches to work with runners of all ages and abilities. The RRCA Coaching Certifi...

Congratulations Everyone!

In case you haven't heard, next year's Road Runners Club of America is returning to Chicago March 23-26, 2023, culminating with the Shamrock Shuffle. Host hotel is the Palmer House Hilton. Make your plans now to attend!

Great fun returning to the Good Life Race, the 2022 Illinois RRCA State Championship 5k, held in Oak Park Sunday. 700 runners showed up for a great running day with temps in the 30's and 40's. Congratulations to the OA winners Margaret Connelly (17.05) and Johnny Binzak (14.55)! Other RRCA winners were
40+, Columba Montes, (18.41) and Jeremy Ruston (16.09)
50+, Julie Bruns, (21.39) and Lance Caldwell (18.36)
60+, Angelica Guerrero, (20.02) and Janusz Malski (18.40) Big "Thank You" to outgoing Race Director Keith Strom and the Oak Park Running Club!

I am pleased to welcome Bonnie Sexton as the new RRCA Central Region Director. It has been a pleasure serving and spreading the good word of RRCA in the Midwest over the past 8 years. Thank you for your support of the RRCA!

Bonnie resides in Mattawan, Michigan and serves as Board President of the Kalamazoo Area Runners (KAR). She is an RRCA Certified Coach and the Race Director of the Kalamazoo Klassic, the 2022 RRCA National 5k Championship. Her club hosts three events which have served as RRCA State, Regional or National Championship events. Bonnie was selected as the 2013 RRCA Outstanding President of the Year and was a speaker at the 2017 RRCA National Convention in Detroit.. She has run 46 marathons including the Boston Marathon 5 times and still competes locally at distances ranging from the 5k to marathon. Bonnie ran track for two years for Liberty University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resources Management. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Human Resources Management from Mercy College and is currently employed at the Director of Human Resources and Community Relations for MRC Industries, Inc. a non-profit organization providing employment, skill-building and case management services for individuals with disabilities.

Save $10‼️

This is NO APRIL FOOLS JOKE!! Save $10 on the 10 Nautical Mile Event and $5 on the 3 Nautical Mile event, but don't wait these codes are only valid for 48 hours! REGISTER NOW!

10 Nautical Mile code - APRIL10
3 Nautical Mile code - APRIL3

https://fort2base.raceentry.com/races/fort2base-run/2022/register

Celebrate April and save some money on a race you will enjoy

This is NO APRIL FOOLS JOKE!! Save $10 on the 10 Nautical Mile Event and $5 on the 3 Nautical Mile event, but don't wait these codes are only valid for 48 hours! REGISTER NOW!

10 Nautical Mile code - APRIL10
3 Nautical Mile code - APRIL3

https://fort2base.raceentry.com/races/fort2base-run/2022/register

Looking for a great 5k? Next Sunday, April 3 is the Good Life Race, the 2022 Illinois RRCA State Championship 5k. Held in Oak Park, this event is very competitive and very well run, on a fast course through Oak Park. Thanks to Race Director Keith Strom and the Oak Park Runners Club for hosting. Hope to see you there!

Are you heading down to St Louis for the Go St Louis Marathon next weekend? Erica and I will be at the RRCA booth at the Expo on Friday and Saturday, March 31 and April 1, and would like to meet our club members from Southern Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa and other nearby states. We will be raffling off entries for the Belleville Marathon in November, so be sure to stop by.

Just returned from the RRCA National Convention in Orlando, a great time with great weather, great seminars, speakers and friends.
Enjoyed talking with Brad, Scott and Ravi from the Fox River Trail Runners, Jim Doyle from Second Wind Running Club and Jason Friske from Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA)! Congrats to CARA and Dominique Sabbs on receiving the 2021Outstanding Beginning Running Program Award.

Start making your plans for next year's convention which will be held at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago March 23-26, 2023. The convention race will be the Shamrock Shuffle!

What a great way to attend the Fort2Base, the RRCA Central Region Championship Race! How many other races provide such service including packet pickup, breakfast and shuttle race day.
Make your plans now for a definite PR in the 10 Nautical Mile Run August 28.

Take one worry off your race day check list and stay at our host hotel the Courtyard by Marriott Waukegan.
--> Packet waiting for you at check-in
--> Grab and Go breakfast
--> 10 minutes to the shuttle buses
Reservations can be made online at
https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1647531469374&key=GRP&app=resvlink
Or call (888) 236-2427-Please use Group Rate Code: FTBS when booking

With the cancelation of the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon, the Quad Cities Marathon will be the 2022 Illinois RRCA State Championship Marathon. The Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon Half Marathon will be the 2022 Illinois RRCA State Championship Half Marathon. Thank you to both Illinois Marathon Race Director Jan Colarusso Seeley and Quad Cities Marathon Race Director Joe Moreno!

In working with medical and city leaders of Champaign and Urbana, the Christie Clinic Race Weekend organizers have finalized the 2022 Race Weekend plans, which include some important changes that may require action from some of our registrants.

2022 RACE WEEKEND LOGISTICAL CHANGES:

🟠 The 26.2-mile marathon event will NOT be held in 2022. Marathon entrants have received an email with instructions for changing events or receiving a refund.
🟠 The half marathon, relay, and 10K will take place on Saturday, April 30 on a new route, with a new wave start time at 7:33am. Find the new route at illinoismarathon.com
🟠 The Green Street Mile will take place on Friday, April 29 (instead of Thursday, April 28), before the 5K, and be run on First Street, starting at 6:10 p.m. Triple Half-I and Triple Mini-i Challengers will have two races on Friday! (The 5K will take place as planned, starting at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29).
🟠 The Youth Run will start at Noon on Saturday, April 30 (instead of at 3:00 p.m.), inside Memorial Stadium.

2022 RACE WEEKEND COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS:

All 2022 Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend participants age 5 and up who are registered for any event other than the Youth Run must:
🔵 Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a negative PCR COVID-19 test result, with a test administered no earlier than Wednesday, April 27. Participants must submit results by the close of the expo on Friday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m., at late packet pick up on Friday, April 29 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., or at emergency packet pickup on Saturday, April 30 from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Definition of fully immunized: At least 2 weeks have elapsed since you received the second dose of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the single-dose J&J vaccine. If your primary vaccination series was completed more than 5 months ago (2 months ago for J&J), you must also present proof of completed booster dose. For the booster to take full effect, at least two weeks must have passed since you received it.
🔵 If your primary vaccination series is complete, and you are eligible to get the booster but choose not to, you may meet the vaccination requirement by submitting a negative PCR test result, with a test administered no earlier than Wednesday, April 27. Participants must submit results by the close of the expo on Friday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m., at late packet pick up on Friday, April 29 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., or at emergency packet pickup on Saturday, April 30 from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
🔵 If you have not had any vaccination, you may submit a negative PCR test result, with a test administered no earlier than Wednesday, April 27. Participants must submit results by the close of the expo on Friday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m., at late packet pick up on Friday, April 29 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., or at emergency packet pick up on Saturday, April 30 from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
🔵 Wear a mask during the Health & Fitness Expo at the Activities and Recreation Center (subject to change if the University of Illinois lifts this requirement).
🔵 For the Busey Illinois Youth Run, immunization against COVID-19 is encouraged but not required. Full details about the event’s COVID-19 policies can be found on our website: https://bit.ly/3HX2JnE including information about our partnership with SHIELD CU to offer FREE non-invasive saliva COVID-19 PCR testing (no nasal swab) to any race participant; and Bindle, a proof of health platform app designed for privacy, equity, and security, ensuring all race participants can prove their COVID-19 health status without sharing any personal health information.

We are grateful to be able to host our 2022 Race Weekend after a two-year hiatus, and want to ensure the safest event possible for our community! For any additional information, head over to illinoismarathon.com

The 2022 Illinois RRCA State Championship 10 Mile Race is the Alpine Races 10 Mile Run. This year’s race is scheduled for August 21 and starts at Breezewald Park in Lake Zurich. The race course takes runners past Lake Zurich, through the streets of Lake Zurich and Vernon Hills before finishing in the Park. The Alpine Races also include a 5k, Kids Mile Run, and kids fun runs. Fun activities for the whole family.

Quad Cities Marathon

The Quad Cities Marathon is again the site of the Illinois RRCA State Championship Half Marathon.

The Mel Foster Half Marathon takes place on September 25 in Rock Island, as runners cross the Mississippi River into Iowa, running along the river before recrossing the Mississippi to the Rock Island Arsenal Island and then finishing back in Rock Island. Wrapping around the race is the Health and Fitness Expo on Saturday and a great post run party with music, food, beer, and awards. Race Director Joe Moreno and Assistant Race Director Laura (Witty) Wittnebel pull out all the stops to ensure you have a great running experience.

For more information about all the QCN races check out

https://www.qcmarathon.org/

Quad Cities Marathon TBK BANK QUAD CITIES MARATHON:RUN THE RIVER September 24-25, 2022 Register Now! Race Results Welcome to theQuad Cities!The TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon, a USATF Certified and Boston Qualifier course, captures the essence of our nation’s heartland with its consistent connection to the Mississippi ...

spotlight: Tony Reed is the co-founder and executive director of the National Black Marathoners’ Association (NBMA) and a proprietor of the National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame. He’s also the first Black person to have completed a marathon on each of the seven continents. He’s run 132 marathons, including one in all 50 states, and logged over 48,000 miles since 1976. He holds two graduate degrees (management and accounting) and two undergraduate degrees (management and mathematics). He’s taught project management, IT, accounting, and business collegiate courses and seminars. And he’s authored six books and over fifty business, leadership, and technical articles. His adventures are chronicled in Running Shoes are Cheaper Than Insulin: Marathon Adventures On All seven Continents (2008), and his latest book is an autobiography, “From the Road Race to the Rat Race: Essays From a Black Executive Marathoner.” Tony is the director and producer of the soon to be released documentary, Breaking Three Hours: Trailblazing African-American Women Marathoners. The film is about nine amazing women who are National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame honorees that have all run under 3hours for the marathon.

The is excited to welcome Tony into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame as a member of the 52nd class with the official induction ceremony on March 19, 2022.