We are excited to be back racing in person and to see you, our participants, again!  Although our race will look quite different this year to ensure the safety of our participants and volunteers and to properly staff the course, we are celebrating that we are moving forward with in-person races, including the Belleville Main Street Marathon. Yay! Join us in this refreshing moment of being able to race with others again!

TIME/DATE: Race starts at 7 AM on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Course support ends at 2 PM. NOTE: The 2021 course has been modified significantly to ensure participant and volunteer safety and ensure the course is staffed appropriately. At this time the course has not been certified, and we are exploring that option. See the COURSE section below.

SAFETY MEASURES: We will comply with all federal/state/local safety measures regarding COVID-19, which may include social distancing, staggered starts, and participants providing their own hydration/energy gels. We will update participants on our course support and safety measures up until race day, depending on current guidelines for holding events safely.

ENTRY FEE: $65 through August 31, then $75 during the month of September. Online registration is available at itsyourrace.com (click here). Otherwise, cash and checks will be accepted in person at or by mailing to Toolen’s Running Start, 3260 Green Mount Crossing Dr., Shiloh, IL 62269. Make checks payable to the Belleville Running Club. Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, except in the event that the race is cancelled by the organizers due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The race has received preliminary approval, which is contingent on state/local guidelines regarding event reopenings in the state of Illinois.

2021 COURSE SUPPORT:  (Updated information: Per COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, the 2021 course will include 7 water stations that will be located at about every 2 miles of the race). We will continue to update participants on our course support and safety measures up until race day, depending on current guidelines for holding events safely.

COURSE: The race begins and ends on Main Street between Illinois 159 and First Street in historic downtown Belleville, IL, and for the 2021 race, the course will primarily be held on the St. Clair County Transit District’s paved biking/walking trail. At this time the course has not been certified, and we are exploring that option. The 2021 course is on open trails and roads, and participants must be at mile 13 by 10:23 AM or they will be transported by an official race vehicle to another point on the course and allowed to cross the finish line with an unofficial time and to receive a finisher medal.

AWARDS: The top 3 overall male and female finishers; top male and female master finishers; and top male and female wheelchair finishers will receive awards as will the top 3 male and female finishers in each of the following age divisions: 18-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; and 70 & older. All finishers, regardless of placement, will receive a participant medal. Due to liability and safety issues, the age limit requirement of being 18 or older will be strictly enforced.

STREAKER AWARD: Participants who ran EACH of the 4 past IN-PERSON Belleville Main Street Marathons (2016-2019) will be recognized with our commemorative Streaker Award. The award will be available at packet pickup.

PACKET PICKUP:

10 AM to 7 PM on Friday, Sept. 24, at Toolen’s Running Start, 3260 Green Mount Crossing Drive, Shiloh, IL 62269.

5:30 to 6:30 AM, Saturday, Sept. 25, at First and Main Streets in Belleville, IL.

FOR MORE INFO: Visit bellevillemarathon.com. For specific questions, e-mail info@bellevillemarathon.com or contact Toolen’s Running Start at 618-628-9898 or www.runningstartsports.com.