and
Half Marathon*
Saturday, September 30, 2023
In Historic Belleville, IL, Near Downtown St. Louis, MO
Please consider supporting our featured charity, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois, by joining their charity team, Team Big Defenders. Scroll down for more information.
We are excited to bring back and grow the very popular Half Marathon race in 2023, in addition to our highly-rated Boston Marathon-Qualifying Full Marathon!
TIME/DATE: Both the full and half marathons will begin at 7 AM on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Full marathon course support ends at 2 PM, and 10:30 AM for the half marathon.
ENTRY FEES:
Full Marathon (an RRCA State Championship Event for 2023!)
Jan 6: $50
Jan 7-10: $65 Jan 11-July 31: $85 Aug 1-Aug 31: $100 Sept 1-Sept 24: $110
Half Marathon (registrations will be capped at 500 participants)*
Jan 6: $45
Jan 7-10: $55 Jan 11-July 31: $75 Aug 1-Aug 31: $90 Sept 1-Sept 24: $100
Online registration is available at itsyourrace.com (click here). Otherwise, cash and checks will be accepted in person at or by mailing a print registration form 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.
FEATURED CHARITY: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois is joining us again as our featured charity! Please consider joining their running team, Team Defenders, to support their mission to ensure that every child in our community can graduate high school with a plan for their future and a mentor whose impact lasts a lifetime. Scroll down for more information on how to be a part of Team Defenders!
2023 COURSE SUPPORT: Water and Gatorade will be available about every 2 miles on the course. Gu also will be available at several locations (check back later for more specific locations).
COURSE: The full and half marathons will begin and end on Main Street near First Street in historic downtown Belleville, IL. The full marathon course is a certified Boston Marathon-qualifying course. The FULL MARATHON will be on about 16 miles of city streets, including America's longest Main Street, and about 10 miles on the St. Clair County Transit District's paved biking/walking trail. The HALF MARATHON will be on city streets, including America's longest Main Street. Full marathon 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. Half marathon particpants must complete the course by 10:30 AM to receive an official race time, although they will be eligible for a medal upon course completion.
AWARDS: For the FULL MARATHON, 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. Due to liability and safety issues, the age limit requirement of being 18 or older will be strictly enforced for the FULL MARATHON.
For the HALF MARATHON, 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: 19 and younger; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; and 70 & older. There is no age limit for the half marathon.
SWAG: All finishers, regardless of placement, will receive a participant medal, and anyone who registers before September 17 is gauranteed an event shirt.
STREAKER AWARD: Participants who ran EACH of the 6 past in-person Belleville Main Street FULL MARATHONS (2016-2019, 2021, 2022) will be recognized with our commemorative Streaker Award. Please ask for your award at packet pickup.
PACKET PICKUP:
10 AM to 6:00 PM on Friday, Sept. 29, at Toolen’s Running Start, 3260 Green Mount Crossing Drive, Shiloh, IL 62269.
5:30 to 6:30 AM on Saturday, Sept. 30, near the start line on Main Street near First Street.
POST-RACE REFRESHMENTS: Post-race refreshments include food from Belleville restaurants; water, Gatorade, and beer; and other goodies from other local businesses.
RACE DAY PICS: Rutster Photography will be capturing professional race-day photographs, which will be available for viewing and purchase at the company's Belleville Main Street Marathon gallery (click here).
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.
The full marathon course is certified as a Boston Marathon-qualifying course. Both races will start and finish on Main Street near First Street in historic downtown Belleville and travel down a portion of America's longest Main Street and other city streets. About 10 miles of the second half of the full marathon will be on the St. Clair Country Transit District's paved biking/walking trail. The half marathon will capped at 500 participants in 2023.
Click here to check out the positive feedback runners have given to the Belleville Main Street Marathon at MarathonGuide.com.
We have helped hundreds of runners from all ability levels to train and finish the Belleville Main Street Marathon.
Check back in late spring for the training schedule and how to register
2023 FEATURED CHARITY
See below for more information on how to support Big Brothers Big Sisters by joining their charity team!
GIVE YOUR MILES MEANING: Run for Team Big Defenders!
We are on a mission to ensure that every child in our community can graduate high school with a plan for their future and a mentor whose impact lasts a lifetime.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois is the oldest, largest and most respected youth mentoring organization in the Metro East and is forming its second annual charity team in the Belleville Main Street Marathon and Half Marathon. Give your miles meaning and run to Defend the Potential of youth across the Metro East by running for Team Big Defenders!
Team members are required to fundraise $250 by race day. In return, we provide you:
• Race entry fee reimbursement (up to $75)
• Weekly group training on Saturday mornings
• Fundraising support and personal website
• Amazon gift cards to top monthly and overall fundraisers
• Official team race singlet
• Post-race team celebration
•An official team cheer station on race day
• Complimentary professional post-race stretch
• Start to finish encouragement and support
• The amazing feeling of Defending the Potential of Metro East youth!
READY TO SIGN UP?
Fill out the interest form here.
Questions? Contact Heather Freed at heatherf@bbbsil.org.
—ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT BELLEVILLE PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND THE BACKSTOPPERS—
Conducted by the Belleville Running Club and Toolen's Running Start
Belleville Running Club
Toolen's Running Start
All proceeds benefit the Belleville Parks and Recreation Department and The Backstoppers.