Starved Rock Country Marathon – Ottawa, IL 2026

Back for a 12th year, the 2026 Starved Rock Country Marathon and Half Marathon, 5K and now 10K have become the "must do" events of the running community in central Illinois. The Marathon course will again encompass the scenery of the Illinois River, the neighborhoods of Ottawa, and the rolling landscapes in and around Starved Rock State Park. Runners will be inspired by the scenery of rolling country hills and natural rock formations tucked into heavily wooded areas created by the Illinois River thousands of years ago. This record eligible marathon course has 16 aide stations with Gatorade at each station and we plan to stock one station for the half and two for the marathon with GU. Runners participating in the Half Marathon, which starts in the heart of Starved Rock State Park, will experience the neighborhoods of Ottawa in addition to wooded scenery and sites along the Illinois River. The Half Marathon is a flat, fast course making for a nice run through country and city alike. Each