September 20, 2026
St. Charles, IL
Races
26.2 Marathon
Great for Veterans and First Time Marathoners
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Course
Fox Valley Marathon’s scenic, shady course weaves through towns, over bridges, past waterfalls, parks, an authentic Dutch windmill, and river paths. A lot of shade will help keep your mind fresh and your body cool as the miles roll by.
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Beautiful, fast, gentle, shady course
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Paved trails along the Fox River
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Convenient suburban Chicago location
With a unique riverside finish, you’ll see and hear the excitement of the crowds for a last mile to remember forever.
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PR Hopefuls
The Fox Valley Marathon’s gentle, shady course make it a great option for a PR on an early fall day.
Water Stations
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First Time Marathoners
An abundance of water stations, low-stress start, outstanding volunteer cheering and support, easy access for friends and family to cheer you on, and a comprehensive spectator guide with 7 easy-access viewing locations and expected runner arrival times make the Fox Valley Marathon perfect for first time marathoners. (Approximately 20% of finishers)
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Flexibility
Race day dropdown options to the 20, 13.1 or 5K give runners the optimal flexibility.
Water, Gatorade, Port-a-potties, and helpful, smiling volunteers will be at 14 stations along the route. Gels will be available at mile 11 and 18 stations. Medical staff will be at select water stations. See the stations in red below.
14 stations (miles 2+, 5, 7+, 9, 11, 12+, 14+, 16, 17+, 19, 21+, 23, 24, 25).
*Online biking routes are not optimized for running. Distances may show longer than the measured course.
Fall Final 20
The perfect training distance for a full marathon or a great option for those ready to move beyond the 13.1.
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Course
The Fall Final 20 is the perfect early fall dress rehearsal for your upcoming marathon. Run on a gentle, fast, shady course through town streets and bike paths along the scenic Fox River. Take advantage of a hassle-free start and make use of our marathon pace groups through mile 14. Towns, bridges, waterfalls, parks, an authentic Dutch windmill, river scenes, and lots of shade will help keep your mind fresh and your body cool as you click off the miles. With a unique riverside finish you’ll see and hear the excitement of the crowds for the last mile of the course to pull you through to your strongest finish ever.
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Training for a fall marathon
Your fall marathon is getting close. It feels like you’ve been training forever and you still need another long training run. Make it a training run to look forward to. Your best marathon will result from your best long training run. The gentle, shaded paved paths along the scenic Fox River are an ideal setting.
Water Stations
Water, Gatorade, Port-a-potties, and helpful, smiling volunteers will be at 11 stations along the route. Gels will be available at the mile 11 station. Medical staff will be at select water stations. See the stations in red below.
11 stations (miles 2+, 5, 7+, 9, 11, 12+, 15, 16+, 17+, 18+).
*Online biking routes are not optimized for running. Distances may show longer than the measured course.
13.1 Half Marathon
Get ready for a gentle, fast, shady river course hard to match anywhere in the country.
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Course
Towns, bridges, waterfalls, parks, an authentic Dutch windmill, river paths, and lots of shade will help keep your mind fresh and your body cool as the miles roll by.
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Beautiful, fast, gentle, shady course
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Convenient suburban Chicago location
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Finish in the middle of the action, before most marathoners
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Ideal for first time half marathoners – typically 30% of finishers
With a unique riverside finish, you’ll see and hear the excitement of the crowds for a last mile to remember forever.
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Great for first-timers
An abundance of water stations (6), outstanding volunteer cheering and support and a comprehensive spectator guide with easy access for friends and family to cheer you on make the Fox Valley Marathon perfect for first time half marathoners.
Water Stations
Water, Gatorade, Port-a-potties, and helpful, smiling volunteers will be at 6 stations along the course. Medical staff will be at select water stations. See the stations in red below.
6 stations (miles 2+,5,7,8+,10+,11+)
*Online biking routes are not optimized for running. Distances may show longer than the measured course.
5K
A beautiful course for walkers or runners
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Amenities
The Fox Valley 5K includes the same great Fox Valley Marathon Races runner amenities such as:
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Finisher medal and food tent access.
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BLING! The Fox Valley 5K qualifies for Fox Valley Marathon Races Endurance medals – consecutive year medals for repeat race finishers. Runners could receive 2 MEDALS (Endurance + Finisher Medal) every CONSECUTIVE year beginning with year 2.
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Ages 6 and up!
*Online biking routes are not optimized for running. Distances may show longer than the measured course.
Virtual
Flexibility participants will love. Run Anytime, Anywhere, September 1-30.
The FVM virtual race option is only available to addresses in the contiguous United States.
Participants must register for or switch to virtual by 11:59 p.m. September 12, 2025.
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The virtual option is designed for runners who want to be an official finisher for multi-year and multi-race awards, but:
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Cannot make it to St. Charles on race day.
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Are not comfortable with an in person race.
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Runners who are unable to maintain the minimum pace requirements for the in-person race.
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Want an alternative option in the event of a bad weather day.
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Packet Pickup
Pick up your packet at the expo or it will be mailed.
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What's in My Packet?
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Race bib (minus beer ticket), finisher medal and race gear, as ordered at the time of registration.
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Endurance medals for repeat race finishers are included in the packet.
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Endurance premiums will not be mailed. 5-Year quarter zip, 8-Year Finisher Medal Rack, 11-12 year glassware and 15 year mug must be picked up in person.
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A Virtual entry is ENDURANCE STREAK INSURANCE
Every year, a handful of runners reach out with a late unexpected conflict after the virtual deadline. Don't be one of them! If your Endurance streak is more important than your online time / age award / drink ticket, guarantee your streak continues by switching to virtual. If you still want to run race day, you can pick up your packet at the expo and run in person with your friends. If weather or conflicts make it a bad day for you, we'll mail your packet with your Endurance medal. Either way, your streak will continue.