Marathon runners racing along an outdoor course

SWPMarathon brings 12,000 runners to the streets of Springfield every November. Whether it's your first 5K or your tenth 42.2, we give you a fast course, a loud crowd and a finish line worth the miles.

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Every Mile Tells
Your Story.

Race day · Sunday, 15 Nov 2026

38Days
05Hours
20Minutes
33Seconds

Our Races

Six distances, one start line. Pick the challenge that fits where you are today.

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Two runners celebrating under a cooling spray Full Marathon

42.2 km

Start 6:30 AM · 6-hour cut-off

 Three runners on a trail section of the course Half Marathon

21.1 km

Start 7:00 AM · 3.5-hour cut-off

 Runner on a dirt road under clear skies 10K Run

10 km

Start 8:15 AM · 2-hour cut-off

 Runner in a blue tracksuit on a green path 5K Fun Run

5 km

Start 8:15 AM · Walkers welcome

 Athlete wearing a race bib running on a dirt path Kids Dash

1 km

Start 10:30 AM · Ages 4–11

 Two runners on a rugged footpath Wheelchair

42.2 km

Start 6:25 AM · Dedicated lane

 Runner on a countryside trail Relay

4 × 10.5 km

Start 6:30 AM · Teams of four
Two runners sharing a joyful moment during the race
14th edition in 2026

A race built by runners, for runners

SWPMarathon started in 2013 with 400 people and a hand-painted finish banner. Today it's the biggest community run in central Illinois, but we still plan it the same way: every water station, every mile marker and every volunteer shift is decided by people who race it themselves.

We keep the course flat, the aid stations close and the atmosphere loud, so you can focus on what you came for.

  • 12,000+Runners each year
  • 1,800Volunteers on course
  • $2.4MRaised for local charities
Join the 2026 Race

Why runners come back

The details you notice at kilometre 35 are the ones we plan hardest.

Fast, flat course

Only 38 m of total elevation gain. A certified Boston qualifier with pacers from 3:00 to 5:30.

Aid every 2.5 km

Water, electrolytes and gels at 17 stations, plus medical tents staffed by Springfield General.

Medal & finisher pack

A cast-metal finisher medal, technical tee and recovery meal waiting at the line.

Live chip timing

Friends can track your splits in real time, and your official results arrive by text within minutes.

Race day schedule

Everything happens at Lincoln Park. Arrive early, drop your bag, and warm up with the crowd.

  1. Gates & bag drop open

    Lincoln Park, North Entrance

  2. Full marathon & wheelchair start

    Wave A to Wave D, 5 minutes apart

  3. Half marathon start

    Same start line, separate corrals

  4. 10K & 5K fun run start

    Families and walkers welcome

  5. Kids Dash & awards

    Main stage, with live music until 1 PM

Runners on the forest stretch of the route
42.2 kmLoop course
38 mElevation gain
17Aid stations

Registration & entry fees

Early-bird pricing ends 15 October 2026. Every entry includes chip timing, a race tee and a finisher medal.

5K Fun Run

$35/ runner

  • Chip-timed result
  • Cotton event tee
  • Finisher medal
  • Walkers and strollers allowed
Register for 5K

10K Run

$55/ runner

  • Chip-timed result
  • Technical race tee
  • Finisher medal
  • Post-race recovery meal
Register for 10K
Most popular

Half Marathon

$85/ runner

  • Chip-timed result with splits
  • Technical race tee
  • Cast-metal finisher medal
  • Pace groups every 10 minutes
Register for Half

Full Marathon

$120/ runner

  • Certified qualifying course
  • Technical tee & finisher jacket
  • Premium finisher medal
  • Free race-day photos
Register for Full
Runner training on a rural path

Free 16-week training plans

Beginner, intermediate or chasing a PR – get a week-by-week plan written by our coaching team, plus Saturday group runs from Lincoln Park.

Beginner Intermediate Advanced
Get My Plan

What finishers say

I qualified for Boston here by 40 seconds. The 3:30 pacer talked me through the last 5K and I'll never forget it.
Marcus Webb Full Marathon, 3:29:20
My first ever half. The crowd on Maple Avenue was so loud I forgot my legs hurt. Already registered again.
Priya Nair Half Marathon, 2:14:05
We did the 5K as a family with our twins in the stroller. Well organised, safe and genuinely fun.
The Alvarez family 5K Fun Run
Aid stations exactly where you need them and volunteers who actually cheer. Best-run 10K in the state.
Daniel Okafor 10K Run, 48:12
The wheelchair start gets its own clear lane and a real crowd at the finish. It felt like our race too.
Hannah Brooks Wheelchair, 1:58:40

Supported by local partners

From the blog

Training advice, course previews and runner stories.

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Questions before you run

Can't find your answer? Email us at contact@example.com.

Where do I collect my race bib?

Bib pickup runs at the Race Expo, Springfield Convention Centre, on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November from 10 AM to 7 PM. Bring photo ID and your confirmation email.

Can I transfer my entry to another runner?

Yes. Transfers are free until 1 November 2026 from your runner dashboard. After that date, entries can be deferred to 2027 for a $15 fee.

Is there a minimum age?

Runners must be 18 for the full marathon, 16 for the half and 12 for the 10K. The 5K and Kids Dash are open to all ages with a guardian.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The race goes ahead in rain or cold. In the case of lightning or extreme heat, we'll send updates by text and email on race morning.

Get in touch

Questions about registration, volunteering or sponsorship? Our race office replies within one working day.