Half Marathon races near Carbondale

The Fly with the Eagles Half Marathon is a virtual summer half marathon originating from Southern Illinois. Participants have from mid-July to mid-August to run 13.1 miles, allowing the race to be completed outdoors, on a treadmill, on a cooler day, or after dark. There is no set course, starting line, or common finish area. The structure emphasizes flexibility: participants select their own route and time, pay a small registration fee, and get a finisher medal mailed after the event period concludes. Early registrants also receive a race tank top.

The Rend Lake Marathon, held in late March, takes place at North Marcum Beach near Benton, southern Illinois. Participants can select a full marathon, half marathon, or quarter marathon, accommodating Boston Marathon hopefuls, regular half-marathoners, and those seeking a shorter lakeside run. The marathon course is USATF certified and serves as a Boston Marathon qualifier. The route combines paved trails, segments of a bike path, and undulating country roads surrounding Rend Lake, a 18,900-acre lake with an additional 20,000 acres of adjacent land. Runners will pass South Sandusky Beach, the marina, the Rend Lake Visitors Center, and the spillway, offering lake vistas throughout the race and sections near Lake Hamilton and Lake Benton. All participants conclude at North Marcum Beach. Marathon and half-marathon runners will be transported to their respective starting points. Each distance features a unique finisher medal with a magnetic clasp for connection.