Rend Lake Marathon 2027

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.