Great Western Half Marathon

Great Western Half Marathon is held in Sycamore, Illinois, on May 2, 2027, with a half marathon (13.1 miles) and a 10K, both starting at 7:15 a.m. The half marathon is a USATF-certified course, IL-051108-JW, run on the Great Western Trail. The route is mostly flat and mixes surfaces: 37 percent asphalt and 63 percent crushed limestone. Split times are posted at several points along the way, and six aid stations serve water and Gatorade. The course stays open until 11:00 a.m. Strollers, dogs, walkers, inline skates, and bikes are not allowed in the race.

A flat, certified half marathon on a rail-trail is about as friendly a setting as you will find for a personal best, and the limestone sections are gentler on the legs than pavement without slowing you down much. Because the course is so even, the main risk is going out too hard, so pick a target pace and hold it through the first 6 miles. A 12- to 16-week build with a weekly long run reaching 10 to 12 miles will get you there comfortably.