Runners race down Washington Street in Urbana during the 2023 Illnois Marathon. The marathon course on the Champaign side has changed for this year's race.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
URBANA - This year's Illinois Marathon is just a little more than three weeks away and there is something you should know. The course on the Champaign side has changed. A four-mile section of Prospect Avenue starting at Armory south to Curtis Road will be utilized as part of the marathon's course from approximately 9:08 a.m. until 1:05 p.m. on Saturday (see map below).
Vehicle traffic in both northbound lanes will remain open for the duration of the race. Southbound car traffic will be reduced to the left-hand lane only from Armory to Curtis Road while marathon competitors will run south in the right-hand lane. If you routinely travel east or west on Curtis Road, Windsor, or Kirby Ave on Saturday mornings, you can also expect a major delay. You can avoid the race day traffic and road closures by using the traffic beltway to make your way to your destination going to the north side of the twin cities to the south, or vice-versa. According to the information provided on the Illinois Marathon website, road clousures for destinations north of Illinois Street in Urbana should be lifted by 10:55 a.m.
Spectators along the marathon route motivate runners as they pass by on McHenry Street in Urbana. This year's race will be held on April 27.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
