URBANA - Ryan Somerfield grabs a quick drink while running down Washington Avenue while running in the Illinois Half Marathon in 2023. The 26.2-mile race was canceled for a second year last April because of the lack of available law enforcement staffing from Champaign and Urbana to provide course security and traffic management. The marathon is back in the race lineup in two weeks, along with the half marathon, 10K, and 5K race on Friday. Somerfield, from San Francisco, finished 29th overall and 8th in his age division with 141 male runners 25-29. He completed the course in 1:18:41.
URBANA - If you are an art lover, you don't want to miss the Boneyard Arts Festival this weekend. The festival starts tomorrow evening and features pop-up galleries and displays in Urbana, Champaign, and even Savoy.
"We have over 20 venues that will be within walking distance," says Elsie Hedgspeth, Director of Operations and Outreach at 40 North in a video shot in downtown Urbana. "Any place turn into a gallery or a performance spot for the weekend."
Here is a list of the artists displaying their work at this festival.
Here is a list of locations and the featured artist(s):
Illini Spring Sports Fest
Spend the entire weekend watching college sports at the University of Illinois this weekend. Starting at 3 p.m. tomorrow with the Fighting Illini women's tennis team taking on Indiana University at Atkins Tennis Center, spectators and sports fans can catch the action from four tennis matches, three softball and baseball games, and the Wieneke Memorial Track & Field Meet on Sunday.
We're adding a little extra fun to our Illini Spring Sports Fest this year!
Pick up a punch card from any marketing table, attend events, and earn a prize 🎁
The C-U Soccer Consortium Girls Soccer Showcase, which was scheduled for today at Demirjian Park on the U of I campus, has been postponed due to a persistent pattern of rain expected to pass through the Champaign-Urbana area. The event, which was supposed to feature six teams, has been rescheduled for Sunday starting at noon.
The previously scheduled match between St. Thomas More and University High has been updated. University High shall now be competing against Danville High School at noon. Following the first competition, the Urbana Tigers will engage in battle with the Monticello Sages at 2 p.m. The showcase's ultimate game will feature Big 12 and crosstown rivals Centennial and Central facing each other at 4 p.m.
PONTIAC - People everywhere are conquering their cabin fever and are enjoying the great outdoors after a long, bitter winter. But before you head out for that hike, health care experts remind you to take precautions to avoid tick bites. Read more . . .
I’ve always known my Arab culture is worth celebrating.
I heard it in Syrian tenor Sabah Fakhri’s powerful voice reverberating in my mom’s car on the way to piano lessons and soccer practice during my youth. I smelled it in the za’atar, Aleppo pepper, allspice, and cumin permeating the air in the family kitchen. Read more . . .
CHAMPAIGN - In a show of solidarity against President Donald Trump's trade and immigration policies, which critics say are harming families and retirement savings, more than a thousand protesters gathered Saturday at West Park near downtown Champaign for the Hands-Off! Mobilization rally. Read more . . .
Photo Galleries
A couple of runners found themselves in the wrong race at this year's Illinois Marathon. Over 60 photos from the race that you should see.