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Champaign’s Jaime Marcos carves out Illinois Marathon repeat victory

A strong early push propelled Jaime Marcos to his second straight Illinois Marathon victory, finishing over three minutes ahead of the field. Here's a look at the top ten finishers.

CHAMPAIGN - The morning started under heavy clouds, the air crisp with a northwest breeze sweeping across the University of Illinois campus. Runners gathered near the State Farm Center bundled against the chill, puddles from the overnight rain glistening under gray skies. For Jaime Marcos, though, there was little doubt about the task ahead.

A year after claiming his first Illinois Marathon title, Marcos returned Saturday with a mission: defend the crown and leave no doubt. He delivered in dominant fashion, crossing the finish line inside Memorial Stadium in 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 23 seconds — more than seven minutes faster than his 2024 winning time.

Jon Kang of Des Plaines

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Jon Kang runs up the gentle incline on Logan Street in Champaign on his way to a 2:37:31 finish. Hailing from Des Plaines, he finished eighth overall and third in his division.

The Champaign resident of just a year, established his command of the race early, covering the halfway point in 1:10:59, a full two and a half minutes ahead of his pace last spring. By the time the sun finally broke through the clouds an hour into the race, bringing a welcome burst of warmth to the thousands of fans lining the streets of Champaign, Savoy, and Urbana, Marcos was firmly in control.

Martin O’Connell of Madison, Wisconsin, finished second in 2:26:04, while Caleb Kerr of Zionsville, Indiana, secured third just five seconds later at 2:26:09. Both kept tight pace over the flat, fast course but were unable to close the early gap Marcos had built.

Chicago’s Jonnathan Fernandez, 25, claimed fourth place at 2:30:34 — a near-repeat of his strong 2024 performance, where he finished third overall in 2:30:47.

Bailey Roybal, a 21-year-old from Waverly, Iowa, clocked 2:33:04 to round out the top five.

Among the notable returners, Trevor Giampa of Lisle, Illinois, improved on his 2024 finish. The 23-year-old finished sixth Saturday in 2:33:57, trimming nearly six minutes off last year’s 2:39:51 time when he placed seventh.

Brian Martin of Wheaton (2:35:50), Jon Kang of Des Plaines (2:37:31), Lucas Lacambra of Urbana (2:40:30), and Jan Strubar of Chicago (2:40:31) completed the top ten, each navigating the slick early conditions before the course dried under the afternoon sun.

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Brian Martin’s steady stride leads to Top-10 finish at Illinois Marathon

CHAMPAIGN — The day began with a chill.

Brian Martin running in the Illinois Marathon

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Brian Martin runs with a leading pack during the first four miles of his race at the 2025 Illinois Marathon. The forty-six year-old runner from Wheaton finished first in his age division in this year's race.

Heavy clouds loomed low over the University of Illinois campus Saturday morning, holding onto the remnants of an overnight rain that left puddles scattered along the streets of Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy. A northwest breeze swept across the starting line near the State Farm Center, where runners gathered in the cold gray light, adjusting their race bibs and glancing nervously at the wet pavement underfoot.

For Brian Martin, none of it mattered.

At 46, the Wheaton native was no stranger to the unpredictable moods of Midwest springtime. Experience taught him that the weather would shift — and so would the race. All that mattered was finding a rhythm and holding onto it.

By the time the starting horn sounded, Martin had already settled into the mental space that would carry him through 26.2 miles. Patiently, he carved his way through the early packs, mindful of the slick spots left behind by the rain, attentive to the gusts sweeping off the open stretches of campus.

It took him 1:16:34 to reach the halfway point — a strong, measured split — and as the morning wore on, something changed overhead. Almost an hour into the race, the gray ceiling finally cracked, and golden light poured down on the course. The puddles began to dry. The cheers along the sidelines grew louder, as spectators shed jackets and raised signs higher.

Martin, locked into a 5:57 mile pace, found another gear.

Brian Martin running the 2025 Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Martin smiles as he approaches a group of cheering race volunteers during his run.

Through the winding neighborhoods, past the familiar landmarks of campus, and out into the edges of Savoy, he kept his focus forward. Every stride brought him closer not just to the finish line but to a quietly outstanding achievement.

At 2:35:50, Martin crossed onto the 50-yard line inside Memorial Stadium, arms raised slightly in quiet triumph. His performance wasn’t just strong; it was among the very best of the day. Seventh overall out of 894 runners. Seventh among 624 male athletes. First — emphatically — in the men's 45-49 age division, a race within the race.

There were no fireworks at the finish, no extravagant celebrations. Just the satisfaction of a job well done, earned mile after mile, step after step, in a race that tested every runner’s patience early and rewarded resilience late.

The Illinois Marathon has built its reputation on moments like these — not just the victories, but the steady triumphs along the way. Flat, fast, friendly. Scenic where it counts. Midwest hospitality with a runner’s edge. On Saturday, Brian Martin became part of that tradition, conquering cold, wind, and miles to deliver one of the most impressive performances on a course built for those willing to embrace the journey.

Related articles:

Champaign’s Jaime Marcos carves out Illinois Marathon repeat victory

Brian Martin’s steady stride leads to Top-10 finish at Illinois Marathon

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