Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend is a success

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) -- After five years without the full marathon, Central Illinois residents took the top spots in the 26.2 mile race.

Jaime Marcos of Charleston, Ill. was victorious in the men’s marathon, clocking in at 2:29:46.

Alexis Dorsey of Champaign, Ill. was first in the women’s marathon with a time of 2:57:58.

Thousand of runners took part in the 15th annual race weekend. Race officials say, more than 10,000 people were registered for the originally scheduled races.

Participants ran through the University of Illinois campus, downtown streets, residential neighborhoods and a paved park trail.

Runners wrapped up their races at the unique finish line located at the 50-yard line of Memorial Stadium.

Due to a situation on campus, local law enforcement resources were diverted and this resulted in the cancellation of the 5K on Friday.

This left race organizers unclear if the Saturday morning running events would continue as planned. Late Friday night, the Cities of Champaign and Urbana received notification that they would be receiving additional support from Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois State Police.

Organizers were able to pull together the law enforcement staff needed to hold a safe and successful event.

“This year’s theme, ‘Reunited,’ resonates even more after the uncertainty we experienced yesterday evening. It was already going to be a meaningful event with the reinstatement of our marathon distance,” said Jan Seeley, race director of Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend. “Knowing that we came so close to being unable to run today, we are immensely grateful that our very special reunion could take place out on the course today after all.”

The Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend continues to assist in fundraising efforts for the local community.

Since its inception, it has donated $1.734 million to charities in the community and generated an estimated $6 million in economic impact annually.