Great Western Half Marathon and 10K
Great Western Half Marathon: a flat, fast out-and-back on a historic rail-trail.
Race Date
May 2, 2027
Location
Saint Charles, IL
Quick facts
- Date
- Sunday, May 2, 2027
- Location
- Saint Charles, Illinois
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi)
- Course
- Out & Back
- Terrain
- Mixed
- USATF certified
- Not listed
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
Run the Great Western Half Marathon on the historic Great Western Trail, a crushed-limestone rail-trail that cuts through the wooded countryside west of Chicago. The course is USATF-certified, flat, and out-and-back, making it a prime candidate for a personal best. The race has been drawing about 300 finishers in recent years, with runners coming from around seven states and a loyal repeat rate of 34%.
The small but spirited event is organized by the Fox River Trail Runners, who donate $5 per registration to local mental health charities. The atmosphere is low-key and community-focused, with the finish line offering a medal and the satisfaction of a fast, well-supported run on a beautiful trail.
Race-provided description
Great Western Half-Marathon & 10K
[image: https://foxrivertrailrunners.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-GW-Medal-1024x987.jpg]
THE RACES: Fox River Trail Runners is proud of our 25+ year history of hosting and managing this competitive, flat, out and back half-marathon and 10k on the Great Western Trail that never disappoints! Join us again next year on Sunday May 2, 2027 (Details to Come)! FRTR will donate $5 per participant registration, together with any participant donations above and beyond registration fees, to be split equally among our three local, non-profit mental health charity partners. In 2026 your donations, combined with FRTR’s $5 per registrant donation generated a total of $2,400 for those three Fox Valley local mental health charities! From Rails to Trails – Great Western Trail Facts The Chicago Great Western Railway 1885 to 1968 Public use path 1978 to current! Let your feet hit the limestone and continue the tradition of running/ walking the beautiful western
Course Info
Course Type
Out & Back
Terrain
mixed
Scenery
Forest
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Quality Score
Runner Favorite8821 years running
~302 finishers a year
shrinking
34% returning runners
USATF certified · 3 timing sources · 6 photos
runners from 7 states
winner 1:11:39
typical high 64°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
45°
Afternoon (High)
63°
Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish
0.2"
Precipitation
14 mph
Wind
71%
Humidity
Frequently asked
When is the Great Western Half Marathon and 10K?
The Great Western Half Marathon and 10K is held on Sunday, May 2, 2027.
Where does the Great Western Half Marathon and 10K take place?
It takes place in Saint Charles, Illinois.
What distances does the Great Western Half Marathon and 10K offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles).
Is the Great Western Half Marathon and 10K course flat and good for a PR?
The Great Western Half Marathon and 10K is a ultra-flat, out & back course.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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