2027 Quad Cities Running Festival

The Quad Cities Running Festival takes runners on a scenic, point-to-point journey along the Great River Trail, hugging the Mississippi from Port Byron to East Moline, Illinois. The course is flat and fast, making it a prime candidate for a personal best, with median finishing times around 1 hour 9 minutes. Recent editions have drawn roughly 230 finishers, with over a third returning year after year—a testament to its welcoming, low-key appeal.

Starting on Memorial Day morning, the route follows the river with views of the water and the historic Quad Cities skyline. The small field keeps the atmosphere intimate and community-driven, with local volunteers manning aid stations and cheering at intersections. The finish line in East Moline offers a modest post-race gathering where runners can compare notes on their smooth, fast times. For those seeking a well-organized, no-frills half with a true river-town character, this festival delivers.