Every year around April, roads are blocked off, hotels fill up and Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend blazes through Champaign-Urbana. But Race Weekend is more than just a series of races: it’s a celebration.
Every year, a theme is chosen for the event to embody. This year, that theme is “Tradition and Triumph,” with the words emblazoned on the goodies and shirts provided to all race participants.
The Illinois Marathon was held for the first time in Champaign in 2009. It was formerly owned by race director Mark Knutson, who was based in Fargo, North Dakota. On Sept. 24, 2010, Christie Clinic, along with six other local buyers, purchased the event from Knutson.
According to a statement from the buyers, the intent was to increase the uplifting effect of the event on the community by having Race Weekend locally owned and operated.
Christie Clinic is the title sponsor of Race Weekend. According to their website, Christie Clinic was established in Champaign in 1929 and is one of the largest physician-owned group medical practices in Illinois.
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This year, Race Weekend spans from April 24-26. The full marathon, marathon relay, half-marathon, wheelchair half-marathon, 10k, 5k, youth run, mile, I-Challenges and virtual race options are all offered.
“This event shines such a bright light on our community that people like to come out and out of their homes and tailgate on the front yard and cheer on the runners,” said Jan Seeley, Race Weekend director.
According to Seeley, the entire community comes together to empower the runners and take part in this beloved annual event. Aside from the races themselves, Race Weekend is also home to annual fundraisers and other hands-on opportunities to make a difference in the community.
This includes a program called Kicks for CU Kids, which is a non-profit organization that provides free shoes and socks to local kids who are training for the 5k, youth run or half-marathon. According to Seeley, the non-profit provides an opportunity that would be otherwise unattainable.
“Without that support, they wouldn’t be able to do it,” Seeley said.
According to public relations director Meg Treat, $1.846 million has been donated to charities in the community since the marathon’s inception in 2009 through sponsorships, registrations and more.
According to Seeley, another way to give back to the community was by registering for a free hands-only CPR training session, which took place Friday at Memorial Stadium. Christie Clinic had already hosted six free CPR training sessions.
For some participants, Race Weekend is an opportunity to realize personal goals. Cameron Kucaba, sophomore at the College of DuPage, has been running for over a year and a half. Running her first half marathon last summer inspired her to take on a whole marathon.
“I think just the challenge of it really excited me,” Kucaba said. “If you had told me a couple years ago that I would be running a marathon — or running at all — I would’ve said you’re crazy.”
“I think you define your triumph, and I think that’s like, the mindset that I’m going with this weekend,” Kucaba said. “My success is my own thing, and I’m going to be proud of myself no matter what happens.”
Kucaba is one of many who travel to C-U for the marathon. New York City native Dr. Shantusha Narain, M.D., also noted a very personal connection to Race Weekend.
“It’s not only about students,” Narain said. “It’s not only about staff. It’s not even only about the campus. It’s just Champaign-Urbana and Illinois in general. People are so nice and pleasant here. Everyone is willing to help.”
According to Narain, the strong sense of community is what pulled her to keep traveling from New York to Champaign. She had participated in the marathon for the first time in 2022 as part of a study abroad program to prepare for her medical boards exam.
She notes that despite no longer being a part of her study abroad program, she still feels connected to the C-U area. After passing her medical boards and earning her degree, she feels that she owes part of her success to the encouraging environment she found within C-U.
“Because of them, I got to know the marathon, and now, from the marathon, I got to know the area, and I created all these memories,” Narain said.
This strong sense of excitement and support is felt through the community as Race Weekend draws near. Signs bearing phrases such as “Welcome, marathon runners!” can be found throughout both cities.
“The Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend is more than a race: it’s a celebration of perseverance, health and community spirit,” Seeley said.
