The Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon has been put under new ownership as of Sept. 24, 2010.

Mark Knutson, owner and executive director of the marathon, made a purchase agreement with a group of community members.

“The timing was good for me from a personal standpoint,” said Knutson. “There were interested parties so it seemed like a good time.”

According to a press release, Kuntson had never intended to sell the event when it was first started.

“We put together a local group to buy it so it could be locally owned,” said Jan Seeley, co-director of the marathon and one of the six people who, along with Christie Clinic, purchased the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon.

The seven local buyers include Jan Seeley, Mike Lindemann, Tom Coleman, Jedd Swisher, Greg Reynolds, Blaise Aguirre and Christie Clinic. All buyers have held an active role in the race over the past three years.

“As the title sponsor of the marathon and half-marathon, we’ve seen firsthand the impact this event has on the Champaign-Urbana community,” said Alan Gleghorn, Christie Clinic Chief Executive Officer, in a press release. “Mark was approached by a buyer from Texas who wanted to purchase the event. The last thing we wanted to see was this race run and operated outside of the Champaign-Urbana community. It was an easy decision for us to become part owners of this fantastic community event!”

Many changes have been added to this year’s events.

“We moved the 5K to Friday night as a way of featuring that race more prominently,” said Seeley.

Along with the 5K, a 10K has been added to Saturday morning. For those who run the 5K on Friday, then run either the full or half marathon on Saturday, will receive a special I-Challenge medal.

Knutson agreed that the new changes would be positive for the event.

“It’s a true community type of an event in terms of the sponsors, volunteers and participants. The fact that its locally owned now makes it a very special event.”