The Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend will return to Champaign-Urbana from April 23-25 with a new theme, “Leave Your Legacy,” celebrating the achievements of runners, volunteers and community members alike.
“Leave Your Legacy” highlights the accomplishments of all race weekend participants and the lasting impact they leave on the C-U community.
Runners from across the nation are expected to take part in the 2026 event after the turnout for the 2025 event. Race director Jan Seeley said they had runners from 46 states.
University alum Noah Shipman, who ran the Christie Clinic marathon in 2024 and plans to run again in 2026, described how he thinks about his legacy while training.
“Going for greatness in every moment, in each stride while I’m running,” Shipman said. “What am I going to accomplish in the race or even training?”
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The race weekend includes a range of six events over three days, ensuring variety for all levels of runners. The events include a mile, youth run, 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon.
The committee behind the race weekend strives to make every runner feel their individual accomplishments, like providing customizable name bibs to spur support from spectators. University alum Serena Maloney, who ran the Christie Clinic marathon in 2024 and 2025, reminisced on the support of the community.
“You’re running on the streets with your friends and the whole campus supporting you,” Maloney said. “I think because everybody gets so involved and excited for it, it really does feel like it’s a very impactful experience.”
Alongside runners, “Leave Your Legacy” recognizes the volunteers who keep the event moving. Seeley emphasized her gratitude to the volunteers working the race weekend.
“They’re the beating heart,” Seeley said. “We’re only as good as every last volunteer. They are as much a part of our success as the staff is.”
The Christie Clinic Race Weekend is leaving its own legacy in the race community with the inclusion of accessibility programs to encourage participation. The Kicks for CU Kids nonprofit donates shoes and socks to kids training to run the 1K youth event or 5K through a school or church program.
Likewise, the Welcome Wave is an addition to the 1K youth run. Introduced in 2025 through the collaboration of the race weekend organizers and parents of children with disabilities, this race ensures an accessible environment for those wanting to participate.
Seeley recognized the esteem the race weekend holds and works to maintain it by constantly evolving.
“We’re really aware of the position our event has,” Seeley said. “I think the way I’ve expressed it is ‘the power to do good,’ and so we want to take that to as many levels as we can.”
Seeley encourages everyone to be a part of the race weekend, emphasizing looking into volunteer positions once signups open in December and reaching out to the organizers for additional support.
“Make a commitment to being involved, whether that’s for the first time or the 10th time, just set a goal,” Seeley said. “Whatever path you want to be on, this race becomes like a stage on which you can achieve that. That’s part of that legacy.”
