CHAMPAIGN – More than 10,000 athletes headed to Champaign to participate in the 2025 Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend.
This is only the second year the weekend has offered a full marathon since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, 894 runners took up the challenge.
Champaign native Jamie Marcos finished first overall in the 26.2 mile contest in 02:22:23. Tera Moody of Bargersville, Indiana was the fastest female in the race with a finish at 02:47:21. Kamden Romano from Huntley, Illinois, was the top finisher in the non-binary division with a time of 03:25:32.
Owen Kalsbeek from Grand Rapids, Michigan said he ran in the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend after the Carmel Marathon in Indiana was cancelled due to thunderstorms. He owes his 37th overall finish to his family’s support and his faith.
“It’s so emotional to put in that much work and then to finish with your family on the sideline,” said Kalsbeek. “With them so proud of you, it feels so good.”
Kevin Cantieri from Mount Prospect said he didn’t come to the event with any specific cause to run for, but he is excited to have completed his first marathon in two years.
“This kind of made me feel pretty good about myself,” Cantieri said. “Everybody here is great, so I’m definitely gonna keep running.”
Race officials said 2,524 took part in the half marathon. Curtis Eckstein of Batesville, Indiana won with a 01:05:25 time. Lanni Merchant of Denver, Colorado was the first woman to cross the finish line at 01:12:45. Urbana’s Corey Peters was the top finisher in the non-binary division with a 01:55:19. Hoda Elshorbagy of Urbana finished first among the wheelchair half-marathoners with a 57:45 time.
Joshua Bonk of Champaign finished the half marathon in 01:51:44. Even though he’s new to running, the finish felt very fulfilling.
“I told a friend 12 weeks ago I’d run the first half of the marathon,” Bonk said. “He’s running his first full marathon today.”
Brian Bundren of Mahomet was first overall in the 10K with a 35:16 finish. Trish Black of Savoy won the women’s category with a 39:42 finish.
The 5K race was the most popular of the weekend with over 3,500 participants.
Saturday’s participants ran through Champaign, Urbana and Savoy. The finish line was on Zuppke Field of Champaign’s Memorial Stadium.
“There are so many water stations, so many spectators,” Cantieri said. “They’re good atmosphere.”
The weekend kicked off Thursday with the Health and Fitness Expo at the University of Illinois’ Activities and Recreation Center. The competition began Friday with the 5k race in the evening.
The marathon, half marathon, 10k and wheelchair half marathon were held Saturday morning.
