Des Plaines River Trail Marathon - Race Reviews

This trail run is easy because the trail is wide and flat with no problems, EXCEPT the multiple long water obstacles. The 2019 racecourse was modified to 6.55-mile loops because of major flooding, which was well managed. GREAT race support for the 50 milers, marathoners and half marathoners. I highly recommend.

I participated in this marathon as a part of my 50 state marathon quest and I was really happy with my choice for Illinois. To be honest, I had originally wanted to do Chicago but once they changed to a lottery system I needed to find another choice to guarantee my 50 state finish by a certain time. I'm so glad I ended up doing this marathon. As others mentioned, the weather conditions were not ideal in 2017-torrential rain, mud, thunderstorms, etc. but I give huge kudos to the race directors for allowing the race to go on anyway. Their advice if you got nervous about the lightning was to seek shelter but they were clear that the race would not be cancelled. I really appreciated this since I was finishing the 50 states 2 weeks later and wouldn't be able to fit in another IL marathon. I ended up staying in the city of Chicago because I was there for a few days and wanted to do some city sightseeing. However, I did see how the Extended Stay was right across the street. The drive from the city was totally fine, though, and didn't take very long. Everything was easy, convenient and well-marked at the starting area. There were porta-potties as well as sheltered bathrooms. There were wave starts for both the marathon and half marathon based on pace (the 50 miler started earlier). The course was really beautiful and had the weather been better I would have been able to better appreciate the scenery. Lots of water views and lots of trees. The trail was mostly gravel though there were a lot of leaves down in certain sections. The race communication was excellent so I knew what to expect on the course in terms of aid. The aid stations were excellent with friendly volunteers who had to withstand the rain (though most had tents). There was a great variety of food and drink available (probably in part because they needed to cater to the needs of the 50 mile participants). I walked the race and it is very walker-friendly because of the 50 miler which is going on concurrently. There were a few other walkers but there were plenty of times I was by myself. However, the faster 50 milers passed me towards the end and most of them were very encouraging and friendly. The race medal had a word misspelled on it but the race directors kindly mailed us a new one. The race shirt was nice and we also got a bandana type of head covering. I really appreciated getting a burger at the finish line. There was a shelter with picnic tables where we could eat. There was also other food available. There is something special about trail races. People tend to be very friendly and easygoing. I would highly recommend this race. I would definitely go back and do the half marathon now that my marathon career is over.

I can't say enough good things about this race! The volunteers were amazing (especially considering that it was raining for most of the day), the race was well organized and stayed on time, the scenery was beautiful and the food at the aid stations and at the end was wonderful. We will definitely be doing this race again. Oh, at the people at the Extended Stay across the street were super-friendly and helpful. We will be staying there next year as well.

Super organization and logistics. Couldn't have been much easier or better organized. Race morning packet pick up was a breeze. Pre-race they had everything you need - changing tent, gear storage, coffee, snacks etc. More than enough porta potties. Races went off right on time. I can't say enough good things about the volunteers who endured the downpours, mud and soggy conditions. The aid stations were the best I've ever seen, well stocked, great volunteers filling water bottles, passing out food & drinks. Without exception they made us feel welcomed and made sure we had everything we wanted (loved the BP&Js). Nice course through scenic woods. Great job with the course markings. we had soggy conditions and heavy rain, but still a great course and kept things interesting. The Extended Stay America was literally across the street from the park entrance making things easy. They were super nice! At check in when they found out I was running they gave me a lower rate than I had already booked (who does that?) They even let me back in to my room after the race so I could clean up and dry off. Absolutely worth doing this race.

This was a very nice course and well-organized. I ran it in 2017 and we were presented with a challenge in that it rained most of the day. The trail was pretty soggy and it wasn't the most pleasant weather by any means. But the race organizers pulled off everything quite well and were determined to let us run no matter what the elements brought. The course is very nice scenery and very flat, with just a few very minor changes in elevation here or there. The aid stations are well stocked but are about three miles apart so plan on bringing your own hydration if necessary. I do wish the garbage cans near the aid stations would have been slightly farther down the path. As it was, if you were planning on running straight through the aid stations you had to chug the water quickly and slow down so that you could throw away the cup in the garbage can before passing it. Also there were two road crossings that did not have anyone directing traffic. I managed to get through them without stopping but I saw some people who had to stop and wait for cars. It would be nice if they had someone to direct this. There were not many spectators on the course, but that's ok. I knew that going in and didn't expect many. The aid station volunteers were very enthusiastic! The start/finish area is very nice and spread out with some shelters, a gear check, and they had a nice meal afterward for the runners. If you are bringing kids there is a playground there and plenty of space for them to run around. Too bad there was so much rain this year! All in all I would recommend the race as a scenic, low-key marathon that is very enjoyable. I would like to run it again.

This was a really beautiful trail race with very nice organization. I would definitely run this again. My only concern is that at a couple of points along the along the trail you have to run across a road...I feel volunteers need to be at these points to pause/warn the runners about possible traffic...at the very least...large signage warning the runners to stop and look both ways before crossing the road. Other than that this race is excellent. I truly enjoyed the great tasting grilled burger at the end of the race...I'll bring the cheese next year. Thanks for a great race.

If you are a fan of small races or are thinking about trying a trail race, DO THIS ONE. Every step of this course is gorgeous, the surface is flat and smooth, and the organization is fantastic. The few spectators and aid station crews are terrific and cheer for everyone. The weather for 2015 was perfect  sunny and dry with a high around 50. Most of the race is in a forest; parts go through meadows. (We ran through a wedding party photo shoot on one of the bridges  that's how pretty it is.) The race directors are extremely responsive to questions. There are three races together: a 50-mile, a marathon and a half. A staggered start means you rarely see people outside your own race unless you are among the very fastest or slowest. (I did the 50-mile, but the courses are all the same  you just turn around sooner for the others.) Aid stations have 'real food' for the ultra folks but also plenty of gels, Gatorade and water. And the location is great - just outside Chicago, so it's easily accessible and there's plenty to do in the area afterward. I realize I'm gushing but this was one of my best running experiences ever, and I've been running a long time. The one tiny negative is that the little crushed rocks do get into your shoes, as other people have mentioned. I didn't think it was a big enough deal to bother with gaiters, though.

Living in Southern California, I never get to experience Fall! Words cannot describe how drop-dead gorgeous this race was! Every few steps, I encountered a new hue, first a yellow forest, then a red one, then an orange one, then a mixed color paradise - just incredible. The pictures I took are my cover photos on all my sites. Because I am slow, I was alone in the beauty most of the time, but I was perfectly content with communing with the birds and trees! There was one tricky water filled section that we had to traverse both up and back. I climbed rocks around it the first time and then scaled a fence on the return. No way I would plod through several inches of water, but many runners did. The race finish was special. There were little fire pots you could sit around and eat the luscious post-race hamburgers. They were awesome, as were the directors, the volunteers, everything! There were hardly any spectators, but I came to run a fall race in the forest and what I got was way more than what I hoped for!

Amazing scenery, crazy good refreshments at aid stations - who knew eating real food instead of Gu could make a marathon so much fun? Very well marked and post-race meal was welcome! Very few spectators due to the size and location of the race, but those that were there were great. Aid stations volunteers were super positive and friendly!

Let me preface by stating my 5 star spectators is actually due to the lack of crowds. My family was able to easily find me at 4-5 locations along the way and cheer for just me. This is exactly as I would want it! This was a very organized and pleasant experience. The weather was perfect. Plenty of everything at the aid stations for my slow full marathon time. If you, like me, find crowds draining and enjoy a peaceful, supported run in the woods, then this is the run for you.

I love this marathon. Easy on the joints. The course is dry, well packed gravel instead of potholed crowned asphalt/concrete. It's a beautiful path through fall foliage along a pretty river. If your finish time is shaky, no worries as the course is open while folks are finishing a 50-miler. No getting pushed onto the sidewalk short of the finish. You can pick up your shirt, number, and chip the morning of the event. You can send a goody bag to the midpoint, just like Ironman. You don't waste energy dodging potholes or trying to sneak around clusters. You can register really close to race date. Lots of variety at the aid stations. Cookies, chips, candy, beverages, goo. Better than the usual gaterade vs. water choice. A choice of burgers at the finishline for so you can hang out with other runners and get a little protein on board. No crowds, but no craziness either. A pair of really nice guys put on the show.

This Marathon was quite a contrast to the Chicago Marathon which I had run six days earlier, as did several other runners. The course was beautiful, and was almost entirely on crushed gravel, covered by leaves in a lot of places, about as easy a marathon on your legs as you could get! The race started on time. There were less than 500 runners in the full marathon and the 50 mile race together (I didn't see the half marathon participants because of their later start and earlier finish, but I know there were only a few hundred participants as well). Virtually the only spectators were volunteers at the various aid stations, who were enthusiastic and friendly. The miles were clearly marked throughout the race, although it seemed like the 'mile' between 14 and 15 was unusually long. The weather this year was almost perfect, and the race was also almost perfect. I will be doing this marathon again next year, unless I get talked into the 50 mile race instead. What a wonderful marathon!

Plenty of signs to always know you are on the correct path. Lime stone path in excellent condition. Great aid stations with plenty of variety. Free burgers at the finsih line and free parking.

Very pretty course on the des plaines trail. Could of used more organization at the start and finish area. Loved the burgers after the race. If you are looking for a good trail run, run this one.

I second what everyone else had to say. Really nice course. I wanted my first marathon to be smaller so this was perfect. One water station had water that tasted like milk (might need to watch that for this year) but I had gone through the night before and dropped water bottles at strategic locations and pretty much carried it with me. But everything was great - fans, finish line, nice food at the end, everything was nice. Except the distance. My garmin had it listed as 0.5 miles short. I was very disappointed as this was my first marathon and I felt like I didn't really do a marathon based on the distance. I would definately do it again but please, please, please make sure the distance is accurate for 2012. I will most likely be back for 2012. Thanks!

This marathon was more than I expected, a flat trail in a forest preserve with fall leaves and cool weather. What more can you ask for? Even though there were only 120 or so participants, I was never running alone and although worried about getting lost or taking a wrong turn, everything was well marked and it was never an issue. My husband was able to see me at several places on the trail thanks to a map they provided. We stayed in the hotel across the street which was perfect. I've done both small and big city marathons, but this was a nice surprise and one of my favorites, and would definitely consider running this again.

When they said the hotel was close by, they weren't kidding. It was just across the street. The hotel was very clean and accomodating to late check out. This is a small race; don't be expecting bands and hoopla. A really beautiful course through the woods and meadows. The running surface was really the best I've every run on. Very fine limestone; some thick socks to protect against junk in you shoes would be good. I was worried I would be all by myself with only 125 runners in the marathon, but I was always around somebody. The weather just happened to be gorgeous, which only helps the experience, but it was a well organized race. The race directors were attentive, but I suspect they could have used more volunteers. All the aid stations were fully stocked, and each mile was marked. I would definitely do this one again.

This is a beautiful little marathon on a wide, flat, easy-on-your-feet trail through a forest preserve just north of Chicago. The course is simply spectacular - through forests and marshland. Much of the trail has forest cover so if it's hot you'd be protected from the sun. The day I ran the weather was perfect - 40s to start and high 50s at the finish. There were not a lot of spectators because there were not a lot of participants, but if someone wanted to follow a runner there were several places where roads or parking access intersected the trail. I saw one family at maybe 4 different points on the course. The course is an out and back which is generally not my first choice because who wants to run the same thing twice. In this case, I didn't mind at all because the course was just so beautiful. The trail itself was very well maintained and a hard enough surface so that you didn't feel like you were running in sand but so, so easy on the feet. I'm used to road races where my feet are just screaming by mile 23 from the pounding. Water and aid stops were every 2-3 miles and consisted of one table with loads of options - water, electrolyte drink, m&ms, pretzels, gels, etc. I'm used to running through water stops and drinking on the run which wasn't possible here because there just weren't enough volunteers to pick up garbage. So I stopped at each aid staton drank two cups of water and threw my cups in the trash. Would probably be a good idea if they would put one garbage can 50 feet down the path but not a big deal. The volunteers were so friendly and helpful. I ran alone for much of the race and if you're a runner who relies on thousands of spectators to keep you going, this race does not have that. I do enjoy that aspect of road races but I loved this too. I registered just days before the race and was told that I would have to wait to get my shirt and medal sent to me in the mail. The race organizers had so many last minute entries their surplus supply was depleted. I didn't expect to get anything but they said they would place an additional shirt and medal order after the marathon to make sure everyone who participated got the shirt and medal which I thought was great. Parking was available at the start and they also do morning of packet pick up which was so so nice. I've done alot of big city marathons (new york, chicago, boston) and I like those too but they are a hassle. This race was just so relaxed, convenient, easy to navigate and enjoyable.