2012 Great Western Half Marathon

Location

Leroy Oaks Forest Preserve
37W370 Dean Street
Saint Charles, IL

GWHM MAP LINK

This is an interactive satellite map of the GW half marathon course. Grab the map interior and move in any direction to see the entire course.

About This Event

This is the 15th annual Great Western and the seventh year at a half marathon distance. The race previously was a 30K, but was changed in 2005 to its current distance. The race is hosted by the Fox River Trail Runners, and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Special Olympics, Illinois and FRTR's Youth Scholarship Fund.

Field

The race is limited to 1200 entries to insure a safe and enjoyable race experience. Registration will be close when this limit is reached. The race filled in 3 weeks in 2011 and we anticipate an earlier close in 2011. Once 1000 entries are reached the entry fee will be $100.00 for all categories. There is NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION.

Half Marathon Course

The Half Marathon is a USATF Certified course IL-051108-JW. The race is run on the scenic Great Western Trail, which is mostly flat, 37% asphalt and 63% crushed limestone screenings. Mile splits will be given at the 2, 4, 6, 9 and 11 mile markers. Water and Gatorade will be available at six water stations along the course. The course will remain open until 11:00 a.m. allowing for a pace of 13 min 44 seconds to finish. No Strollers, dogs, walkers, roller-skaters or bikes are allowed in the race. For safety reasons, the use of headphones or other electronic devices during the race is STRONGLY discouraged.

Directions

The race starts in the Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles, IL which is accessible from I-88 or I-90. From I-88, exit Orchard road north. At the Randall Road intersection, take Randall Road north to Dean Street in St Charles. Go west (left) on Dean Street � mile to the park entrance. From I-90, take Randall Road south to Dean Street. Go west (right) on Dean Street � mile to the park entrance.

Parking

Parking for ALL race participants and spectators will be at St. Charles North High School MAP

NOTE: THERE IS NO ONSITE PARKING THIS YEAR

Free shuttle buses will be provided to transport everyone to the entrance of LeRoy Oaks Forest Preserve beginning at 6:00 a.m. and continue throughout race day. Once the race has started family and friends will be allowed to enter the preserve park while space exists.

Packet Pickup

Early packet pickup will be available at Dick Pond Athletics, 303 N. 2nd street (Rte 31), St Charles, IL MAP on Friday, May 4 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Dick Pond Athletics is located west of the Fox River just North of North Avenue (Rte 64).

You may pick up your packet and other participants as well. If you are picking up more than your own packet, YOU MUST bring that registrants CONFIRMATION sheet.
This will help the volunteers and get you on your way in a timely fashion.

Race day packet pickup will be available from 6:30 a.m. until 7:45 a.m. at the start area.

Fees:

$50.00 Half Marathon

$45.00 Half Marathon/FRTR/Batavia Accelerator Members

Once 1000 entrants are reached there will only be Illinois Special Olympics Charity Spots available for $100.00 each.

Performance Race Shirt/Medals

All registered runners will receive a technical material race shirt. Race finishers will receive a commemorative medal to wear.

Race Services

There will be Emergency Medical Technicians and ambulance available.

Gear check will also be available.

Refreshments

There will be plenty of water, electrolyte drink, fruit, bagels and other refreshments for participants near the finish line.

Awards

Awards for both races will be presented to the top three overall Male and Female winners. Overall winners do not receive age group awards. Age group awards will be presented to the top three Male and Female finishers in age groups 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 & over.

Race Results

The race will be chip timed. Results will also be posted on the FRTR web page on race day after 7 p.m.

Volunteers

Volunteers are always needed, appreciated and rewarded. Please send an e-mail to: great_western@foxrivertrailrunners.org

Charitable Contributions

A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Special Olympics, Illinois and support Fox River Trail Runners Youth Scholarship program. You can make an additional contribution if you wish when registering for the race.

Race Photographs

Brightroom Inc. will have photographers at the event.

RACE LINK

Waiver and Release - You need to accept this on the registration page

By indicating your acceptance, you understand, agree, warrant and covenant as follows:

For considering my entry’s acceptance in 2012 Great Western Half Marathon, I the undersigned, intending to be legally bound, waive and release for myself, my heirs, executor and administrators, any and all rights and claims for damages, demands and any other actions, which I may have against the Fox River Trail Runners, Kane County Forest Preserve, City of St. Charles, volunteer logistical and medical support, all participating supports and those entities’ representatives, successors and assignees, from my participation in the event, including any and all injuries suffered by me because of my participation in this event. I verify I have full knowledge of the rigors of this race and the risk involved in participation, and I am physically fit and have sufficiently trained to complete this event. I realize medical support for this event will consist of primarily of volunteer medical personnel prepared to administer first-aid type assistance along the race course and the finish line. I hereby grant permission to the Fox River Trail Runners and its sponsors to use all information submitted in my application, and any photograph, videotape, motion pictures, recording and any other record of this event including race results, my likeness, name and completion time for any lawful purpose related to the race and post-race publicity. Runner data may be used to offer a limited number of race enhancements.

The Race Director reserves the right to reject any entry. No unauthorized bicycles, roller skates or dogs are permitted during the race; headphones and other similar devices are not advised.

Registered participants may NOT transfer their race number and timing chip to anyone.

Athlete acknowledges that the entry fee paid is NON-REFUNDABLE and will not be transferred or defered for use in any other FRTR sponsored race. Athlete acknowledges and agrees that the Great Western Half Marathon race and Fox River Trail Runners in its sole discretion may delay or cancel the event if it believes the conditions on race day are unsafe. In the event the Event is delayed or cancelled for any reason, including but not limited to: fire, threatened or actual strike, labor difficulty, work stoppage, insurrection, war, public disaster, flood, unavoidable casualty, acts of God or the elements, or any other cause beyond the control of the Fox River Trail Runners there shall be no refund of the entry fee or any other costs of Athlete in connection with the Event.

If you are registering a child under the age of 18 or an incapacitated adult you represent and warrant that you are the parent or legal guardian of that party and have the legal authority to enter into this agreement on their behalf and by proceeding with this event registration, you agree that the terms of this Agreement and Waiver shall apply equally to all Registered Parties. By registering a child under 13, you agree and consent to the collection of that child's information which you provide for the purposes of registration.

Completing registration will yield a confirmation email from FRTR and PayPal. If you do not receive these you did not complete the registration process and will need to try again.