Rend Lake Marathon

Sat, Mar 27, 2027, 8:30 AM CDT

Location: Benton, IL; North Marcum Beach, 62812
Type: RUN

At a glance

Experience the serene beauty of Rend Lake and its surrounding natural landscapes on a course filled with stunning water views and peaceful country roads.

Scenic

Discover the natural beauty of southern Illinois at the Rend Lake Marathon, Half-Marathon, and Quarter-Marathon. This event features a course designed to showcase the region's stunning landscapes, from gorgeous paved paths to rolling country roads. Runners will enjoy panoramic views of Rend Lake, passing by South Sandusky Beach, the Marina, and the amazing spillway. The route also winds through beautiful vistas of Lake Hamilton and Lake Benton, culminating in a memorable finish at North Marcum Beach.

What to expect

Run on a mix of gorgeous paved paths and scenic rolling country roads.
Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Rend Lake, Lake Hamilton, and Lake Benton.
Finish your journey at the beautiful North Marcum Beach.

Standout details

Gorgeous paved paths
Stunning lake views
Rolling country roads
Natural wildlife haven

Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.

Distances & registration

3 options

Registration for all distances is through the official signup link above.

6.55 Miles
Sat, Mar 27, 9:30 AM CDT · From $55.16
Opens Mar 31, 2026, 8:00 PM CDT · Closes Mar 27, 2027, 7:59 PM CDT
13.1 Miles
Sat, Mar 27, 9:30 AM CDT · From $76.55
Opens Mar 31, 2026, 8:00 PM CDT · Closes Mar 26, 2027, 7:59 PM CDT
26.2 Miles
Sat, Mar 27, 8:30 AM CDT · From $108.64
Opens Mar 31, 2026, 8:00 PM CDT · Closes Mar 26, 2027, 7:59 PM CDT

Vibe Check

Steady Effort

Flat road course, longer distance

The course

Road
Flat
Timed race

From the organizer

The Rend Lake Marathon, Half-Marathon and Quarter-Marathon

Gorgeous paved paths, stunning views and rolling country roads make this course the Marathon to remember!

Rend Lake, IL, located in the heart of southern Illinois, is a natural haven for wildlife and a recreational haven for visitors. Rend Lake consists of 18,900 acres of water and 20,000 acres of land. Campers will delight in the nearly 800 sites found in 5 public campgrounds on Rend Lake. Boaters are provided access to the lake through the numerous boat ramps. Beaches, picnic sites and trails provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor fun.

The course then will take you across the lake for one of the best panoramic views in Illinois, before connecting to the bike path which passes South Sandusky Beach, the Marina, Rend Lake Visitors Center, the amazing spillway and dozens of other spectacular views of Rend Lake. From there you will continue on country roads winding through beautiful vistas including both Lake Hamilton and Lake Benton. Finally you will get back on the bike path and end at the stunning North Marcum Beach.

We can't wait to see you finish your next great adventure with us!

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