CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) – Community excitement is building as the 2025 Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend approaches, set to take place April 24–26. Thousands of runners, spectators, and volunteers will descend on Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy for one of the region’s most anticipated spring events.

The event is more than just a race—it’s a major celebration of community pride and economic impact. Since its inception, the race has donated nearly $2 million to local charities, while also bringing a welcome boost to local hotels, restaurants, and small businesses.

Local leaders and organizations—including the Cities of Champaign and Urbana, the Village of Savoy, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District—are working together to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Residents are encouraged to get involved by cheering on participants or volunteering throughout the weekend.

The Race Weekend coincides once again with Ebertfest in Downtown Champaign, meaning more out-of-town visitors and a busy community. However, residents should plan ahead for road closures, bus route changes, and increased traffic. Organizers have collaborated with officials to minimize disruptions, and full details—including maps, route changes, and travel tips—can be found at IllinoisMarathon.com.

Back this year is the full marathon course introduced in 2024, which guides runners through Urbana, Champaign, Savoy, and finishes dramatically inside Memorial Stadium. Residents along Prospect Avenue south of Armory Avenue and neighborhoods in Savoy are especially encouraged to review the updated course and road closure times.

Local agencies will provide more detailed timing of closures and transit changes closer to race weekend.