On Mom’s Day weekend, my household and I traveled to Ottawa, Illinois for the Starved Rock Marathon. This annual occasion is held annually on the second Saturday in Could and permits runners to deal with the hills of the state park. It’s a troublesome occasion, however one that’s definitely worth the expertise.
Ottawa, Illinois, is simply over an hour away from Chicago and an especially simple drive. You’re feeling like you’re in a totally totally different state, despite the fact that you could have simply traveled a brief method. After you allow the suburbs, you enter into stared rock nation, which is lined with cornfields and rural growth.
We arrived on Friday and went straight to packet pickup, which is held within the Knights of Columbus constructing in downtown Ottawa. This can be a good likelihood to drive via the realm and see the entire charming eating places and retailers that make up the neighborhood.
After grabbing my packet, we headed to Utica, Illinois, which is simply outdoors of the state park. This small neighborhood has a block of breweries and eating places for guests to take pleasure in.
There may be additionally a museum and some historic websites to go to. Our favourite was an ice cream store known as one thing and Bruce and Ollies. Themed after the homeowners’ canine, pups are welcomed and inspired. This family-owned gem is nestled inside The Bickerman Constructing and serves a pleasant array of choices, together with Capannari’s ice cream, Starved Rock espresso blends, August Hill wine, craft beers, and extra.
We then went to dinner on the Court docket Road Pub, which had an inside-outside really feel with giant home windows within the entrance that open, and an considerable menu of choices. We have been all hungry and I wanted a fundamental, acquainted meal for the reason that marathon was the following morning.
Following dinner, we checked into my absolute favourite place to remain in Ottawa, The Fairfield Inn & Suites. The resort is simply 8 minutes from the downtown space and shares a car parking zone with a Starbucks and Culver’s. It’s one minute from the native Walmart and proper off the freeway. Past the situation being ideally suited, the resort is heat and alluring, and a real residence away from residence.
The rooms are giant and plush with cozy mattresses and clear, spacious loos. Plus, free breakfast is included with all stays. The breakfast is each cold and warm and has all kinds of choices for friends. As a touring, energetic household, it’s each price and time environment friendly to have a breakfast on the resort that’s included within the value of the keep. It’s additionally essential for my household that we have now wholesome choices to assist the numerous actions which can be deliberate via the weekend.
After a fast unpack, we cuddled in for the night time and I slept like a rock, earlier than my alarm woke me as much as run the rock!
I walked over to Starbucks and grabbed a espresso earlier than driving the 8 minutes to downtown Ottawa, the place the beginning line for the marathon and 5K is. The half marathon runners get bussed into Starved Rock State Park and run again into downtown Ottawa. In case you are a half marathon fan, that is one to not be missed. You get the expertise of the state park and might benefit from the hills earlier than your legs are too fatigued.
The marathon and 5K runners started proper at 7 AM and ran via downtown Ottawa and the residential areas surrounding it. We then made our solution to the state park. We started seeing the half marathon runners trekking again in the wrong way of us proper round mile eight of our journey into the state park. Miles one via six have been comparatively flat, however then the elevation started. We had hills all through the state park and the areas surrounding the state park, which have been fairly intense at instances. One explicit hill was practically one mile lengthy. Going up.
Miles six via twenty have been fairly stacked with elevation adjustments. It was a grueling battle with my legs and the solar, which was relentless. There appeared to be not one single cloud within the sky. Regardless of the powerful situations, the course was stunning.
We ran via the state park, out of the park alongside a rustic highway after which again into the state park the place we wove via a number of rock formations that the park is thought for. Then at mile 20 after we have now exited the park, we made our method again into downtown Ottawa.
Miles 20 via 24 have been on a cloudless, nation Highway. It’s flat, nevertheless it was fairly powerful given the heated situations, and miles I had simply packed on. I believe this was the hardest a part of the race for me. As soon as we acquired to mile 24, we have been again within the downtown space and the tip felt close to.
We completed by crossing a bridge and circling again to the end line in downtown Ottawa. The end line was stocked with post-race goodies and hydration for runners to take pleasure in.
It was a troublesome run, however price each step. The surroundings was stunning and the race logistics have been dialed in. The small occasion is simple for runners to park and stroll proper as much as the beginning line. The course is extremely properly marked, and all runners acquired a T-shirt and cotton bag, in addition to a medal on the end.
After I completed my 26.2, I headed again to the resort for a properly wanted bathe and clothes change. We then went to The Lone Buffalo the place all runners acquired a free 26.2 brew, which the brewery makes annually for the races.
We hit a number of the downtown retailers and significantly favored Déjà Vu and Prairie Fox Books.
After exploring the downtown space, we went again to the resort to take a dip within the pool. There’s nothing like a calming swim, following a tough exercise. The water actually massages your muscle groups and the cooling temperatures really feel good on swollen joints and ft. The pool and pool space on the Fairfield Inn is clear and properly maintained. (That is uncommon these days and really appreciated!). Thanks to the resort for offering clear, dry towels within the pool space and a spotless pool flooring.
I additionally went into the exercise room to make use of the froth curler and mats to stretch. Having a health space in a resort is so essential post-race to adequately stretch earlier than touring residence. This exercise room had two treadmills and a load of kit for weightlifting and stretching.
After the refresh, we headed to the state park to do some mountain climbing. We by accident parked in an space that required us to climb 180 stairs to get to the strolling path. We started by strolling down the steps. That was the straightforward half. The youngsters skipped rocks and we explored the paths that make up this unbelievable treasure that we have now so near Chicago. The state park is actually magnificent. After our exploration, we tackled the steps and made our method again to our automobile.
Promenade was occurring for the realm faculties and it was candy to see the entire excessive schoolers dressed to the nines taking photos in and across the park. We grabbed a fast dinner and fell asleep shortly after our heads hit the pillows.
I might extremely advocate this as an finish to your spring marathon season. The Starved Rock Marathon is small and charming. It’s properly run and affords a difficult, but rewarding expertise. You’re feeling as if you could have left and entered a complete new world. The Fairfield Inn and suites in Ottawa is actually a house away from residence, with, clear, spacious rooms. The free breakfast is an unbelievable perk, with a lot of wholesome choices. The pool and exercise room are important for runners post-race to assist calm down.
Schedule this run-cation for Could, 2025 and be part of me at The Fairfield Inn for an unbelievable race weekend!
