Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k
- Date
- October 31, 2026
- Location
- 91 Bouthillier, Galena, IL
- Distance
- Half Marathon · 8K · Virtual
From the Organizer
Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Join us Saturday, October 31st for our 9th annual Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8K!
This is a fast, flat half marathon along the scenic Galena River Trail. An 8K race option is also offered.
ALL FINISHERS RECEIVE MEDALS & SHIRT IF REGISTERED BY SEPTEMBER 28th!
**Due to Galena Halloween festivities on that day, the course will close at 11:00 AM. Because of this no walkers are allowed for the half marathon and runners must finish before the course closes.
🔷 Packet Pickup will be Friday, Oct 30th from 4:00 pm -7:00 pm and Saturday morning 7:00 am -7:45 am below the Highway 20 bridge in the Train Depot parking area where the race is also held. Friends are allowed to pick up for another participant.
🔷 Gear Check is available at the packet pickup table. Please have your gear bag labeled.
🔷 Hydration/fuel stations with water, electrolyte beverage and GU will be at miles 2, 3.5, 9, 11, 12.
Age groups are as follows:
19 and under
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85-89
90 and up
🔹Course Route: this is an out and back course, utilizing first the south end of the trail and turning around at the 5.50 mile marker and return to the start, which would be the equivalent of 11 miles, runners will then proceed around the start and head north on the trail for a short out and back for the remaining mileage, back to finish line for your 13.10 miles!🎉
For the 8k distance, the course is also an out and back, and will begin the same as the half, with the turnaround marked at 2.50 miles and race back to the finish line!🎉
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
53°
Typical Low
33°
Chance of Rain
29%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Galena, 2 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Galena, IL
Population
2,899
as of 2023
Elevation
601 ft
Nearest Airport
DBQ
Dubuque Regional Airport · 15 mi
Major Hub
ORD
Chicago O'Hare International Airport · 132 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A small town race. Lodging near the start could be limited, so book early.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
145
Days to train
- Race
- Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k
- Date
- October 31, 2026
- Location
- 91 Bouthillier, Galena, IL
Coming Up
More Running races near Galena, IL
Timber City Adventure Race- Kayak or Canoe/Bike/Run
27 miles away
4th of July Farmers Market 5K
5K
31 miles away
Stockton 5k / 10k
10K · 5K
21 miles away
Brian Galusha Memorial Run/Walk
22 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k?
- Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k is a running race held in Galena, Illinois on October 31, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k?
- Saturday, October 31, 2026 in Galena, Illinois at 91 Bouthillier, Galena, IL. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k
Oct 31, 2026