Rend Lake Marathon
- Date
- March 27, 2027
- Location
- North Marcum Beach, Benton, IL
- Distance
- Marathon · 1/2 Marathon · 1/4 Marathon
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!
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
60°
Typical Low
40°
Based on US Climate Normals data from Benton 2 N, 2 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Benton, IL
Population
7,076
as of 2023
Elevation
461 ft
Nearest Airport
MWA
Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois · 18 mi
Major Hub
STL
St. Louis Lambert International Airport · 94 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 Rend Lake Marathon, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
Coming Up
More Running races near Benton, IL
Sesser Homecoming 5k
5K
10 miles away
28th Annual Firecracker 5k
5K
22 miles away
Cross Country Sundown Showdown
18 miles away
Hope Fest 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run
Youth
19 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 Rend Lake Marathon?
- Rend Lake Marathon is a running race held in Benton, Illinois on March 27, 2027. 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 Rend Lake Marathon?
- Saturday, March 27, 2027 in Benton, Illinois at North Marcum Beach, Benton, IL. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Rend Lake Marathon?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Rend Lake Marathon
Mar 27, 2027