Prairie State Half Marathon, 10K & Oktoberfest 5K 2023

This past weekend, we closed out summer and began fall with the Prairie State Half Marathon & 10K. This festive race begins in downtown Long Grove and runs through the village’s scarecrow fest, which is a scenic delight. All Community Events hosts this event each year and draws hundreds of runners to this picturesque area, which is straight out of a Hallmark movie.

The races began in downtown Long Grove, surrounded by the shops and town square area. Runners began promptly at 8:30 am for the half marathon and 10K distances. All Community Events also offered an Oktoberfest 5K, which began at 8:55 am. 

Runners left the downtown area and encountered their first climb with a quick out and back for the first few miles. At mile 4, runners hit that same hill back toward the start line and headed south to weave through residential neighborhoods. The 10K runners split from the half marathon runners and headed to their finish, while the half runners kept tackling the rolling hills.

I love this course as you cross paths with other runners, nearly the entire time. I got to see many runner friends that I didn’t even realize were running out on the course. Cheers and high fives are given throughout as we did several circles out and back through the homes and winding streets.

Aid stations were placed throughout the course, which were very appreciated by runners as the temperatures climbed into the low 70’s by the end of the race morning. Water and Gatorade were plentiful, as was course support from race staff, volunteers, and spectators.

Runners wound their way back to the downtown area where they were greeted with a large medal and an even larger hot pretzel. What a way to begin the fall season and celebrate with your running friends at All Community Events.