Naperville was bustling with marathon runners and fans on Nov. 8, for the third annual Naperville Marathon. More than 1,000 runners came from across the country for the last two years to run the 26.2-mile race around the city of Naperville and the city is ready to continue this tradition.
Although this is only the third year that the official Naperville Marathon will be conducted, North Central College cross-country and track and field coach Al Carius remembers when the marathon running really began all the way back in 1968, right here on North Central’s campus in front of Merner Field House.
“It started back in 1968,” Carius said. “Wheaton College’s head coach and myself didn’t know much about marathons at all but decided on a whim, ‘Hey, why don’t we just have a marathon on a Saturday morning?’” he continued.
“So we measured out a course, had maybe 15 to 20 people and that’s where we got it started, until one of our athletes, Bob Gray, really started keeping it going until it got too big for us to support,” he said. Carius was a marathon finisher in its second year of existence back in 1969.
Naperville’s identity as a running town has grown along with residents’ interest in the activity, some of which has come with the success of area teams.
“All the schools in the Naperville area have such strong running programs, even elementary school-ers in this area have a chance to compete,” said Carius. “Naperville has really just bought in to all of these factors that make running exciting.”
The city of Naperville itself plays a huge part in supporting the desire for an active lifestyle.
“Having access to indoor and outdoor facilities all over keeps getting people out the door. You’re not running the same route, or on a treadmill all the time,” said Marisa Hird of Naperville Running Company. “The City of Naperville maintains their trails and forest preserves extremely well and keeps everything accessible.”
The modern version of the Naperville Marathon is organized quite a bit differently from back when Carius ran it. Hird has been a participant in the first two marathons, achieving second place for female finishers the first year and first place the following year. She was also a pace runner for this year’s marathon.
“As one of the lead sponsors, Naperville Running Company provides the marathon with a lot of different needs,” said Hird. “Not only do we provide the pacers with a lot of our staff, but also provide the official marathon race gear.”
Other than Naperville Running Company, the marathon is sponsored by several of the largest companies in the area that help them organize such a successful race.
“There’s a great post race party, great expo, the whole thing is very well organized from before you even show up to after you finish,” said Hird.
“Being a Naperville native, I’ve basically ran these streets almost my whole life and to be a part of that in a race setting is really cool,” she said. “One thing that makes this race really special is keeping it local. People still come from all over to run it but it is not nearly as much of a hassle, especially for those who have done the giant races like Chicago and are over it.“
Not only is the local factor a major draw for runners, the atmosphere of the Naperville Marathon is conducive for runners of all ages and skill levels.
“I think most people that run a marathon by far are not worrying about what place they get or if they get a medal or T-shirt,” said Carius. “They’re doing it because of the challenge. The lifestyle it takes to run a marathon has great side effects.”
