Suburban race hopes to spark new tradition

If it hadn't been 85 degrees at the 2007 Chicago Marathon, it's possible that the Fox Valley Marathon through the streets and trails of the Tri-Cities and Aurora on Sept. 19 might not be occurring.

Two marathon runners from St. Charles - Dave Sheble and Craig Bixler - ran in that steamy Chicago Marathon and were not happy with their results.

"We had to find another marathon to get into to make up for it, and we got in the Grand Rapids, Mich., marathon three weeks later," said Bixler, a 50-year-old software engineer. "It was an event with a river path and trails much like we have here, and we had a great time.

"Coming back home, we started thinking we could do something like that here in the Fox Valley," Bixler said.

Bixler said that Sheble, a 54-year-old real estate agent, kept bugging him about the idea for the next two years.

Then Bixler had another awakening when attending a movie about running last year at the Arcada Theater, hosted by Glen Kamps, manager of the Dick Pond Athletics running store in St. Charles.

"That was my light-bulb moment," Bixler said. "It was amazing to see so many people interested in running. It was very inspiring and made me realize how nice it would be to have an impact like that."

With the 2010 Chicago Marathon coming in October, Sheble knew the time was right to gather sponsors and create community interest in three events on the same day in the Fox Valley a month before Chicago - a full marathon, a Final 20, and a half marathon.

"Marathoning is exploding in popularity, and we have great topography on our side," Sheble said. "There are 10 different jurisdictions involved in keeping the paths clear and keeping the runners safe, and everyone is singing from the same hymnal now."

Many levels of sponsors fell into place for the idea to bring a marathon to the area for the first time in 30 years. A major sponsor was lured in Dick Pond Athletics, which will have its name attached to the event as the Dick Pond Athletics Fox Valley Marathon, while Dreyer Medical Clinic will sponsor the Final 20 race.

Registration for runners filled quickly. More than 1,000 runners are expected, though spots remain open for those who register through a charity partner program donation on the foxvalleymarathon.com website.

"We have certain charity partners listed, and the runners can register with $100 of their entry fee going toward the charity," Sheble explained.

"This event is going to be great on a number of fronts," Sheble said. "It's a great way to promote the area, with all of the different communities involved; it's a great way to help the local charities and businesses; and it's great timing for the runners, especially those who are entering the Chicago Marathon three weeks later."

More than 800 volunteers and emergency personnel will be on hand along the 26.2-mile trail that starts and ends at First and Indiana streets in St. Charles after winding through Geneva, Batavia, North Aurora and Aurora.

"Everyone recognizes the unique nature of this, that we are starting a whole new tradition," said Sheble, who got hooked on running through his wife and eventually ran in many charitable events before expanding into major marathons.

"This is a spectator sport now," Sheble said. "People will be coming out for the spectacle of it, not just because they know someone in the race.

"There are many great places for spectators to gather to watch the runners, and we have a good spectator guide on our website that can be downloaded."

Last, but not least, organizers and runners are hoping for good weather - ideally something in the 50-degree range.

"We have every angle covered, and we have a medical system that is well thought-out," Sheble said. "We can't control the weather, but for this time of year, in this area, I like our chances."