Geneva favors Fox Valley Marathon plans

Geneva is adding another fitness-oriented event to the schedule this summer - organizers are planning a marathon for Sunday, Sept. 19.

The Fox Valley Marathon received preliminary approval Monday night from the Geneva city council committee of the whole to close parts of Route 31, Stevens Street, River Lane and State Street for the races.

The event includes a half-marathon, a 20-mile race and a full marathon. Runners will start in downtown St. Charles, run south on Route 31 to Stevens, east on Stevens to River, south to State Street, east over the bridge, then down a ramp and on to the Fox River Trail.

The rest of the race is run on the trail, to Aurora and then back to St. Charles.

The Geneva road closures that day are expected to last about 45 minutes.

Registration is limited to 1,200 runners. Registration for the half-marathon already is closed.

Race organizer David Sheble of St. Charles said the 20-miler will be good for people running the Chicago Marathon three weeks later, counting as their last long training run.

He also noted the race is good publicity for the area even before the event, as entrants from Illinois are likely to come run the course during the summer. The marathon committee even has training runs every other week, he said.

"So when they get to Geneva they are still fresh and thinking of things, and when they are exhausted they are in St. Charles," joked Alderman Craig Maladra, mayor pro tem for the meeting.

Aldermen had few questions, other than to ask about fees charged.

The matter will come up for an official vote at the July 6 city council meeting.

"It sounds exciting. Good luck to you," Alderman Ron Singer said. "Can I use a golf cart?"