Thousands participate in first Illinois Marathon

CHAMPAIGN -- Organizers for the inaugural Illinois Marathon say the race could have a $1 million economic impact on the Champaign-Urbana area.

Organizer Mark Knutson says 48 states and five countries were represented in Saturday's race. About 80 percent of the more than 8,000 participants in various events are from Illinois.

Knutson says the race has drawn visitors who may not have come to Champaign or Urbana otherwise.

He says runners and their families will generate revenue for central Illinois hotels, restaurants and gas stations.

And they aren't the only businesses to get a boost. The Body n' Sole Sports store in the nearby community of Savoy sold a month's worth of nutritional gel in the week leading up to the race.