sport
Belleville Running Events Open Registration: September Championship, Age Requirements, Local Venues
Runners can sign up now for the September championship race while checking later options at The Square and Union United Methodist Church.
How we reported this
The 10th Anniversary Belleville Main Street Marathon & Half Marathon is set for Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Downtown Belleville and serves as the Road Runners Club of America Illinois State Championship Event.
July sits inside the lowest-price registration window for that race, giving local residents a clear entry point before fees rise later in the summer. The city already lists three additional 2026 races on its calendar, so anyone who wants to begin training or return to competition can map out a full season using only verified local dates and venues.
Local Races and Venues
The Lucky Leprechaun 5K and Kids Rainbow Dash starts at Union United Methodist Church at 721 East Main Street on March 14. The 15th Annual Belleville Thanksgiving 5K Run and Kids Turkey Chase begins at The Square on November 26. These events use the same downtown footprint as the September marathon, so participants can train on familiar streets without traveling outside Belleville.
The marathon itself requires entrants to be at least 18 years old for the full distance and 13 for the half. Organizers post all entry details on the event site, and the same site lists the other two races under the Belleville Main Street calendar.
Current Prices and Next Steps
Registration for the 2026 Belleville Main Street Marathon costs $105 between June 1 and July 31, then rises to $130 after September 20. Runners who complete registration in the current window lock in the lower rate and receive confirmation that counts toward the state championship.
Anyone new to the sport can begin by visiting the Belleville Main Street site to open an account and select a distance that matches current fitness level. Checking the posted age minimums first avoids later complications at packet pickup. After entry, runners can locate training routes that pass The Square and the Union United Methodist Church to become familiar with the actual race surfaces before March or September.