The Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon course is 8 laps of a flat route along the Fox River.
The 3.05 mile loop course (plus start spur) offers plenty of shade, scenic views of parks and forest preserves bordering the river, and a glimpse of downtown Batavia.
The paved trail along both sides of the Fox Valley River is very flat.
The Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon was the 221st largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 216th largest in 2022.
This year 70.8% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 58.8% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon the 2nd highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 3rd highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 99.30 ranks it as the 143rd fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 3rd fastest course in Illinois.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon a PR Score of 97.19. This PR Score ranks it as the 319th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 8th fastest in Illinois.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 695 feet (211m) Min Elevation: 668 feet (203m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon
View available accomodations around the Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
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I loved the logistical ease and friendliness of this race. The course and pacers are great, and it's a race where you can show up and run without anything complicated. For a small race, the crowd support is really great and the race volunteers are so enthusiastic and friendly. I smashed my PR and got my BQ (minus almost 5 minutes). I would definitely do this race again!
Race Tips
The race offers a 5k course preview run at 4pm the night before the 6:30am race -- I did not do this because my coach and I decided that I should do my shakeout in the morning rather than the late afternoon. I was not hindered in any way. The course is an 8 mile loop and is fool proof. So, if you don't want to run a 5k the night before your very early morning start, then don't sweat it. You don't need to. Also, you are treated like an elite athlete and allowed to have your own personal drinks table with 7 bottles - take advantage of this! I used this as an opportunity to get more carbs on board and, at the end when the sun was warming up, more sodium/electrolytes. Take advantage of everything that is offered! I arrived at the race at about 6:10am for the 6:30am start and it was perfect timing. Got my personalized bottles situated and headed to the start line to meet my pacer and the rest of the pace group.
I used VRBO to find a wonderful river-front cottage 10 min from the race start and then went to the Heritage Inn and Spa down the street for a massage after the race. Sublime.
The Fairfield Inn - St. Charles is a 10 min drive from race course, my room did not have a microwave, make sure you pick the right room if you need it.
The race organizers do everything they can to help you qualify for Boston. All runners are treated like elite athletes: every time around the course (8 laps), you can pick up your own bottle and/or energy snacks from a series of tables, refuel, and then about 200 yards after throw the bottle at a drop zone target for volunteers to put back onto the table for you the next time you pass by. Your bib number encodes your BQ time, e.g. bib 315xx means 3hr 15min is your goal time, so you instantly have friends to pace with. Weather is the only question mark with this race. Average temperature is in the mid 60s, but in 2015, it was 51F, which was perfect for racing.
Race Tips
The 2015 race was small. The running path is about 4 runners wide for most of the course. The course was not closed off for marathon runners only - there were a few casual joggers and bicycle riders going in the same or opposite direction as the marathon, but they were courteous and moved over for us.
The course has 8 loops. This is a bonus because it ensures no surprises in the course after the first 3.5 miles and that you can maximize utility of your elite table. The course crosses 2 short bridges. The first time across, my legs felt weird and my balance was a little off -- it was a bit like walking on a ship at sea and the impact is completely different than running on asphalt. But, I quickly got used to it. There one oddity was that due to construction, the race course detoured through a McDonald's parking lot!
I absolutely loved this race! The course was flat and beautiful! The pacers were excellent! The elite aid station was my favorite. Having my specific nutrition in my spot was perfect. The weather was ideal. This was the inaugural year and everything went seamlessly. I cannot say enough awesome things about this race!
Race Tips
Pacers were steady and great encouragers. Course was 8 3.25 mile loops. Do not be afraid of this. It is long enough that you are not bothered by the loops but instead look forward to the next time you see your friend, windmill(yes, I said windmill), sculpted shrubs, river, etc. extremely organized race.
I strongly encourage anyone going to geneva for any reason to stay at the Herrington Inn and Spa. It was truly delightful right down to the homemade chocolate chip cookies and milk before bed!
