Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k 2026
- Date
- Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Start time
- 8:00 AM start (Chicago)
- Location
- Galena, Illinois
- Entry fee
- From $85 · goes up to $100 on Oct 31, 2026
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
Registration is open.
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8K | 8K | Oct 31, 20268:00 AM | $85$100 after Oct 31, 2026 | – |
| Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Oct 31, 20268:00 AM | $85$100 after Oct 31, 2026 | – |
| VirtualVirtual | – | Oct 31, 20268:00 AM | $75 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The 8K fee goes up to $100 on Oct 31, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- $85 until Oct 31, then $100 until Oct 31.
Online registration closes Oct 31, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $85, entry is about 52 percent above a typical half marathon in Illinois, which costs $56 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a half marathon in Illinois runs 2:14:47, about 10:17 a mile, based on 23 races with published results. Women typically finish in 2:20:39 and men in 2:03:10.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:32 AM, and the 8K starts at 8:00 AM. The start sits about 750 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
91 Bouthillier, Galena, IL 61036
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
2024 results
All resultsHalf Marathon
8K
Aggregated from official results for Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k?
At the 2024 Half Marathon, the fastest tenth finished in 1:36:46 or better, the top quarter in 1:48:17, and half the field in 1:59:43; the last tenth came in after 2:30:28.
At the 2024 8K, the fastest tenth finished in 40:14 or better, the top quarter in 47:25, and half the field in 53:49; the last tenth came in after 1:21:02.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | n/a | 1:38:41 |
| 20-29 | 1:50:43 | 1:28:22 |
| 30-39 | 1:36:58 | 1:28:24 |
| 40-49 | 1:50:31 | 1:37:07 |
| 50-59 | 1:49:48 | 1:49:50 |
| 60-69 | 2:25:55 | 1:51:44 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
What would my time get me?
Where a finish time would have placed in 2024.
How fast is it?
Faster than most Illinois half marathons
The fastest quarter of the 2024 half marathon field finished under 1:48:17, against 1:52:06 in a typical Illinois half marathon, so times here run 3 percent faster.
- 8K: Slower than most US 8Ks. The fastest quarter of the 2024 8K field finished under 47:25, against 42:05 in a typical US 8K, so times here run 13 percent slower.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Typical race-day weather
Around October 31 the day usually runs from 39°F at dawn to 57°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 25% of days. Cold snaps dip to 31°F and hot years reach 67°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
Race details
- Where
- 91 Bouthillier, Galena, IL 61036Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 750 feet
- Included with entry
- Long Sleeve Shirt (unisex)
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 8K, Half Marathon
- Editions
- 2026 (Oct 31, 2026), 2025 (Oct 25, 2025), 2024 (Oct 26, 2024), 2023 (Oct 28, 2023), 2022 (Oct 29, 2022), 2021 (Oct 30, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k?
- Saturday, October 31, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $85 before processing fees, and rises to $100 on Oct 31, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Oct 31, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Illinois?
- At $85, entry is about 52 percent above a typical half marathon in Illinois, which costs $56 right now.
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- 8K, Half Marathon.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2024, 186 runners finished the Half Marathon; the median finish was 1:59:43 and the winner ran 1:19:45.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2024 half marathon field finished under 1:48:17, against 1:52:06 in a typical Illinois half marathon, so times here run 3 percent faster.
- Where does it start?
- 91 Bouthillier, Galena, IL 61036.
From the organizers
Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Join us Saturday, October 31st for our 9th annual Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8K!
This is a fast, flat half marathon along the scenic Galena River Trail. An 8K race option is also offered.
ALL FINISHERS RECEIVE MEDALS & SHIRT IF REGISTERED BY SEPTEMBER 28th!
**Due to Galena Halloween festivities on that day, the course will close at 11:00 AM. Because of this no walkers are allowed for the half marathon and runners must finish before the course closes.