March Madness Half Marathon is located in Cary Illinois. This race has been a great half marathon that has been put on by the Hillstriders Running Club for the last 37 years. It is a rolling and steep hills course and considered one of the most challenging halves in the Midwest. The course is set in the beautiful Mc Henry Country with beautiful homes and lots of high and steep hills. It is a race that is often a preparatory race for Boston but also a fan favorite of seasoned runners year after year. It is not a beginners course but made for those not as concerned about time but for a added challenge. I have had the opportunity to do this course for the last nine years and it seems each year it is better and better. For instance after two years of not doing the course that have seem to added more fan base and bathrooms. The course is well marked and for the first time I notice that they gave spilt times at mile 4,7, and 10. This allowed me as a slower runner to focus more on feel than on the added stress of time.

I also like this course because the cost is reasonable which is 45 dollars for the half, you get a great sweatshirt and at the end they provide hot salty pretzels. You also get to stay inside the high school which is the start and finish until the race starts and that is key because you never know if the weather is going to be hot, cold, wet or snowy. I have encountered all seasons at this race. The location is also good because whether you live in the northern suburbs or southern part of Illinois it is easy to get to.

Whether you are a fast rabbit or slow turtle it is a great race and I recommend it.