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Great River Road Run

Come be a part of the Annual Great River Road Run! Get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors with friends & family, and support a great cause. Participants can take part in the Half Marathon, 5K, 10K Walk/Run as well as a 13 or 55-mile family bike ride along the beautiful, mighty Mississippi River. Event proceeds benefit the Hancock County, IL food pantries. 

Date: Saturday, October 13, 2018

Where: 

Registration: 6:30-7:45a.m. (advance registration by September 11th guarantees t-shirt)

Bike Ride: 8a.m.

Half Marathon: 8:05a.m.

5K & 10K Run / Walk: 8:10a.m.

For More Information: GreatRiverRoadRun.com or GRRR Facebook Event Page

FREE Bicycle Safety Checks & Clinics will be hosted by the Great River Road Run & Bickel's Cycling & Fitness at the Kid's Expo on Friday, October 12, 2018 from 5-7p.m. at the Memorial Medical Building!  

Good Luck to All Participants!

Ride the Mississippi!

Enjoy a beautiful ride along the scenic Mississippi River from Hamilton to Nauvoo, IL and support a good cause for the 7th Annual Great River Road Run.

The bicycle portion offers a 13.1-mile and a 55-mile route option. Both rides start at 8:00am at the boat ramp on Route 96 (just north of Route 136 in Hamilton, IL).

13.1-Mile Route: Riders will proceed north on Route 96 (the west lane will be closed to traffic for added safety precautions), running adjacent to the Mississippi River for the entire distance. The last 3-miles pass through the beautiful Mormon restorations in the river bottoms of Nauvoo and finishes in the state park. There will be water stops along the route and refreshments at the park's shelter house. Note - this is a very good route for casual riders and children! A shuttle bus service will operate until 1:00pm to return riders and their bikes to the starting point in Hamilton.

55-Mile Route: Designed for more experienced cyclists, riders will also proceed north on Route 96, running parallel to the Mississippi River for 10-miles. They will then pass through the park and heads east from Nauvoo. After a few miles, the route goes along a very scenic, winding road through Happy Hollow for about 4-miles before climbing back onto the prairie in north Hancock County. A water stop will be set up in Colusa; SAG support will also be provided. After a jaunt around the flat prairie, riders will return to the west boundary of the county, pass some vineyards, and descend back to Route 96 and the Mississippi River, about 2 miles south of Nauvoo, finishing in the State Park. Note - roads are oil and chip hard surface and in generally good condition; turns will be marked on the road surface at intersections. Maps will also be provided. And as with the shorter route, food and refreshments will be available along with the shuttle service through 1p.m. 

A Couple of Things to Point Out:

  • Both rides are chip-timed. It is important to stay on the marked course through the finish so organizers will know when all riders are done.
  • Both routes are very pleasant riding. Good weather is practically guaranteed, as is a proposed tailwind in all directions.
  • All money from this event is donated to the food pantries in Hancock County. Thousands of dollars have been given over the past years and organizers hope for more in 2018.

To Learn More, Email Steve Evans