September 6, 2026 & April 11, 2027
6:30 AM Geneva, IL
Upcoming...
- Aug ?? BAA will announce 2027 registration schedule
- Aug 04 Fall BQ.2 Bib numbers will be available
- Aug 21 Fall BQ.2 Runner Guide will be available
Race Information
Course
A course specifically designed to get you to Boston!
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Runner-Friendly
Featuring a net downhill, (thanks to a gentle grade on the 1.8 mile starting spur), the 3.05 mile loop course offers plenty of shade, scenic views of parks and forest preserves bordering the river, and a glimpse of downtown Batavia.
02
Course Support
The 8 loop course means 16 Aid Stations, 8 rounds at the Elite Water Bottle table (yes, you are treated like an elite runner in this one), and plenty of opportunities for race-provided gel and of course, your own cheering section.
03
USATF Certification
Note: Mile 0.5 and mile 1.2 each have a 100 meter section of crushed limestone and loose gravel. (In case gravel sticks in your planned racing shoes)
Packet Pickup
Fall Bib lookup available 8/04 for registrations as of 2/28
Pre-Race Packet Pickup
Spring Chance - Saturday, 4/11
Last Chance - Saturday, 9/05
11 am to 5 pm
Fabyan Forest Preserve West, Pavilion
1925 S. Batavia Ave.(Route 31) Geneva, IL
Race Day Packet Pickup
Spring Chance - Sunday, 4/12
Last Chance - Sunday, 9/6,
5:15 am to 6:15 am
Fabyan Forest Preserve West Entrance
1925 S. Batavia Ave.(Route 31) Geneva, IL
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Please bring your photo ID with a birth date (e.g., driver’s license) to pick up your packet. No packets will be given out without a valid photo ID.
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Only the registered runner will be able to pick up a packet.
Race Day Parking
Main Parking
1950 S. Batavia Ave.(Route 31) Geneva, IL
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Opens 5am
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4 minute walk across the street from race village​
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designated non-coned spots only!
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Thanks to The Preserve of Geneva!
Overflow Parking (Sept race)
1500 Crissey Ave (Route 25) Batavia, IL
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Opens 5:55am
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7 minute walk across the footbridge from race village​
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No-line washrooms available
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NOT recommended for ...
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race morning packet pickup
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elite bottle drop
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Pace Team
Our thanks to Dick Pond Athletics for providing the BQ.2 Marathon Races Pace Team.
![Dick Pond Logo Red black[1] copy.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/74e24c_538fae62f11a434e8470a1574d160626~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_481,h_122,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Dick%20Pond%20Logo%20Red%20black%5B1%5D%20copy.jpg)
New for Spring 2027
Limited Registered Personal Pacer options are available! See below
Pacing you to your qualifying time would just ensure that you qualify but cannot run Boston. Great for bragging rights, but your experience would end there. We don’t want you to register only to be shut out of the race. We want to help you to the starting line at Hopkinton. The BQ.2 pace team will lead you to a finish time 4 minutes under your qualifying standard, so that finishing with your group means a qualifying time with better odds of getting you into Boston. The table below shows pacer goals.
Runners can run with any pace group or form their own at the start. The first 3 digits of your bib are your qualification time, which helps you find others to run with.
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Pace teams are provided for every qualifying pace under 4:30 that has 5 or more registrants, and at 4:30 when the race ends.
How many can I expect in my qualifying pace group?
While anyone may run with any group, and many set goals below their qualifying standard, the chart below is still a reasonable indication of how many runners you will be with for the early portion of the race.
Looking for a larger cushion than our pace groups offer? ...
- You won't be the only one. Find others in the starting corral and make your own pace group or...
- Run with your pace group for the 1st 4 laps (14 miles) and then 10 seconds faster per mile for the last 4 laps (12 miles) to drop to 6 minutes below your qualifying standard.
Limited Registered Personal Pacer Options are available
Spring race registration includes the option for a Registered Personal Pacer for runners looking to bring someone to help them achieve their goal. Pacer Registration (coming soon) and a fee are required.
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Limited to the 1st 26 to sign up for the option
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Limited to 1 pacer per racer participant. Pacer bib is non-transferrable.
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Personal pacers can run the entire race or any portion thereof and will not receive a finish time.
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Must register as a pacer by 2/28
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Pick up your pacer bib between 5:30am - 5:55am race morning at gear check.
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ID required,
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bibbed runner must accompany you
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Unavailable for the fall race due to capacity limits
Unregistered Personal Pacers are Prohibited
For all runners to have their best chance on an uncrowded course, runners cannot run with unregistered personal pacers. Violators will be disqualified, at the discretion of the race directors.
Runner Draw
The dream of Boston and the unique focus of the BQ.2 races draw runners from around the country and the world. Who will you be running with this race?
