Naperville Cancels 2017 Marathon: Report

Organizers with Naper Events LLC have canceled the 2017 Naperville Marathon, choosing to host only a half marathon and 5K instead.

The city said clogging an extra 13 miles of roads was too much of an inconvenience for the low number of participants that were registered to run next year's race, the Daily Herald reports.

Organizers, however, see the exclusion of a 26.2 mile race as a good thing, claiming it will make the event more appealing to participants of all fitness levels.

"We think it actually gives us an opportunity to open up the race weekend to more runners and walkers with the 5K," race director Dave Sheble told the newspaper in a recent interview. "It will give more people a chance to participate in what's become the premiere running weekend for Naperville."

The Naperville Marathon previously served as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

The 2017 race is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 22. The half marathon will begin about 15 minutes before the 5K in downtown Naperville.

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