Thunderstorms Force Cancellation of End of Illinois Marathon

About 20,000 runners were registered for the race

The remainder of the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon in Champaign and Urbana has been cancelled because of thunderstorms.

Race spokesman Rick Atterberry says organizers were canceling the rest of the race to give remaining runners and spectators time to seek shelter. He says organizers made the call around 10:15 a.m. after reports of lightning as close as Ivesdale, about 15 miles to the southwest.

Many of the 20,000 participants have already cleared the course, but police officers were being sent to distant parts of the route to alert remaining runners.

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports that buses were also being sent to pick people up along the route.

Atterberry urged residents along the route to open their homes to anyone needing shelter.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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