Having run the Sly Fox Half Marathon every year since its inaugural race in 2015, I have yet to see a single fox anywhere along the course. But I can say that I have seen working farms with horses, sheep, cows, and a beekeeper colony. I’ve seen deer, raccoons, skunk, and hawks in the parks and wooded areas. One year I even saw a full-grown peacock strolling across the front yard of a large mansion runners pass on the course.
For a city dweller, this is all a real treat. This race course is not the kind you could find in a crowded urban area; it’s like taking a tour of historic St. Charles and you are your own tour guide. You may not know the history of some of what you’re looking at, but you can appreciate its uniqueness.
The race course starts and ends in downtown St. Charles, Ill. It winds through newer and older areas of the city. I liked that the course is run on quiet residential streets, busy streets (Randall Rd.), on grass, bike path, and some gravel. Variety. We ran through parks, meadows, wood areas, over a wooden bridge, under a highway bridge, up and down some steep hills, and past large mansions.
The race organizers posted a map of the course states that the course is 13.3 miles. So, there’s a little added running thrown in for good measure – all this running and still not a fox to be found anywhere.
It was an enjoyable experience overall. Cool temperatures and overcast skies were a bonus. One water station along the course stands out for providing runner support. This station was manned by volunteers from Orange Theory Fitness who really outdid themselves. More than a dozen of them dressed from head to toe in bright orange, some wearing orange wigs, jumping up and down screaming and yelling encouragement to passing runners was a sight.
One major change this year was the post-party venue. I don’t think it was a change for the better either. In previous years, the race always concluded with the post-race party held at Alley 64, a bar and grill. This year it was changed to Romano Italiano, an Italian restaurant directly across the street. I have to say I liked hanging out at Alley 64 more; it’s larger inside to accommodate more runners and friends with more tables and seats. There also was a larger variety of food and portions at Alley 64, with a self-service buffet style set-up and no waiting; Romano Italiano served the food outside with runners standing in a long single file line that stretched across the parking lot. Only one restaurant employee was on hand to serve. I counted as many as 41 people standing waiting to be served: too slow.
Runners like their amenities. Even the small ones make a difference. The race website doesn’t make any mention of gear check being available. I asked the folks at packet pickup at the race site if there was gear check. They said they didn’t think so. After the event while walking around I came across a small U-Haul box truck with a paper sign on the side that said, “gear check.” Oh well.
Overall, I enjoyed this race. I think I ran the downhills too fast as I’m still feeling it in the ankles and knees today. I would definitely run this race again, yet I still need to find that elusive fox.
