Part of a community outreach initiative called the Healthy Communities Events organized by the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, a nonprofit hospital in central Illinois, the Races for All Paces event is exactly that, with a half marathon, 10K, 5K Run/Walk, 1-mile fun run & walk and even races for the little kids.
All of the races follow out-and-back courses that start and finish on the campus of East Illinois University, a few miles east of nearby Mattoon — whose claims to fame include being named the “bagel capital of the world” (it’s home to the Lender’s Bagels factory) as well as the home of what its owners say is the original Burger King restaurant.