ALTON — The Great River Road Run, sponsored by the Alton Road Runners, has been canceled due to anticipated severe weather conditions, Race Director Russ Colona announced Wednesday afternoon. The run features 10-mile and 5K races.
The race, originally scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, will not take place as forecasted snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches and north winds gusting up to 20 mph pose safety risks for participants and volunteers.
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“We are going to cancel for safety reasons for runners, volunteers, and also for someone who has to drive pretty far. We also don’t want any accidents early morning, Saturday, of people coming to the race and going home,” Colona said. He also noted that some local events have already been canceled in anticipation of the inclement weather.
The Great River Road Race has a history spanning 66 years, with Alton Road Runners Club plans to resume in November 2026, Colona said. To acknowledge participants who preregistered, in collaboration with First to Finish, the Alton Road Runners Club will mail shirts and medals to all those preregistered, Colona said.
“First to Finish graciously did it by assisting with mailing out the shirts and medals,” Colona said.
The Alton Road Runners Annual Runners Of The Year Banquet for area high schoolers is still on for 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, as weather conditions are predicted to improve, Colona said.
