Justin Gillette crosses the finish line with a time of 2:31.34 Sunday to win the Fox Valley Marathon. Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Marathon runners leave the start area Sunday to begin the Fox Valley Marathon. More than 1,000 participants finished the run, following a course hugging the Fox River. | Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Overall winner Justin Gillette visits with a spectator Sunday after finishing the Fox Valley Marathon with a time of 2:31.34. | Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Marathon fans Nathan Hilkemann (left) and Hank Smith, both 10 of Geneva, await the start of the Fox Valley Marathon Sunday morning in St. Charles. | Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Competitors run through Fabyan Forest Preserve early Sunday morning. Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Zah Uhm, 10, of Aurora cheers for runners while waiting for his mother Bridgette, and aunt Dawn Bedwell of Phoenix, Ariz. Sunday on the Fox River Trail in Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva. Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Finishers Kimberly Stone, left, and Barbara Oborne, right, get hugs from Collette A. Miles Foundation teammates after finishing the Fox Valley Half Marathon Sunday in St. Charles. The charity honors and supports cancer patients and their families. They are from St. Charles. Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Maria Martinez of Chicago nears the finish of her half marathon race with her bashful 4-year-old-son Daniel Sunday in St. Charles. Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media2

Maria Martinez of Chicago nears the finish of her half marathon race with her bashful 4-year-old-son Daniel Sunday in St. Charles. Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media2

Deb and Allie Worley triumphantly near the finish of their half marathon race Sunday in St. Charles. Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Runner Terry Cicero "Teboes" after finishing the Fox Valley Half Marathon. Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Runner Terry Cicero "Teboes" after finishing the Fox Valley Half Marathon. Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Runners travel up the Fox River Trail in Fabyan Forest Preserve Sunday in Geneva. Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media