My Quad City Marathon Journey

Four Cities. Two States. One Unforgettable Experience.

A few Alpiners were talking about the Quad City Marathon. I didn’t know much about it, but when I heard “four cities” and “two states,” I was instantly intrigued. It sounded like a mini adventure — a chance to explore while doing something I love.

Soon, our group chat was buzzing. Who’s signing up? Who’s training? Before long, we had a good bunch of Alpiners on board. During our long practice runs, we talked about races — and somehow, the Quad City Marathon always made it into the conversation.

Some veteran Alpiners who had run the full Quad City marathon warned us that the course wasn’t the best — uneven stretches, limited shade — but we were too excited to care. We had our minds set.

Getting Ready

I created our WhatsApp group, and Michael jumped in to make a training schedule. We followed it… loosely, let’s say. But training went well overall — no injuries, and I managed to log all the big runs, including those tough 20+ milers. By the time race week rolled around, I was feeling ready and confident.

The Hotel Hunt

Signing up for the race was the easy part. Finding a hotel — not so much. Airbnb options in the Quad Cities were underwhelming, so I booked a hotel early. A few months later, Michael said he’d be going on Friday for the shakeout run, the expo, and the festivity, so I tried to adjust my reservation.

Big mistake — the date change resulted in doubling the hotel prices. Not happy about that, I switched to a different place. I had one simple requirement: a bathtub to soak in after the race. I got the tub, but the hotel refused a late checkout, so that post-race soak never happened.

Lesson learned.

The Drive Down

Friday’s weather was perfect. I hit the road, stopped near Rockford at an arboretum that looked great online — but in person, it was more like a forest preserve than a botanical garden. An hour walk, a few photos, and I was back on my way.

I took scenic Route 2 along the river — a beautiful drive. By 5 PM, I reached my hotel, checked in smoothly, and got a “suite” that was unfortunately right next to a noisy exit door; every door slam echoed in my room. The tub had mold. I was too tired to argue.

Dinner was at Sol 2 Thai Street Food in Rock Island. The name promised “street food” flavor, but the taste was bland. Disappointing. By dusk, I was back in the room, ready to rest.

Shakeout Saturday

Up early and at the shakeout run by 6:30 AM. The air was crisp, a bit chilly, perfect for running. They offered yoga, but it was on the street without a mat. I skipped it and did my own stretches.

The run began at 8 AM. Michael and I ran about four miles, chatted, and picked up our bibs afterward. The expo was small but lively. I met a few people, including Doug Pitchford and Mike Mallon, one of the assistant race directors.

Then came a fun surprise — the Pump and Run Charity Challenge. You lift weights, and each rep earns a time deduction. I did 30 reps each of bench press and curls. This resulted in 30 30-minute time deduction for the race time. Not sure what that meant, but hey — it was for charity!

Afterward, I walked along the river, then headed back for lunch — Pho from a nearby Vietnamese spot. Perfect comfort food.

That evening, Michael organized a team dinner. Most runners stayed on the Illinois side, so they arrived early. I sat with Kit and Rachel and their spouses, and we had a great time. By 8 PM, I was back at the hotel, gear laid out, and car packed for the morning.

Race Day

I set my alarm for 4:30 AM, but woke up before it. I left with what I thought was plenty of time — until I hit the ramp closures, i could see the parking spot only 2 min drive away. The main ramp closure forced a long detour and heavy traffic. My 30-minute cushion vanished fast.

Still, I made it just in time for the group photo. We hugged, wished each other luck, and made our way to the start line.

The race started on time. The first nine miles felt great — familiar roads I had driven the day before. I was maintaining a strong pace and even thought I could hit a personal record, maybe around 4:20.

Then came the stretch through Bettendorf — quiet neighborhoods, rolling hills, and not much scenery. Water stations became sparse. The promised “Gatorade every two miles” didn’t happen. By mile 14, I missed having my water bottle.

Crossing into Iowa, the sun got intense. No shade for miles. I kept fueling with gels and fruit, but by mile 18, my quads started cramping. Downhills hurt. Uphills felt endless. I stopped a few times to stretch, but couldn’t shake the stiffness. From mile 18 to 23, it was mostly walking and some running.

Then at mile 24, I spotted Julie — one of Michael’s friends volunteering. She called out, “Do you need a hug or a high-five?” I definitely needed that hug. That brief moment of encouragement gave me the mental reset I needed.

By mile 25, I started running again. The finish line clock came into view — I had only a couple of minutes left to beat the 5-hour mark. I dug deep and sprinted — lungs burning, legs screaming, heart racing.

I crossed the finish line just under five hours. Some Alpiners had finished earlier, some ran the half, but they all waited for us. That camaraderie meant everything.

Jessica, running her first full marathon, was our fastest finisher. Nichole had passed me at mile 18. I came in third from our group, followed by Aislenn, Kit, Mary Ann, and finally Mary P — all smiles at the finish.

The Aftermath

After hugs, photos, and fruit at the finish, I went in search of a shower. The race director, Mike Mallon (michaelpmallon@yahoo.com, 563 514 6962) mistakenly sent me to a closed YMCA, so I drove 20 minutes to another one. Quick rinse, then off to meet the team for lunch at Steel Plow, a burger place. We laughed, shared stories, and celebrated our race-day battle scars.

Afterward, I grabbed my essential cup of tea from Starbucks and started the drive home. It was smooth — until the urge to pee hit. I missed an “Oasis” rest stop (now I know what that means!) and had to pull over at a crash investigation turnout. Crisis averted!

Dinner was at home, followed by a long Epsom salt soak. Later that night, I felt hungry again, so I had a homemade protein bar with warm soy milk, turmeric, and cinnamon. That, finally, hit the spot.

The very best part, I turned 65 this year, and my bib number was 65.

Lessons Learned

Book early and double-check hotel details. Small things like checkout time and distance can make a big difference.
Always have a Plan B. For hotels, parking, and even meals.
Arrive earlier than you think you need to. Road closures can eat up precious minutes.
Carry your own hydration bottle. You’ll thank yourself later.
Limit your pre-race stay to one night. You probably won’t sleep well in a new bed anyway.
Save sightseeing for afterward. Enjoy the city once the race is done and your legs have earned their rest.

The Quad City Marathon wasn’t perfect — the course had its challenges, and the trip had its share of hiccups — but it was memorable, full of laughter, lessons, and community.