THE FOX RIVER TRAIL
By Gary Moss

As for the best running area in the great Chicagoland area, I don't think a running 'sanctuary' exists that can beat what we're blessed with out in the "Great Western Suburbs." The Fox River Trail actually 'runs' from beyond the southern edge of Kane County (south of Aurora) to well past the northern edge near Algonquin, a distance of well over 30 miles. And it truly follows right along the very edge of the historic and beautiful Fox River.

There are also numerous locations along the Fox River Trail where you can switch over to the Illinois Prairie Path (which takes you eastward past West Chicago, Warrenville, and Wheaton). And plans are in the works to connect the trail to the "Great Western Trail" on the west side of St. Charles, which runs all the way to Sycamore (roughly 15 miles to the west).

The best section, or the heart of the trail, is near St. Charles and Geneva. Route 38 and 64 parallel each other going west. From Chicago drive west on the Eisenhower to 1-88, the East/West toll road, exit Farnsworth north, which becomes Kirk Road going north to a choice of roads west to Route 25 which runs along the east side of the Fox River.

A good road to take west to the river is Fabyan Parkway, where there are parking facilities at the Fabyan Forest Preserve. It's a nice staging area to start a run north or south, on either side of the river.

The most popular and most heavily traveled area of the trail is between Wilson Street in Batavia and Route 64 in St. Charles. Pottawattamie Park in St. Charles is right on the river and a beautiful area. Starting at the park in St. Charles and down to Aurora on the river is the Great American Canoe Race, held each year in June.

People can try different areas along the trail. The area south of St. Charles is relatively flat. North of St. Charles the trail has rolling hills up to South Elgin. This is also a very pretty area.

If you drive to the trail from the north, take 1-90, and take Route 25 south to Elgin. Route 25 runs along the east side of the river, and Route 31 along the west side.

The washrooms along the trail general do get locked up in the fall to late spring. But there are wooden port-a-johns year round in some locations along the trail, mainly in the forest preserves. The water fountains also are not on during the off season. One is really not far from civilization to find washrooms along the trail.

Food is available right off the trail within a block or two in all the communities along the river. During peak season there are food stands along the trail itself.

Running events that take place on the Fox River Trail include the Healthy Hop 5k in Geneva in March; Community Classic lOk/5k in Geneva in June; Windmill Whirl lOk/5k in Batavia in July; McCormick Fox River 15k/8k in St. Charles in August (the most challenging of the races); and the Autumn Breeze lOk/5k in Batavia in October.

My group, the Fox River Trail Runners, hosts the Fox and the Turkey on Thanksgiving Day in Batavia.

We presented the first annual Great Western 30k in St. Charles in May, which runs on the Great Western Trail. There are only five roads crossed on the out-and-back course. In this inaugural year we had 250 athietes. We had a great response to the event and the distance.

Whatever the active an outdoor person or family enjoys, be it running, biking, roller blading, or just walking and enjoying nature, come on over to our neck of the woods. You'll love it and want to come back again, and again.

For maps of the area call the Kane County Forest Preserve, or the Chambers of Commerce of the towns along the Fox River.

If you'd like more information on the Fox River Trail Runners, Contact Gary Moss at 630/208-6677, or via mail at P.O. Box 371, Geneva, IL 60134-0371.