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Eastern Illinois University

4.4 ★★★★☆ 191 Google reviews · College track in Charleston, Illinois

School track Outdoor

Plan your run

  • Access School track — access varies · go outside school hours
  • Outdoor an open-air oval — best in decent weather, free and unlocked at most parks
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone +1 217-581-5000
  • Website eiu.edu

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted gate hours. Park tracks often close at dusk even when the listing says later, and school tracks close for meets and practice.

Is Eastern Illinois University open to the public?

Eastern Illinois University is a college/university track, so public access varies. Many campus tracks let the community run when teams aren't training — typically early mornings, evenings, and weekends during the school year, and more openly in summer — but some are gated or restricted to students and staff. Go outside of practice and event hours, look for posted community-use rules, and call the athletics department if you're unsure.

Check access on their site

What runners highlight

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 191 Google reviews — runner-reported, in their own words.

😊 friendly regulars 2 mentions

“EIU has a welcoming campus environment and a vibrant student life with various organizations and activities.”

From the reviews

…She not only helped me stay on track academically, but also made me feel like I had a true advocate in my corner. I also want to give special recognition to some of my professors who made a lasting impact on my journey: Dr. Gordon Tucker, Dr. Misty Rhoads, Jan A. Murphy Morgan, and Dr. Thapaliya.

★★★★★ — Rebecca, Aug 2025

It was a great place to watch my granddaughter move on to the very last state finals in Track & Field.

★★★★★ — Richard, May 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 191 reviews →

Where to find Eastern Illinois University

600 Lincoln Ave, Charleston, IL61920

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

Running tracks near Eastern Illinois University

O‘Brien Field

4.5 ★★★★★ 277 reviews

Grant Ave & 4th st, Charleston, IL

Grass easy parking

Stadium with a field and track used for high school and university sporting events and competitions.

under a mile away

All running tracks in Charleston, IL →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and runner reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own or manage this track? Claim your listing — it's free.