Cactus Classic Trail Races
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Event
The Cactus Classic Trail Races take place on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Sand Ridge State Forest in Manito, Illinois. This is the event's 16th anniversary; the race began in 2010. Distances offered:
- Marathon
- Half marathon
- 10K
Registration closes on Sat, Feb 28 at 11:59 PM CT. To be guaranteed a shirt or hoodie, registration must be completed by Feb 21. Entries made after Feb 21 until race day do not include a shirt or hoodie; pricing was reduced for those entries.
Course and logistics
The course runs through the pine forests of Sand Ridge State Forest and begins and ends at the Oak Campground. Trails consist of loose sandy soil and include many flat runnable sections with several rolling sections. The park contains varieties of cactus that grow wild along the trails.
Packet pickup is available race morning from 6:45 AM to 7:50 AM. Parking is in the Oak Camp area, with overflow parking along Cactus Drive. Participants who decide not to run are asked to notify organizers. Any drop in distance must be completed before the start of the race to avoid being recorded as a DNF. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
