Red Cedar Trail Races at Giant City State Park
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Red Cedar Trail Races at Giant City State Park
The Red Cedar Trail Races take place on May 30, 2026, at Pavilion 5 in Makanda, Illinois, inside Giant City State Park in the Shawnee National Forest. The event program includes these distances:
- 5k (Taste of Red Cedar)
- 1/2 marathon (Red Cedar Trail 1/2 Marathon)
- 40k (Red Cedar Trail 40k)
Course and race logistics
The courses primarily use the Red Cedar Trail and sometimes intersect the River to River Trail and nearby horse trails. Surfaces include mostly single-track trail, gravel road connectors, horse trails, fields, and under one mile of paved road. The half-marathon loop has over 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Creek crossings may occur depending on weather. The start and finish are at Pavilion 5. The course will be marked with ribbons, arrows, directional signs, and confidence markers. The course is open to hikers and horseback riders.
Aid and finish details: the half-marathon and 40k have two aid stations and two hydration stations; the race is cupless, so no cups will be provided on course. Packet pickup is available at Pavilion 5 on the event day and during an earlier evening pickup. Finishers in the half-marathon and 40k receive medals; all participants receive a swag bag. T-shirts are available as an add-on. Age minimums: half-marathon open to ages 13 and older, 40k open to ages 18 and older. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
