The Piasa
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Event Overview
The PIASA, presented by the Wildcat River Runners, is a trail running event held on Saturday, May 2, 2026. It takes place in and around Pere Marquette State Park near 13112 Visitors Center Ln, Grafton, Illinois, in the St Louis, Missouri area.
The event offers three trail distances on rugged terrain with bluffs, forested ravines, technical footing, and significant climbs. The course features long ascents and descents and is described as having sustained climbing and over 4,000 feet of elevation gain for the longest distance.
Distances and Format
Available distances are:
- 12.5K trail run
- 25K trail run
- 50K trail run (about 4,000 feet of climbing)
Runners can enter in two formats:
- Solo Division - individual participation
- Buddy Division - two runners stay together for the full course
The event is described as demanding, with technical trails and terrain that requires focus on both climbs and descents.
Location and Logistics
The races are held within Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, Illinois, using the park’s trails through bluffs and wooded ravines. Registration closes on Saturday, May 2 at 6:00 AM Central Time.
Course details, cutoffs, packet pickup information, awards, swag, and lodging details are planned but not yet provided.
Registration Policies
There are no refunds for any event. Refunds are also not provided if the race is cancelled due to severe weather, disaster, or other emergencies affecting participant safety.
For medical reasons, participants may defer to the 2027 event with a note from a medical professional. The deferral covers 50% of the entry fee, is valid for one calendar year, and is not transferable to another person or another race and is non refundable. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
