2026 Red Cedar Trail Races

Nestled in the Shawnee National Forest, Giant City State Park is a premier destination for hiking, lodging, and camping in southern Illinois. We are now proud to offer a premier trail ½ marathon and 40k primarily utilizing the Red Cedar Trail. The course will consist mostly of single track, but will have some gravel road connectors, horse trails, fields, and less than a mile of paved road connectors. The trail varies from very technical to runnable in sections, boasting over 1500 feet of elevation gain (one half-marathon loop). Also, expect the possibility of getting your feet wet in several creek crossings, rain dependent! As an incentive to our teen and cross country runners, they will be capped at a $40 entry to the half-marathon. We want to encourage our youth to run the trails in southern Illinois. Also, the t-shirt is now an add-on instead of an automatic upcharge for those who wish to forgo a race shirt. (If you change your mind, there should be some extra at packet pick-up. First come, first served.)

NEW FOR 2026! For anyone not yet ready for the half-marathon, you can get a taste of the Red Cedar Trail with a new 5k option! We will utilize a service road for approximately 3/4 of a mile before connecting to the Red Cedar Trail. The rest of the 5k course will finish the same as the half-marathon course. There will be one hydration station at the return to the start/finish at approximately the 2-mile mark. Also as an incentive to our teen and cross country runners, they will be capped at a $15 entry to the 5k! (T-shirt is still an additional $12.)

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Makanda, Sports events in Makanda.