Red Cedar Trail Races at Giant City State Park

Red Cedar Trail Races at Giant City State Park Race/run primarily on the Red Cedar Trail at Giant City in the heart of southern Illinois.

📸 THE OFFICIAL PHOTOS ARE LIVE! 📸The moment you’ve all been eagerly awaiting has officially arrived! The incredible team...
06/03/2026

📸 THE OFFICIAL PHOTOS ARE LIVE! 📸

The moment you’ve all been eagerly awaiting has officially arrived! The incredible team at Colson Photography has been working around the clock, and the full gallery from Saturday's epic showdown is officially ready for you.

👉 https://www.colsonphoto.com/2026-Races/2026-05-30-Red-Cedar-Trail-Races

Go hunt down your bib number, relive glory of race day, and change those profile pictures!

Thank you to Colson Photography's Chad and Micki Beth Colson!

06/02/2026

🌲 The Forest Has Quieted Down, But the Energy Lives On! 🌲

I want to thank all the incredible participants for making Saturday an absolutely amazing race day--the biggest and best one, yet! Everyone should be proud of their efforts on the trail Saturday. From the inaugural 5k, to the original half marathon, to the 2nd year of the 40k, you all brought it! I hope everyone had a great time and look forward to seeing you all next year!

I went out yesterday to start sweeping the course and it was so peaceful as it should be. But, for just one spectacular day, we made the forest come alive with tons of energy and excitement! It brings me lots of joy to see everyone having fun and accomplishing hard things!

🏆 A Massive Thank You to Our Village:

-A huge shout-out to the army of volunteers (too many to mention) at registration, parking, set-up, aid stations, and finish line. Weren't they all amazing?!
-Thanks to Jason Claunch of So iLL for keeping everyone connected via RaceJoy tracking and providing flawless event timing.
-Thanks to the park staff for mowing the fields and trail heads, and removing downed trees for a better course. They go above and beyond for the race to ensure it's in tiptop shape. Also to Jennifer at the visitor's center for the kids' swag, along with Katie Cutsinger for some awesome additions. I hope they enjoyed their goodies!
-Big shout out to Chafin' at the Aid Station's very own Matt Middlebrooks "Mild" for setting up the finish line interviews. How much fun was that?!
-Thanks to Cody McMahan from Union County EMS for being on site to ensure everyone was taken care of if needed.
-Always a pleasure and thankful to have Colson Photography behind the lenses to capture all your beautiful smiling faces! (I hear the pictures are rolling in, now!)

🤝 To Our Phenomenal Sponsors:
Please help me thank
Friends of Giant City State Park,
Missouri Running Co. Cape Girardeau,
Chafin' at the Aid Station,
The Law Office of Rebecca L. Reinhardt, LLC
Travis Holtkamp - COUNTRY Financial
Edward Jones-Financial Advisor: Tommy Colboth
and Giant City Lodge.

And how about that Good'n Popped Gourmet Popcorn ?! Was that not some amazing stuff? Thank you, Maggie, for the delicious treat! It was a hit with everyone I saw.

I hope everyone had a great time out there. Rest up, recover well, and I can't WAIT to see you all back at Giant City next year!

-Phillip

P.S.
📸 Share Your Shots! We want to see the race through your lens. Drop your favorite photos, muddy shoe shots, and post-race celebration pics in the comments below!

40k year over year results. Don't rest for what's in store for next year. Shall we extend it to a full marathon??? I got...
06/01/2026

40k year over year results. Don't rest for what's in store for next year. Shall we extend it to a full marathon??? I gots an idea! It's not much, but it isn't much to add a mile and change to the 40k. :D

Half marathon yearly results.
06/01/2026

Half marathon yearly results.

06/01/2026

Overall Top Finisher Results:

5k Male (Inaugural year)
1st Lance Miskelly, 36, 27:54.37
2nd Vincent LeNeave, 12, 29:38.97
3rd Kelly R LeNeave, 49, 29:39.53

5k Female (Inaugural year)
1st Heidi Criner Livesay, 48, 28:29.07
2nd Kelly Smith, 13, 29:33.09
3rd Trisha Grohowski, 43, 31:29.45

Half Marathon Male
1st Timmy Parr, 44, 1:42:42.99 (New Course Record by 9:41)
2nd Kelly Hutchins, 55, 2:10:37.73
3rd Cannon Lomax, 51, 2:11:39.06

Half Marathon Female
1st Julia Lasley, 23, 2:43:04.72
2nd Sara Kaiser, 41, 2:44:12.74
3rd Lezlie McConnell, 28, 3:03:59.39

40k Male
1st Jeff Walls, 54, 4:26:36.10 (New Course Record by 6:40)
2nd Justin Ross, 39, 4:48:32.77
3rd Aron Taylor, 24, 4:54:05.36

40k Female
1st Claudia Sigel, 24, 5:46:22.18
2nd Zena Dorris, 23, 6:19:31.52
3rd Sarah Brennfleck, 50, 6:31:51.26

Timing by So iLL

05/31/2026

Still reeling from all the excitement from yesterday, unpacking everything, and reading through all the amazing posts about the race. As soon as I have some extra time, I'll make another post. I think I fell asleep before 8pm last night being so worn out myself. But at this time, thank you to EVERYONE involved. Another post will be coming. My heart is full. ❤️

05/29/2026

Don't forget to give a big smile to Chad and Micki behind the camera!!!

05/29/2026

Bethalto represents in the 40k! 🌲🏃‍♂️

A massive welcome to Andrew Costello, making the trip down from Bethalto to take on the biggest challenge of the weekend—the Red Cedar 40k!

Andrew is stepping up to the starting line to face 24.8 miles of pure Southern Illinois grit. Taking on two loops of Giant City's technical single-track, slick creek crossings, and relentless rocky climbs requires an elite level of mental toughness. We are thrilled to have Madison County represented out deep in the woods!

Welcome to the 40k field, Andrew!

05/29/2026

Welcome to the Field, Nicole Sheehan! 🌲🏃‍♀️

Joining us from Du Quoin, Nicole is officially locked in for the Red Cedar Half Marathon!

We love seeing the Southern Illinois running community coming together, and having Du Quoin well-represented on the trails of Giant City is exactly what this race is about. Get ready for an epic day on the trails!

Welcome to the forest, Nicole!

Address

235 Giant City Road
Makanda, IL
62958

Telephone

+16189251286

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