The Piasa
St. Louis, United States • 16 May 2026
The Piasa Trail Races
The Piasa Trail Races take place at Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton, IL. The event includes trail races over rugged bluffs and forested ravines with technical footing, steep climbs, and demanding descents. The 50K route includes over 4,000 feet of cumulative climbing.
Distances offered:
- 12.5K - Short technical loop on bluff and singletrack trails.
- 25K - Longer course with sustained climbing and technical terrain.
- 50K - Extended route with long climbs and significant cumulative elevation.
Runners may enter two formats: Solo division for individual competitors, or Buddy division for pairs that must stay together during the race. Awards include custom handcrafted artwork for the top three overall finishers in each distance and custom awards for top age group and top buddy group.
Packet pick up and the pre-race meeting are held at the Pere Marquette Visitors Center the day before the race and on race morning. The event does not offer refunds. For medical reasons, a deferral to the 2027 event is available with a medical note; the deferral equals 50 percent of the entry fee, is nontransferable, and is valid for one calendar year.
Course maps and routes are published for each distance. The race emphasizes navigation of technical trail features and sustained elevation change. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.