Sat, Sep 12, 2026

Sand Creek Trail Run

Decatur, IL

Registration openAnnual since at least 2020

4.4 Miles7.6 Miles

About the Sand Creek Trail Run

The course runs through the Sand Creek Conservation District on the south end of Decatur. The terrain is rolling trail, described as fast-moving, with no significant climbing. It reads like a route designed for runners who want something more interesting than pavement but nothing technical enough to slow them down. Surrounding conservation land keeps the scenery quiet.

Packet pickup happens the evening before the race at a separate location, with a second window on race morning at the conservation district. The post-race spread includes snacks, and there are prize packages from local businesses for overall and age-group finishers. Race profits support a foundation for children of fallen soldiers.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, and the spread of finish times is wide, so this is a mostly recreational race rather than one for club runners.

4.4 Miles · 2025 results

84finishers

34:15winner

1:06:07median

1:39:00cutoff

Top 3: David Lewallen (34:15) · Tim Southerland (35:14) · Ty Douglass (39:03)

7.6 Miles · 2025 results

24finishers

51:17winner

1:19:52median

1:48:01cutoff

The Sand Creek Trail Run has been held every year since at least 2020. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 4.4 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

4.4 Miles9/12/2026 10:00$35

7.6 Miles9/12/2026 10:00$35

4.4 Miles9/12/2026 10:00$35

7.6 Miles9/12/2026 10:00$35

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

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Common Questions About the Sand Creek Trail Run

Will I finish last at the Sand Creek Trail Run?

Almost certainly not. Half the 4.4 Miles field finished slower than 1:06:07, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:39:00, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Sand Creek Trail Run a good first 4.4 Miles?

It is a small race (84 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 4.4 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Sand Creek Trail Run?

The 4.4 Miles winner ran 34:15 while the median finisher took 1:06:07. That spread points to a broad, mostly recreational field rather than a race dominated by club runners.