The Red Monster 2026 Runner Guide

Race Date: Saturday, November 14th, 7:30am

Location: Natural Bridge State Resort Park                                                                             

Address: 2135 Natural Bridge Rd, Slade, KY 40376.   

Start and Finsh area will be at Pavillions 3 & 4 accross from the Whittleton Campground. 

Welcome & Thank You!

Welcome to The Red Monster 25k & 50 Mile, a trail race experience through one of Kentucky’s most iconic landscapes. Expect rugged terrain, lots of climbing, and natural arches. Thank you for coming and enjoy a beautiful day in the woods!

Event Schedule

Thursday November 12th

• Packet Pickup: J&H Running Company 5-7pm

• Address: 197 Moore Dr, Lexington, KY 40503

Friday November 13th

• Packet Pickup: Hemlock Lodge at Natural Bridge Resort Park 5-7pm

• Location: 2135 Natural Bridge Rd, Slade, KY 40376

Saturday November 14th – Race Day

• 6:30 AM – Race Day Packet Pickup Opens

• 7:20 AM - Pre-Race Safety Briefing

• 7:30 AM – 25K & 50 Mile Start

Race Overview

• Distances: 25K & 50 Mile

• Actual Distances: Caltopo has them measured out at 16.45 miles and 50.7 miles respectively so those will be closer to the actual distance your watch hits on the day.

• Terrain: Singletrack, and short road sections

• 25K Caltopo Link: https://caltopo.com/m/0958DJS

• 25K Strava Link: https://www.strava.com/routes/3439750434695546322

• 50 Mile Caltopo Link: https://caltopo.com/m/A5R5G5K

• 50 Mile Strava Link: https://www.strava.com/routes/3474878021893522220

*PLEASE PUT THE GPX FILE ON YOUR WATCH IF IT IS CAPABLE*

Course Description

25K Course

The 25K is a true lollipop loop highlighting classic RRG terrain with views of Gray’s Arch:

• Starting from Pavilions 3 & 4 at Natural Bridge, cross into Whittleton Campground

• Join the Sheltowee Trace Trail and follow it up to Tunnel Ridge Road, please cross safely and stay left of the cones in place

• You’ll turn left onto the pinch’em tight trail before exiting back on Tunnel Ridge Road right before reaching Aid Station #1 at the Gray’s Arch Parking Area

• Exit Gray’s Arch Aid Station onto Daniel Boone Hut Trail, be careful on the stairs

• Turn left onto the Gray’s Arch trail before it becomes the Rough trail, continue on rough trail until you reach the Chimney Top Rd Aid Station.

• Descend from the Chimney Top Aid Station turning left onto the Koomer Ridge Trail until it becomes the Buck Trail

• The Buck Trail will intersect the Sheltowee Trace which will bring you back to the Gray’s Arch Aid Station.

• You’ll then turn around and head for the Start/Finish back down at Natural Bridge.

•  

50 Mile Course

The 50 mile is similar to the 25k course, just done in loops:

• Starting from Pavilions 3 & 4 at Natural Bridge, cross into Whittleton Campground

• Join the Sheltowee Trace Trail and follow it up to Tunnel Ridge Road, please cross safely and stay left of the cones in place

• You’ll turn left onto the pinch’em tight trail before exiting back on Tunnel Ridge Road right before reaching Aid Station #1 at the Gray’s Arch Parking Area

• Exit Gray’s Arch Aid Station onto Daniel Boone Hut Trail, be careful on the stairs

• Turn left onto the Gray’s Arch trail before it becomes the Rough trail, continue on rough trail until you reach the Chimney Top Rd Aid Station.

• Descend from the Chimney Top Aid Station turning left onto the Koomer Ridge Trail until it becomes the Buck Trail

• The Buck Trail will intersect the Sheltowee Trace which will bring you back to the Gray’s Arch Aid Station.

• This is one full loop, you’ll complete this loop 3 more times for a total of 4 loops.

• Once the 4th full loop is completed you’ll complete 2 small loops of the Daniel Boone Hut Trail.

• You’ll then turn around and head for the Start/Finish back down at Natural Bridge State Resort Park

Aid Stations

Aid stations are placed at key access points:

• Gray’s Arch Parking Area

• Chimney Top Road Parking Area

What Aid Stations Have:

• Water, Coke, Naak electrolyte drink

• Oatmeal Creme Pies, Nerds Gummy Clusters, Pickles, Chips, other assorted foods

• First aid kits 

Cutoffs & Time Limits

• 25K Overall Cutoff: Finish before the 50 milers

Course Marking

• We will have orange PUR flags between .1-.25 miles on trail. They will be ~18 inches off the ground and will be hanging at head height as well. 

• Signage at all major intersections

• We are attempting to have volunteers at critical road crossings to help with traffic safety. Please always cross with caution

• If you go more than ~5–10 minutes without seeing markings, stop and reassess.

• THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS HAVE THE GPX FILE ON YOUR WATCH

• Below is an example of the signage and the map of intersections where the signage will be placed.

Parking, Drop Bags, Pacers, & Logistics

• Parking available at Natural Bridge State Resort Park. There is limited parking at pavilions 3 & 4 where the race will start/finish but there is a lot just above at the top of the hill and runners will be able to park in the grass behind the pavilions as well. 

• Carpooling is strongly encouraged if possible

• Please limit parking at each of the aid stations, the park is still open and we do not want to take parking spots from those enjoying the park.

• We will be taking drop bags for 50 Mile runners. We’ll be taking them up to the Gray’s Arch Aid Station whenever the aid station crew reports. Please bring them to the registration area the morning of the race no later than 7am.

• 50 Mile runners may have a pacer with them for the 3rd and fourth full loops from Gray's Arch parking aid staion. Please be mindful of parking space.

Required & Recommended Gear

Required Gear

• Cellphone - There is reception through most of the course

• Headlamp - The 50 Mile runners will more than likely be finishing in the dark
  
  

Optional but Smart

• Light jacket

• Emergency whistle

• Emergency Blanket

• Hydration Vest

• Poles

Weather & Conditions

November in the RRG can bring:

• Cold mornings (30’s °F)

• Cool to Mild afternoons (40s-50’s °F)

• Possible rain / muddy trails, we shouldn’t be dealing with snow yet but bring warm layers

Safety & Emergency

• Please be situationally aware at all times

• There are stairs at several points on the course. Please use caution as they can become slick when wet. 

• On any road section, please stay to the left hand side of the road facing traffic. 

• Please look both ways before crossing any road section.

• First aid available at aid stations

• Evacuation can take place from various points on the course. There are road crossings at several points and easy road access to all aid stations.

• In an Emergency:

  • Call 911

  • Notify nearest volunteer

Awards & Swag

• Finisher awards - Medals will be handed out as you finish the race!

• Age Group and Overall Awards will be given out to runners a short time after they cross the finish line. You can always check with Race HQ if you believe you finished with an award and we didn’t get one to you. 

• Race swag will be given out with your packet pickup.

Volunteer Appreciation

This race is made possible by incredible volunteers. Be sure to:

• Thank aid station crews

• Respect course marshals

• Follow all instructions

Leave No Trace

The Red River Gorge is a protected natural area.

• Pack out all trash if a can isn’t available

• Stay on trail

• Respect wildlife and other trail users

Final Notes

Thank you all so much for joining us for a wonderful day in the woods. We love the Red and the trails within it. We want to make this as enjoyable an experience as possible for you. Yes it’s hard, but we support each other and help each other overcome. I look forward to congratulating each of you as you cross the finish line.