Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association Race Series · Rockford, Michigan · Saturday, August 29, 2026
The Race 2 - Merrell Trail is a cycling and trail running event held on Saturday, August 29, 2026. It is located in Rockford, Michigan, hosted by Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association Race Series.
General Cedar Blitz Rules/Info:
Use your age at the end of the year, Dec 31st, 2026 for category selection.
Race will take place rain, snow, sleet or shine... In the event of severe weather such as thunderstorm, lightening, blizzard, hail, we will postpone the race until conditions improve. Seek shelter if severe weather occurs before, during or after the event. If severe weather causes the event to be cancelled, we will not be able to postpone this event to a later date. Determination and definition of adverse, inclement, or severe weather conditions will solely belong to the discretion of the Race Director.
This is NOT a closed course race. This race is open to vehicle traffic. Obey All traffic laws. You must follow the Michigan Vehicle code. Cycling road rules apply. You must STOP at all stop signs, always yield to the right-away. Do NOT cross the center-line of the road. Ride No more than 2 abreast. Violators will be disqualified.
Minimum 10 racers per category. Race categories that do not meet minimum amount of racers may be combined with another category at the race directors discretion.
ANSI/Snell approved bicycle helmets are required. No earbuds allowed. Your bike must be in good working condition.
Time limit of 4 hours for 18, 36, and 50 mile racers. It will be implemented and at the discretion of the race marshals and Race director. Time limit of 10 hours for the 128 mile race (13 mph average).
THERE ARE NO REFUNDS. THERE ARE NO DEFERMENTS.
Additional Rules/Info for 128 Mile Course only: Start time is 6am, July 11th. 13 mph average is expected. Cut off time 4pm. This is an Unsupported course. There are No course marshals, and the course is unmarked.
GPS computer with course download is mandatory
Lights are mandatory
This is an open course. You must obey all traffic rules.
Must provide your own support or transportation if you do not or cannot finish.
Aid station at 80 mile mark with bag drop available. Racers can pick up their bag after awards. No other aid is allowed.
Running IS a team sport, and the Brian Diemer Family of Races Cross Country Team Challenge allows you and four (or more) of your friends to experience it all together. This event resembles a high school-style cross country meet, using standard scoring and a 5K course. If you don't have a team or enough people to make an entire team, let us know, and we will help you put a team together. We also allow participants to run without being attached to a team.
This year are back at Richmond Park in the City of Grand Rapids. The 5K course will feature mowed grass, packed dirt, and gravel. The FREE community 1 Mile Run, which is open to both youth & adults, kicks off the evening.
Here is an overview of the 2025 course, https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2330110. We expect the 2026 course to be similar. It will be well-marked, with cyclists leading the way.
For a quick video on how a cross country race is scored, check out this video or simply ask us.
How to Register
We tried to make it easy for you to register and start your team (if you have one). The first person on your team to register can create the team. From there, that person can share the team name and a link for others to join. We also activated the features that allow you to change your team name and the type of team you have (female, male, coed). We are also happy to help with all of this.
If you don't have a team yet (or don't want the pressure of creating a team name), no worries! Go ahead and register yourself, and we can help you form a team later. We also allow participants to run solo, unattached from a team.
When in doubt, ask! Remember, teams can range from 5 to 7 individuals, with only the top 5 places counting towards your score (with any other runners on your team helping to block other team members from securing lower points). Coed teams do not require the number of males or females they have on them, just at least one member of the opposite gender.
The 5K portion of the event is chip-timed.
We have youth pricing turned on so anyone under the age of 20 will receive a $10 entry. Contact us at [email protected] if you would like to set up your team so members can all register for free, with a single invoice issued after the event.
Awards
Gazelle Sports has generously signed on board as an Awards Sponsor this year. They have helped us since the first year.
First Overall Female: $20 to Gazelle Sports
First Overall Male: $20 to Gazelle Sports
First Overall Female Masters: $20 to Gazelle Sports
First Overall Male Masters: $20 to Gazelle Sports
Middle of the Pack Award: $20 to Gazelle Sports
(given to the person who finishes in the middle of the final order)
Overall Female Team: all team members receive a $15 to Gazelle Sports
Overall Male Team: all team members receive a $15 to Gazelle Sports
Overall Coed Team: all team members receive a $15 to Gazelle Sports
Overall Masters Female Team (all team members must be 40+): all team members receive a $15 to Gazelle Sports
Overall Masters Male Team (all team members must be 40+): all team members receive a $15 to Gazelle Sports
Overall Masters Coed Team (all team members must be 40+): all team members receive a $15 to Gazelle Sports
Most Spirited Team: all team members receive a $15 to Gazelle Sports
(this will be voted on by the race day volunteers)
The FUN Run Mile participants are not eligible for awards. The FUN Run Mile is also not timed.
Race Day Timeline
5pm: Bib pickup
6:00pm: Community Fun Run Mile
6:25pm: XC teams report to the starting line
6:30pm: XC race starts
7:30pm: awards
We look forward to seeing you on race day!
Tri Millennium is one of West Michigan's longest-standing multi-sport events and a favorite among many local athletes. Located in the beautiful Millennium Park in Grand Rapids, MI, Tri Millennium offers an Olympic and Sprint distance triathlon, duathlon, and aquabike. Our Olympic race features a 1,500-meter swim, 24.8-mile bike, and 6.2-mile run. Our Sprint distance race features a 750-meter swim, 12.4-mile bike, and 3.1-mile run. Relay options are available for both races.
The inland waters of Millennium Park are typically calm and pleasant, the surrounding roads follow the rolling terrain for the bike course, and the paved trails through the park are flat and fast, making Tri Millennium a great race for the elite athlete looking for a summer "A" race, a beginner athlete looking to complete their first triathlon, or a primer race for those prepping for the MiTi half or full triathlon later in August. With professional timing from Trivium Racing and a full complement of volunteers and support on race day, Tri Millennium is a race for everyone.
Tri Millennium's charity partner is Bridge Street Ministries, a Christian urban youth ministry in Grand Rapids' West Side, working to support the spiritual, academic, and social development of inner-city youth, leading them with a vision of hope and restoration and believing that they will be the future leaders of our community. 100% of the donations from Tri Millennium will go to support this important work. For more information, visit bsmgr.org.
The Grand River Shootout is returning in 2026 as the final stage of the Midwest Cup Road Series with races taking place August 1&2. Schedule to be announced soon!