Arizona · 50K · 24K · 11K
Cave Creek Thriller
Cave Creek Thriller is a 50K, 24K, 11K and 5K event held in Cave Creek, Arizona. It was last held on October 17, 2026 and is usually run in October; the next date hasn't been announced yet. About 500 runners take part across all distances.
- Usually held
- October
- Location
- Cave Creek, AZ
- Field size
- ~500 runners
Race details
- Last held
- October 17, 2026
- Usually held in
- October
- Location
- Cave Creek, Arizona
- Distances
- 50K, 24K, 11K, 5K
- Field size
- About 500 runners
- Course
- 2810 ft gain
- Registration
- ultrasignup.com
- Official website
- aravaiparunning.com
Registration, course & weather
- Registration status
- Registration status as last checked September 28, 2026: open
- Entry fee
- Listed fee for the longest distance, $165 (from aravaiparunning.com, checked September 28, 2026)
- Start time
- 6:30 AM MST
- Course profile — 50K
- Point-to-point course; Trail surface; 2810 ft gain (official course data)
- Course profile — 24K
- Point-to-point course; Road surface
- Course profile — 11K
- Loop course; Road surface
- Course profile — 5K
- Loop course; Road surface
- Typical race-day weather
- about 59°F at the start, 35% humidity, 5 mph wind (based on the 2025 race day, measured near the city center rather than the exact start line; Open-Meteo, checked September 28, 2026)
About the Cave Creek Thriller
The Cave Creek Thriller is an annual point-to-point trail race in the Sonoran Desert north of Phoenix, sending 50K and 24K runners along the Maricopa Trail from Lake Pleasant to a finish inside Cave Creek Regional Park, with shorter 11K and 5K loops staying within the park. Organized by Aravaipa Running as the opener of its Fall Desert Runner Trail Series.
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Cave Creek Thriller: common questions
- When is the Cave Creek Thriller?
- The next date hasn't been announced in the listing yet. The race is usually held in October. Check the organiser's website for the official date.
- Where is the Cave Creek Thriller held?
- In Cave Creek, Arizona.
- What distances does the Cave Creek Thriller offer?
- 50K, 24K, 11K and 5K.
- How many people run the Cave Creek Thriller?
- About 500 runners across all of its distances. That figure is an estimate of the field size, not an entry cap.
- How do I register for the Cave Creek Thriller?
- Registration is handled by the organiser at ultrasignup.com. Entry fees, caps and deadlines are set there.
- Is registration open for the Cave Creek Thriller?
- Registration status as last checked September 28, 2026: open. Listed fee for the longest distance, $165 (from aravaiparunning.com, checked September 28, 2026).
- What time does the Cave Creek Thriller start?
- 6:30 AM MST.
- What is race-day weather usually like at the Cave Creek Thriller?
- about 59°F at the start, 35% humidity, 5 mph wind (based on the 2025 race day, measured near the city center rather than the exact start line; Open-Meteo, checked September 28, 2026).
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