Cave Creek Thriller
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Cave Creek Thriller : December 20, 2025
The Cave Creek Thriller is a trail running event rescheduled to Saturday, December 20, 2025. It offers four distances: 50K, 24K, 11K, and 5K, with the event finishing inside Cave Creek Regional Park in Cave Creek, Arizona (37900 E Cave Creek Parkway). The 50K and 24K are point-to-point courses that use sections of the Maricopa Trail. The 11K and 5K stay entirely within Cave Creek Regional Park on the Go John, Quartz, and Overton Trails. Entrant limit is 500 runners. The event is part of the Desert Runner Trail Series.
Courses and logistics
- 50K - 31.2 miles, 2,810 ft total elevation gain.
- 24K - 15.6 miles, 1,960 ft total elevation gain.
- 11K - 7.3 miles, 960 ft total elevation gain.
- 5K - 3.6 miles, 542 ft total elevation gain.
Aid stations are supplied with water, electrolyte drink, sweet and salty snacks, and fruit. The race is cupless; runners must bring a reusable cup or purchase one on site. Pacers are not permitted for any distance. Crews may access the finish area and the Anthem aid station for 50K runners. A drop bag service is available at the Anthem aid station for 50K entrants. Registration for the 50K and 24K includes a shuttle ticket to the respective start lines. Cave Creek Regional Park charges a $7 park entry fee per vehicle. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
