Thunder Mountain Challenge
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Thunder Mountain Challenge
The Thunder Mountain Challenge on October 3, 2026 is a set of three running formats held at Bridal Cave Road and Thunder Mountain Park in Camdenton, MO. The event is organized by Ha Ha Racing Events and includes the Bridal 5Kave, a 3 hour challenge, and a 6 hour challenge.
Each lap is a true out-and-back. Runners descend Thunder Mountain for approximately 1/2 mile, turn onto a short gravel lake road, then climb back up to the finish area. Each climb gains roughly 300 feet of elevation. Most running is on asphalt with a brief gravel section on the lower portion of the course.
There will be a single aid station and the official check-in location at the top of Thunder Mountain inside the Thunder Mountain Park Event Center. The aid station will offer water, electrolytes, and standard aid items, and restrooms will be available. A check-in captain will track completed climbs in real time and a live scoreboard will display standings inside the Event Center.
The Bridal 5Kave consists of three out-and-backs and finishes at about 5K distance. The 3 hour and 6 hour formats award winners by the highest number of completed climbs within the race window. If a climb is unfinished when time expires it does not count; ties are decided by who is furthest along on their final out-and-back.
For safety, pets and music devices are not allowed. The course remains open to traffic so runners should run against traffic and maintain awareness. Drop bags are permitted for the 3 hour and 6 hour challenges at the start/finish area. Multiple open-air parking lots are located near the Event Center; parking signage and yellow curb stops will identify lots. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
