Cave Creek Thriller
- Date
- October 2027 · date TBA
- First start
- 6:30 am
- Distances
- 4 distances
- Time limit
- 9.5 Hours (4:00 pm)
- Elevation gain
- 2,810 feet
Now celebrating 17 years, the Cave Creek Thriller hosts four different distances and acts as the first race of the Fall Desert Runner Trail Series.
What began as a looped course within the Cave Creek Regional Park years ago, 50K runners will have the unique opportunity to connect two regional parks in one day on the Maricopa Trail!
Good to know
/ Start Area The finish line is located at the Group Picnic Area within Cave Creek Regional Park. Overflow parking will be available in portions of the horse staging area parking lot or around the Tonalite Drive Loop approximately 1/4 mile from the start/finish area. We are not allowed to park at the Visitor Center.
to Cave Creek Regional Park From central Phoenix, take I-17 north to Carefree Hwy (SR 74). Exit Carefree Hwy. and travel east to 32nd St. (7 miles). Turn north on 32nd St. to the Cave Creek Regional Park entrance.
Address 37900 E Cave Creek Parkway Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Remember the park now charges a $10 park entry fee per vehicle (as of 1/1/26). Please arrive early and have correct change (cash) available on race morning for a smooth entry process. Carpool to save! If you are participating in the double (day & night runs) your pass is good all day.
11K Runners you MUST PARK at the Cave Creek Memorial Arena and we will have SHUTTLE BUSES waiting for you. The address for the Arena is 37201 N 28th St, Cave Creek, AZ 85331. It is a short 7-10 minute ride from there. After the event we will have buses making continuous trips back until 11:30a. No 11K runners shall park inside Cave Creek Regional Park.
Buses depart Cave Creek Memorial Arena Overflow lot at 7:15am.
Pick your distance
The numbers for each course, straight from the race page. Compare them side by side below.
- Date
- Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Start Time
- 6:30 am
- Time Limit
- 9.5 Hours (4:00 pm)
- Distance
- 31.2 Miles
- Total Elevation Gain
- 2,810 feet
- Max Elevation
- 2,518 feet
Compare the distances
| 50KM | 24KM - Sonoran Desert Cup | 11KM | 5KM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 17, 2026 | – | – | – |
| Start Time | 6:30 am | 8:00 am | 8:15 am | – |
| Time Limit | 9.5 Hours (4:00 pm) | 8+ Hours (4:00 pm Overall Cutoff) | 7+ Hours (4:00 pm Overall Cutoff) | 8 Hours (4:00 pm Overall Cutoff) |
| Distance | 31.2 Miles | 15.6 Miles | 7.3 Miles | 3.6 Miles |
| Total Elevation Gain | 2,810 feet | 1,960 feet | 960 feet | 542 feet |
| Max Elevation | 2,518 feet | – | 2,481 feet | – |
Course & location
Cave Creek Regional Park, Cave Creek, AZ
Course map Entry fees
Prices go up as race day gets closer; register early.
| Until 4/30 | Until 8/14 | Until 10/12 | Race Week | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5KM | $40 | $45 | $50 | $55 |
| 11KM | $55 | $65 | $75 | $85 |
| 24KM | $95 | $110 | $125 | $135 |
| 50KM | $135 | $150 | $165 | $175 |
Prices don't include tax or registration-platform fees.
