Events
Choose your Conquer the Cave 5K Wave
Description
The race starts in a beautiful valley with picturesque mountains and fields in the background. Once runners get to the 1.9 mile mark they will enter the crown jewel of caves in the Southeast. The portion of the 5k course that runs through the cave is an out and back 0.6mi that is wide enough for 2 way traffic. Runners will pick up a glow stick at the turn around point and the decorative lighting will be on at all times. The average temperatures for race day are a low of 54F, high of 79F. Meanwhile inside the cave the year round temperature is a cool 58F. This will truly be a race like no other.
Check out this awesome video on Cathedral Caverns State Park to get an idea of the beautiful scenery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cbIBSopnDo
Packet pickup will be at Back 40 Brewing on SATURDAY September 21st from 12pm-5pm. Back 40 is located at 3254 Leeman Ferry Rd SW, Huntsville, AL 35801. There will also be packet pickup at the race on Sunday from 10:00AM-1:00pm. Please arrive 1 hour before your wave start.
Due to the interest in this race and the size of the cave, we will have multiple heats or "waves" of 200 runners each. Each wave will go off 30 minutes after the first.
Example:
11:30am: 1st Wave
12:00pm: 2nd Wave
12:30pm: 3rd Wave
1:00pm: 4th Wave
1:30pm: 5th Wave
We are unable to move runners from different waves based on the wave you select during registration. Please check with family and friends on which wave you want to participate in BEFORE registering that way you are able to run/ walk together.
WANT DISCOUNTS TO OUR RACES?
Yep that's right! If you love our races and want discounts, we have created a program just for you. Learn more about Race Club here: https://runninglane.com/racing-club
Calling all volunteers! We always need fantastic volunteers and we have a volunteer program to help save you some dough. Volunteers who work a 5 hour shift will receive free entry into a future RunningLane Event 1/2 Marathon distance and shorter. Volunteers who work (2) 5 hour shifts or (1) 8+ hour shift will receive free entry into a future RL Event 50 Miler and down OR (2) races 1/2 marathon and down. For more details please email kim@runninglane.com
Excludes the Wild Thangs Trail Series Bundle
Shirts & Awards, Weather & Cutoffs
The race shirt will be a short sleeve tri-blend shirt. ALL participants will receive an awesome finisher medal.
Age groups will be ten years: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
In the event of severe weather we will delay the start as necessary to avoid lightening. If severe weather threatens the entire day and does not appear to let up, we may be forced to cancel.
There will be very loose cutoffs. Our goal is for everyone to have a blast and a one of a kind experience running/ walking through a natural wonder, no matter what your experience level is. There will be a 1hr and 5min cutoff. We ask that you please respect the state park and volunteers and adhere to this cutoff time. Walkers are more than welcome! The average walking pace is around 18-20min/ mile. The reason we advertise a 1hr and 5min cutoff is we can't have people standing inside the cave. Everyone has to continue moving and make forward progress.
There are no refunds, credits or friend/ family transfers on entries.
Overview
Where? Cathedral Caverns State Park: 637 Cave Rd, Woodville, AL 35776
Course Maps & Elevation profiles:
5K: https://www.strava.com/routes/12984717
Driving distance from:
Huntsville: 31 miles
Chattanooga: 83 miles
Birmingham: 93 miles
Florence: 103 miles
Nashville: 139 miles
Atlanta: 161 miles
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Place
Woodville, AL US 35776
What does racing through a cave look like?
Check out footage from the 2021 Race to the Cave Half Marathon
Directions
Race Participant Survey
Please complete the following survey to help us better understand your race experience.
