Conquer the Cave 5K

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 RunningLane on FRIDAY from 2-7PM and SATURDAY September 20th from 10:30AM-4:30PM. RunningLane is located at 2407 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, AL 35801. There will also be packet pickup at the race on Sunday from 7:00AM-10AM. 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:

9:00am: 1st Wave
9:30am: 2nd Wave
10:00am: 3rd Wave
10:30am: 4th Wave
11:00am: 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.

You must stick to your wave assignment! If you do not run in the wave you signed up for, you will not receive a finishing time.

Yep that's right! If you love our races and want a 15% discount on all your running shoes, running gear and our races, we have created a program just for you. Learn more about The RUNNINGLANE COLLECTIVE HERE

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

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.

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

Check out footage from the 2021 Race to the Cave Half Marathon