Cave Creek Thriller

Cave Creek Thriller - October 17, 2026

Register Saturday, Oct 17, 2026

Cave Creek Thriller
37900 E Cave Creek Parkway
Cave Creek , AZ

Distances: 50K, 24K, 11K, 5K

Website: Calendar Store Directions Watch Social Facebook Twitter Instagram

Registration closes: Mon, Oct 12 @ 11:59PM MT

Online registration closes the Monday before the race. Late registration is available at either packet pickup location. Details are on the race website.

Course Summary

Celebrating 15 years, the Cave Creek Thriller plays host to 4 different distances with the 50K and 24K options exploring the Maricopa Trail in point-to-point races before finishing inside Cave Creek Regional Park. The 11K and 5K distances stay entirely within Cave Creek Regional Park on hilly and pristine mountain trails. Portions of the trail are steep, rocky, and entirely exposed to the sun with great views of the expansive Sonoran Desert. The 50K & 24K registration includes your shuttle bus ticket to the start line.

Series Pass!

This is the first race of the Desert Runner Trail Series hosted by Aravaipa Running. You can register for the entire series at a discounted rate HERE.

Race Information

Anything else you may need to know is located on the Cave Creek Thriller website ! Information on the website includes: course maps, race day schedule, pacer & crew information, race perks, and more. Race entries are non-refundable and non-transferable. For other options, please check out our Race Withdrawal Policy.

Desert Runner Trail Series

The Cave Creek Thriller is the first race in the Aravaipa Running Desert Runner Trail Fall Series. The Desert Runner Trail Series now has four points divisions: Short, Middle, Trail and Ultra. The 24km race for Cave Creek Thriller will score points in the "Trail Series" while the 50km race will score points in the "Ultra Series".

Double Down

Two races, one day! Thriller is the first race in the Desert Runner Trail Run Series. This race will be held the morning after the Cave Creek Thrasher Night Trail Runs, part of the Insomniac Night Trail Run Series. Finish both the Thriller and Thrasher trail runs to win a unique medal!!

Cupless Events

In an effort to continually lessen our race footprint, we are expanding our cupless events to the Desert Runner Trail Series. We will have UltrAspire reusable cups available at registration and on race day or feel free to bring your own!

Event's current local time: 8:00 PM MT

Results

2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

Linked Events

Aravaipa Running Start Times

• 50K: 6:30 AM
• 24K: 8:00 AM
• 5K: 8:00 AM
• 11K: 8:15 AM

Ask a Question

This message will be sent to the organizers of the event. Please use this link instead to ask questions about results or registration.

Top Performances

Men Women

'25 Eric LiPuma (32) 3:38:51 '21 Ryan Raff (22) 3:51:24 '18 Catlow Shipek (40) 3:57:45 '20 Nate Meiners (27) 3:59:45 '22 Bryce Brooks (27) 4:01:08 '22 Nick Coury (35) 4:04:14 '16 Travis Swaim (28) 4:06:11 '21 Peter Mortimer (40) 4:08:41 '19 Nick Coury (32) 4:12:51 '14 Arthur Degraw (34) 4:14:35 '21 Megan Kupres (28) 4:20:22 '21 Natalie Sandoval (29) 4:24:35 '20 Lisa Roberts (42) 4:25:44 '21 Lauren Coury (35) 4:28:07 '21 Nicole Hanson (29) 4:42:24 '25 Joanna Fortier (35) 4:46:09 '24 Natalie Horn (32) 4:59:30 '18 Michelle Hawk (50) 5:08:40 '22 Rachel Buzzard (37) 5:17:23 '16 Kristina Pham (43) 5:24:31

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