Online registration closes the Monday before the race. Late registration is available at either packet pickup location. Details are on the race website.
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.
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 .
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".
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!!
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!
Oct 17, 2026
Distance — 50K
Type — Running
06:30
$150.00
Oct 17, 2026
Distance — 24K
Type — Running
08:00
$110.00
Oct 17, 2026
Distance — 5K
Type — Running
08:00
$50.00
Oct 17, 2026
Distance — 11K
Type — Running
08:15
$65.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for October in Cave Creek.
Learn more about the host city, Cave Creek.
Cave Creek is a small town north of Phoenix and part of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. It is a popular destination for equestrians, bikers, and those seeking high-end resort lifestyles.
Read more launchWatch highlights and course previews from previous years.
All-time top performances and historical records for Cave Creek Thriller.
| Place | Name | Year | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Eric LiPuma | '25 | 3:38:51 | |
| 🥈 | Ryan Raff | '21 | 3:51:24 | |
| 🥉 | Catlow Shipek | '18 | 3:57:45 | |
| 4 | Nate Meiners | '20 | 3:59:45 | |
| 5 | Bryce Brooks | '22 | 4:01:08 | |
| 6 | Nick Coury | '22 | 4:04:14 | |
| 7 | Travis Swaim | '16 | 4:06:11 | |
| 8 | Peter Mortimer | '21 | 4:08:41 | |
| 9 | Nick Coury | '19 | 4:12:51 | |
| 10 | Arthur Degraw | '14 | 4:14:35 |
Read what other athletes have to say about their experience at the Cave Creek Thriller.
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location_on Cave Creek, Arizona, US
calendar_today Oct 17, 2026
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