Cave Creek Thriller

Cave Creek Thriller takes place in Cave Creek, Arizona, on October 17, 2026, organized by Aravaipa Running. The 50K (31 miles) goes off first at 6:30 a.m., the 24K (14.9 miles) and the 5K both start at 8 a.m., and the 11K follows at 8:15 a.m. This is desert trail running north of Phoenix in the middle of October.

Even in fall, Sonoran Desert racing means sun and dry air, so the early 50K start is there for a reason and your hydration plan matters as much as your fitness. The 5K and 11K are a good introduction for runners curious about desert singletrack, the 24K bridges the gap for anyone with road half marathons behind them, and the 50K makes a solid first ultra after a 16-week build that includes a few long runs in the heat of the day.