Conquer the Cave 5K
Register for this event at: https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Woodville/ConquertheCaveRun
DESCRIPTION
Welcome to the 2021 Conquer the Cave 5K! This race IS GOING TO HAPPEN!!! There will be many safety measures put into place and the State Park is excited to host all of us. Here is a short blog on how we have safely and successfully put on race this summer: A Real Life Race Series During a Pandemic? Here’s How (runninglane.com)
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=pKidr9j-yL4
Packet pickup will be at Fleet Feet Sports Huntsville on SATURDAY September 25th from 12-5pm. Fleet Feet is located at 2722 Carl T Jones Dr SE B2, Huntsville, AL 35802. There will also be packet pickup at the race on Sunday from 10:00AM-3:00pm. 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 150 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
2:00pm: 6th Wave
2:30pm: 7th Wave
3:00pm: 8th Wave
3:30pm: 9th Wave
4:00pm: 10th 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.
THERE WILL BE NO SHUTTLE SERVICE OR HAYRIDES BACK TO CARS THIS YEAR. In order to keep this race as safe and spread out as possible, participants will have to walk back to the parking area. It is about a half a mile walk back from the entrance of the cave.
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
