OCTOBER 8, 2014
Cave Creek Thriller
Aravaipa Running – Desert Runner Trail Series
Aravaipa Running – Desert Runner Trail Series
Saturday, October 18, 2014
50K | 24K | 11K | 5K
Cave Creek Regional Park Cave Creek, AZ
5:20 AM – 50K Shuttle Pickup at Cave Creek Regional Park
6:30 AM – 50K Start at Agua Fria Trailhead (Maricopa Trail)
7:15 AM – 24K Shuttle Pickup at Cave Creek Regional Park
8:00 AM – 24K Start at Anthem Trailhead (Maricopa Trail)
8:00 AM – 5K Start at Cave Creek Regional Park
8:15 AM – 11K Start at Cave Creek Regional Park
6:00 PM – Thrasher Night 30 Km Start
6:15 PM – Thrasher Night 5 Km Start
6:30 PM – Thrasher Night 10 Km Start
The Cave Creek Thriller is the first race in the Aravaipa Running – Desert Runner Trail Series, Arizona’s premier trail & ultra run series.
Trail Series = 5km, 11km, 24km | Ultra Series = 50km
RACE INFORMATION
Location
Group picnic area (Ramadas 2 & 3)
Cave Creek Regional Park, Cave Creek, AZ
Course Summary
Now in its fifth year, the Cave Creek Thriller will be branching out to explore freshly laid single track on the Maricopa Trail. 50K runners will start at the Agua Fria Trailhead near Lake Pleasant and travel along the Maricopa Trail, a short section of the Black Canyon Trail, pass through Anthem along a desert corridor, climb past Spear S Ranch and finally enter Cave Creek Regional Park to finish along the Go John, Quartz & Overton Trails. The 50K will be point to point this year.
The 24K will also be point to point this year. Runners will start from the Anthem Trailhead, following the same route as the 50K runners from there into the finish.
11K & 5K runners will stay entirely within Cave Creek Regional Park on hilly and pristine mountain trails.
Expect hot conditions (we typically see temps into the 90’s)! Portions of the trail are steep, rocky, and entirely exposed to the sun with great views of the expansive Sonoran desert.
Weather
This is typically a hot race, with sun exposed trails and temperatures into the 90’s! Forecast for Cave Creek, AZ
Awards
Awards to the top 3 male & female finishers at each distance.
All finishers will receive a finisher award.
Points earned in the Desert Runner Trail Series.
Volunteer Helpers
If you would like to join our volunteer team, we are looking for help with event setup, aid station captains, aid station helpers, timing, photography, videography, social media, course sweep and event breakdown. Volunteer perks include a piece of Aravaipa merchandise or race goody and Aravaipa Race Credits. You can see our current opportunities and sign up here: Cave Creek Thriller Volunteer Form
REGISTRATION
Entry Fees:
| Until 8/22 | Until 9/19 | Until 10/14 | Race Week | |
| 5KM | $30 | $35 | $40 | $50 |
| 11KM | $35 | $40 | $45 | $55 |
| 24KM | $45 | $50 | $55 | $65 |
| 50KM | $60 | $65 | $70 | $80 |
Save $10 with our no-shirt option! Shirts guaranteed on race day if ordered by 9/19, otherwise shirts will be sold on race day if available.
Entrant Limit:
400 Runners
Mail-In Entry Form
Online registration closes on 10/15 at midnight. Registration will be available after online registration closes at all packet pickup locations and race day as long as we have not reached our capacity.
Cut-Off
9.5 hours for the 50km (4:00 PM).
COURSE INFORMATION
Courses
All new courses for 2014 featuring point to point 50K & 24K routes running along the Maricopa Trail.
RACE DAY INFORMATION
Race Day Schedule
Please arrive early to park, check in and warm up prior to your run. 50 Kilometer & 24 Kilometer runners will either need to find a ride to their starting line (which are not located at Cave Creek Regional Park) or take the race provided shuttle bus. See schedule below for what time to arrive for shuttle.
Restroom facilities are located at the start line at a permanent park facility as well as at the starting lines of both the 50K & 24K.
Timeline
4:45 AM – Packet pickup / race day registration begin
5:20 AM – 50K Shuttle Bus Pickup at Cave Creek Regional Park
6:10 AM – Begin Civil Twilight
6:30 AM – 50K Start at Agua Fria TH on Maricopa Trail near Lake Pleasant Regional Park
6:35 AM – Sunrise
7:15 AM – 24K Shuttle Bus Pickup at Cave Creek Regional Park
8:00 AM – 24 K Start at Anthem TH on Maricopa Trail
8:00 AM – 5K Start at Cave Creek Regional Park
8:15 AM – 11 K Start at Cave Creek Regional Park
4:00 PM – Overall cutoff / Race ends
————————————————————————-
5:00 PM – Thrasher Night Run Packet pickup begins
5:51 PM – Sunset
6:00 PM – Thrasher Night 30K Start
6:15 PM – Thrasher Night 5K Start
6:16 PM – End Civil Twilight
6:30 PM – Thrasher Night 10K Start
10:00 PM – Thrasher 30K must start 3rd & final loop
12:00 AM – Thrasher 30K cut-off / Race ends
Park Entry Fee
Remember the park charges a $6 park entry fee per vehicle. Please arrive early and have correct change (cash) available on race morning for a smooth entry process. Carpool to save! If you are participating in the double (day & night runs) your pass is good all day.
Trail Running & Trash
Please respect the trails and the beauty of the desert by disposing of any trash at one of our aid stations.
Race Timing
We will be utilizing a chip timing system at this event to record your time at the finish. You will be provided with a timing chip attached to the back side of your race bib. It is important to not crease, or fold the the timing chip to ensure your finish time is read.
Drop Bags
A drop bag will be allowed at the Anthem Aid station for 50K runners. Please have your drop bag with you on race morning to be collected either at packet pickup or at the actual race start at the Agua Fria TH. They will be transported to the finish line after the Anthem Aid Station closes down around 10:00 AM.
Aid Station Helpers
We cannot produce these trail runs without the help of our amazing volunteer team. You can even help and run on race day. If you would like to join our volunteer team, we are looking for help with event setup, aid station captains, aid station helpers, timing, photography, videography, social media and event breakdown. Volunteer perks include a piece of Aravaipa merchandise or race goody and Aravaipa Race Credits. You can see our current opportunities and sign up here: Cave Creek Thriller Volunteer Form
Course Markings
The race courses will be well marked with orange plastic ribbons with black polka dots. Trail junctions and turns will be well marked with colored laminated signs that correspond with your race’s color (5K = Blue, 10K = Green, 24K = Yellow, 50K = Red). Please pay attention to these signs at each junction as there are multiple race distances and race courses! In addition, blue & white checkerboard plastic flagging will be hung to designate non-race or “WRONG WAY” trails. All runners are responsible for understanding the layout of the courses. Please familiarize yourself with the course maps on our website prior to race day and/or print a map to bring along with you.
Parking / Start Area
The finish line is located at the Group Picnic Area within Cave Creek Regional Park. Overflow parking will be available at the horse staging area parking lot or around the Tonalite Drive Loop approximately 1/4 mile from the start/finish area.
Camping
Cave Creek Regional Park offers a campground with 38 individual sites and a group camping area. Each site has a large parking area to accommodate up to a 45′ RV and is a “Developed Site,” with water and electrical hook-ups, dump station, a picnic table, a barbecue grill, and fire ring. Cave Creek Regional Park provides clean restrooms with flush toilets and hot water showers. All sites in the campground may be reserved online at http://www.maricopacountyparks.org/.
Directions to Cave Creek Regional Park
From central Phoenix, take I-17 north to Carefree Hwy (SR 74). Exit Carefree Hwy. and travel east to 32nd St. (7 miles). Turn north on 32nd St. to the Cave Creek Regional Park entrance.
