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The Caving Cow 5K and Half Marathon logo

The Caving Cow 5K and Half Marathon

Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 7:00 AM CDT

Location
Mcminnville, TN
1437 Cumberland Caverns Rd, 37110
Type
RUN
Official registration

Sign up and verify details on the organizer’s official page.

At a glance

Run trails on Cardwell Mountain and through the depths of Cumberland Caverns, finishing with a glow stick in hand.

  • Fun
  • Scenic
  • Quirky

Great for: casual, fun-first runners

Less ideal for: pure PR-chasing on a bare course

Embark on a unique trail adventure at The Caving Cow 5K and Half Marathon, traversing the scenic double and single track trails of Cardwell Mountain. This event offers a distinctive experience, culminating in an unforgettable out-and-back journey through the historic Cumberland Caverns. Runners will navigate rocks, roots, and elevation changes before exploring the depths of the cave with a required headlamp, receiving a glow stick at the turnaround. Choose between a 5K or a Half Marathon for this epic underground finish.

What to expect

  • Navigate double and single track trails with rocks, roots, and elevation gain.
  • Venture into Cumberland Caverns, requiring a headlamp for the cave section.
  • Receive a glow stick at the cave's turnaround point to light your way to the finish.

Standout details

  • Run through Cumberland Caverns Cave
  • Headlamp required for cave section
  • Glow stick at cave turnaround
  • Trails of Cardwell Mountain

Perks & features

  • Shirt
  • Swag Included

From the public listing — confirm on the official site.

Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.

Distances & registration

3 options

Registration for all distances is through the official signup link above.

  • 3.11 Miles

    Sat, Apr 18, 7:15 AM CDT · From $38.10

    Opens Dec 7, 2025, 6:34 AM CST · Closes Apr 12, 2026, 7:59 PM CDT

  • 3.15 Miles

    Sat, Apr 18, 7:00 AM CDT · From $32.80

    Opens Dec 7, 2025, 10:46 AM CST · Closes Apr 12, 2026, 7:00 AM CDT

  • 13.1 Miles

    Sat, Apr 18, 7:00 AM CDT · From $69.90

    Opens Dec 7, 2025, 6:34 AM CST · Closes Apr 15, 2026, 7:59 PM CDT

Vibe Check

Push Potential

Trail + hills, longer distance

  • Mostly trail

Based on terrain, weather, and distance data.

The course

  • Trail
  • Hilly
  • Timed race
From the organizer

This race will take you on the trails of Cardwell Mountain located in McMinnville, Tn. You will traverse a trail of double and single track route with some rocks, roots and elevation. You will finish with a .88 out and back through the beautiful Cumberland Caverns Cave. You are going to want to be a part of this epic experience. We will offer 2 distances, 5K and Half Marathon.  Both races will begin in an open field and run to the trail (about .30 mile to the trail). You will need a headlamp as you will be going into the depths of the cave.

The 5k will be a single loop with 470 feet of gain. You will then run an out and back through the cave to the finish line. You will get a glow stick at the turn around point in the cave and carry this with you to the finish line.

The half marathon will consist of  5 loops of the single and double wide trail. On the fifth loop you will then run an out and back through the cave to the finish line. You will get a glow stick at the turn around point in the cave and carry this with you to the finish line.

Registration will include for each runner:

Chip Timing

2 aid stations -

1 at start and finish line - HM will pass this every loop

1 at half way point on loop

Caving Cow race shirt

Swag bag of goodies

There is a rich history dating back to 1810 of Cumberland Caverns and can be found at Cumberland Caverns

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