The 2nd annual Cave Creek Thriller will once again jump start the Desert Runner Trail Series.  The race is nearly a sell out, with over 190 runners currently registered.  Although the distances are the same as last year, the 30 Km and 50 Km courses have been changed up to include some of the other trails within the park. An out and back spur along the Jasper, Slate and Flume trails will take runners to the southern reaches of the park and reduce the total number of loops.  There will also be a new remote aid station (Flume) at the turn-around on the out and back. The main 10 Km loop of the course (utilized by all races) will remain the same combination of the Go John and Overton trails.

If this is your first time out to Cave Creek Regional Park, be prepared for a tough set of race courses!  The Go John trail is especially hilly and rocky, while also providing the most secluded and stunning views that the park has to offer.  Life gets a bit easier on the Overton Trail where the trail smooths out and is mostly downhill back to the finish line.  Cresting the final hill of the course a 1/2 mile out, you’ll get a glimpse of the orange tents at the finish line and will have one last screaming downhill to the end.

Go John Trail

Costume Contest

As this race again falls on Halloween weekend, we are holding another costume contest.  We’ll be giving out “Zombie” awards to the best showings!

Jeremy Schmuki as the Lone Ranger in 2010

New Ultracast

Another exciting Aravaipa Running innovation that will make it’s official debut at the Cave Creek Thriller is the new “Ultracast“.  Nick Coury, the developer of the project explains, “The Ultracast is the new standard in running webcasts. Updates and results are streamed instantly, without a second’s delay. Now, family and friends all over the world will be able to watch your progress in real-time!”  Be sure to share this link with family and friends who will be able to watch a webcam of the finish line and see your results pop up instantly.  This new feature will become standard at all Aravaipa Running events in the future.

We’ll end this year’s race preview with a summary of the top runners going into next weekend’s race.

50 Kilometer Race

Cave Creek Thriller 50 Km Elevation Profile

This year’s ultra crowd should like the fact that there will be more than a dozen runners (last year’s field size), meaning more company out on the course.  Last year’s winner Jay Danek is returning and we bet he’ll be looking to get a jump on the DRT point series. Jay is also coming off a win at the Javelina 12 Hour on October 15.  2010-11 DRT Ultra Series winner Michael Carson is a last minute entrant and with his recent wins at the Paatuwaqatsi Water Is Life 50K and Man Against Horse 50 Mile, is a clear favorite. Expect Alex Kaine and Tamas Varga to be within reach along with 1998 Hardrock winner Ricky Denesik from Telluride, CO.  On the women’s side, Lori Hickernell (who also recently won the Javelina 12 Hour with 75 Km) will be back to defend her title from last year, but will have to contend with this year’s Lean Horse 100 winner Deb Hamberlin.

30 Kilometer Race

Cave Creek Thriller 30 Km Elevation Profile

Out to test the new 2 loop course will be last year’s DRT Trail Series winner Bret Sarnquist coming down from Flagstaff.  He’ll be going up against Tony Delogne from Sedona who won the inaugural Pass Mountain 50 Km, Jordan McKnight of Safford who placed 2nd at the McDowell Mountain Frenzy 50 Km and 4th at Pass Mountain 50 Km, and David Santiago who won the Master’s DRT Trail Series last year. Michelle Patuto, last year’s 2nd place finisher at the CCT 30 Km will be returning and is looking to be the favorite so far.

10 Kilometer Race

Cave Creek Thriller 10 Km Elevation Profile

There are currently 77 entrants registered, so expect a bit of a crowded start as the course narrows directly onto a single track.  The 2010 winner of the Mesquite Canyon 5 mile, Time Merritt will be racing, so we’ll see how he does on a much tougher course. For the women, Lisa Raykowski (2nd at several DRT Series races) and Jona Davis (3rd Mesquite Canyon ’10) should have a good battle up front.

Race Week

Make sure to join us for packet pickup on Thursday at iRun from 4-7pm.  Enjoy 10% off anything in the store when you pick up your packet.  If you have any other questions about this weekend’s race, you can contact us by phone, email, or join us for the weekly Papago Park group trail run on Wednesday at 5:30pm.

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About the Author

Written by Jamil Coury

Jamil Coury founded Aravaipa Running in 2009 to share and pursue his passion of long distance running in the mountains. In addition to creating and directing trail and ultra running events with Aravaipa Running, he has run over 45 ultra marathons since 2005.