The Caving Cow Half Marathon

The Caving Cow 5K and Half Marathon

The event takes place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 1437 Cumberland Caverns Rd, McMinnville, TN 37110, US. The race program includes the following events:

• 5K
• Half Marathon
• Road 5K

Course and race features

The trail races run on Cardwell Mountain and use a mix of double and single track with rocks, roots, and elevation. Both trail events begin in an open field and run about 0.30 mile to the main trail. Each finish includes an out-and-back section through Cumberland Caverns cave that measures 0.88 mile; a headlamp is required for the cave section.

The trail 5K is one single loop with 470 feet of elevation gain before the cave out-and-back finish. The half marathon consists of five loops of the trail course, with the cave out-and-back on the fifth loop. At the cave turnaround point runners receive a glow stick to carry to the finish.

Registration for the trail events includes chip timing, two aid stations (one at the start and finish line, and one at the halfway point on the loop), a race shirt, and a swag bag. Cumberland Caverns has a history dating back to 1810. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.