The Caving Cow Half Marathon

The Caving Cow 5K and Half Marathon

The event on April 18, 2026 takes place at Cumberland Caverns and Cardwell Mountain near 1437 Cumberland Caverns Rd, Mcminnville TN 37110. It includes trail and road options and finishes with an out and back section through Cumberland Caverns Cave.

Runners move from an open field onto single and double track trails after about 0.30 mile of approach. Trail surfaces include rocks and roots and there is notable elevation change on the course. A headlamp is required for the cave section.

Distances offered

• Caving Cow 5K
• Caving Cow Half Marathon
• Road 5k

The Caving Cow 5K follows a single loop with 470 feet of elevation gain, then a 0.88 mile out and back through the cave to the finish. The half marathon consists of five loops of the trail, 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 each runner 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. The course passes through publicly noted cavern areas with historical significance dating to 1810. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.