Kentucky Cryptid Series - Goatman

  • Date Sun 19th April 2026
  • Time 8:00AM EDT
  • Location Louisville, Kentucky
  • Price $22.20
  • Races 1 race
  • Distances 5 Mile

Event summary

Get ready for an exhilarating adventure at the Kentucky Cryptid Series - Goatman, taking place on Sunday, April 19, 2026! Set against the stunning backdrop of Cherokee Park in Louisville, Jefferson, this trail run is perfect for families and beginners alike. Kicking off at 8 AM from Hogan's Fountain, participants will enjoy a scenic five-mile journey through the park's picturesque trails.

As the first event in a thrilling series, the Goatman race not only showcases the beauty of Louisville's parks but also celebrates local folklore, featuring the legendary Goatman—a half-man, half-goat cryptid steeped in mystery! Awards will be presented for overall male and female finishers, as well as special recognitions for the youngest and oldest participants to complete the series. Remember to stay hydrated with your own water bottle or hydration pack, as this event is cupless. Don’t miss out on this fantastic day of fitness, fun, and folklore!

Organiser's Description

START TIME IS 8 AM SUNDAY APRIL 19TH AT HOGAN'S FOUNTAIN IN CHEROKEE PARK.

THE GOATMAN RACE IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF TRAIL RUNS THROUGH LOUISVILLE'S BEAUTIFUL PARKS. THIS IS A FAMILY AND BEGINNER FRIENDLY FIVE MILE RUN THROUGH THE TRAILS OF CHEROKEE PARK. WE'LL START AT HOGAN'S FOUNTAIN AND MAKE OUR WAY AROUND THE PARK.

WHEN YOU THINK OF KENTUCKY CRYPTIDS, PARTICULARLY IN THE LOUISVILLE AREA, WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST WELL KNOWN....GOATMAN! THE GOATMAN IS A CRYPTID WHO IS SAID TO BE HALF-MAN, HALF-GOAT. ALTHOUGH HIS ORIGINS ARE UNKNOWN, THE MOST POPULAR ORIGIN STORY IS THAT HE HAD ONCE BEEN A SCIENTIST WHO WORKED AT BELTSVILLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH CENTER IN MARYLAND, WHO EXPERIMENTED ON GOATS. UNFORTUNATELY, DURING ONE OF THESE EXPERIMENTS, HE WAS MUTATED INTO A GOAT/HUMAN HYBRID, AND WENT INSANE. THE KENTUCKY GOATMAN HAS A SIMILAR ORIGIN STORY WHO IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN A GOAT FARMER WHO SOLD HIS SOUL TO SATAN IN EXCHANGE FOR IMMORTALITY OR DARK MAGIC. AS MANY STORIES HAVE BEEN TOLD, THE KENTUCKY GOATMAN LURES HIS VICTIMS TO THE TRESTLE BRIDGE NEAR POPE LICK OFTEN JUST BEFORE A TRAIN CROSSES THE BRIDGE LEAVING HIS VICTIMS 90 FEET UP ON A 700 FOOT LONG BRIDGE.*

*PLEASE NEVER TRESPASS ON THE BRIDGE IN SEARCH OF GOATMAN. MULTIPLE UNTIMELY DEATHS AS WELL AS HEAVY FINES AND PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO VENTURE TOO FAR.

AWARDS

EACH RACE WILL HAVE AWARDS FOR OVERALL MALE / FEMALE.



SERIES AWARDS

THESE AWARDS ARE NOT STRICTLY FOR THE FASTEST. WE WILL BE RECOGNIZING THE OLDEST TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE SERIES. YOUNGEST TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE SERIES, FASTEST TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE SERIES AND LIKELY A FEW FUN OTHER AWARDS ALONG THE WAY. SO YOU WILL WANT TO TRY TO GET IN ON THESE FUN AWARDS.

STAY HYDRATED & STAY SAFE

THIS EVENT IS CUPLESS. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE, HYDRATION PACK, OR CUP.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

THE START/FINISH LINE WILL BE NEAR HOGAN'S FOUNTAIN. HEADING TO THE RIGHT ONTO THE TRAIL FOLLOWING THE MAIN 5 MILE TRAIL LOOP.

LINK [https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/234854814] TO COURSE MAP

LINK [https://youtu.be/IC_YHf60tvM?si=XMrXzfCRsamtQhRa] TO COURSE PREVIEW VIDEO

PACKET PICK-UP

PACKET PICK-UP WILL BE ON-SITE NEAR HOGAN'S FOUNTAIN PRIOR TO RACE START. PLEASE PLAN TO PICK-UP YOUR RACE PACKET WITH ENOUGH TIME TO ALLOW FOR PINNING YOUR BIB BEFORE RACE START.



T-SHIRTS

SHIRTS FOR THIS SERIES ARE AN OPTIONAL ADD-ON. THIS KEEPS THE COST OF THE RACE REASONABLE FOR FAMILIES. WE WILL HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SHIRTS AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON RACE DAY. IF YOU KNOW YOU WANT A SHIRT, PLEASE PRE-ORDER DURING REGISTRATION. OR USE THE LINK AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE. BE SURE TO PLACE YOUR ORDER BY THE FIRST WEEK OF APRIL!

PARKING--ARRIVE EARLY & CARPOOL

WE ASK THAT YOU PLAN TO ARRIVE EARLY FOR PARKING. CARPOOL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. PARKING IS LIMITED AT HOGANS FOUNTAIN. WE WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL OF THE PARKS SO WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE MANY MORE GREAT EVENTS IN THE FUTURE. CARPOOLING IS PREFERRED TO MAKE SPACE FOR EVERYONE PLANNING TO PARTICIPATE. IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO RUN WITH A FRIEND, WE ENCOURAGE CARPOOLING.



WATER/SNACKS

THIS EVENT IS CUPLESS. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE, HYDRATION PACK, OR CUP. BOTTLED WATER WILL BE AVAILABLE IN LIMITED SUPPLY. WATER AND PRE PACKAGED SNACKS WILL BE AVAILABLE POST RACE.



VIRTUAL OPTION

IF YOU PLAN TO RUN ANY OF THE RACES VIRTUALLY, SIGN UP AS IN PERSON AND SHOOT US A QUICK EMAIL.

Races

  • Goatman 5 Miler

    Incl. $2.20 Fee

    Sun 19th April 2026 (8:00AM EDT)

    $22.20

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Location

745 Cochran Hill Rd, Louisville, 40206, KY, United States

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