Mammoth Cave 50K/25K
- Date Sat 25th October 2025
- Time 7:00AM CDT
- Location Park City, Kentucky
- Price $80.50 - $101.70
- Races 2 races
- Distances Ultra
Event summary
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at the Mammoth Cave 50K/25K trail race, taking place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, in the stunning Mammoth Cave National Park, Park City, KY! Join us for the fifth annual running of this thrilling event, designed for both novice trail runners and seasoned racers looking to achieve their personal best. The race kicks off at 7:00 AM (Central) from the Bell's Tavern Pavilion, offering a scenic out-and-back course along the historic Bike & Hike Trail. Participants will tackle challenging ascents and descents on a beautiful crushed gravel surface, making it the perfect backdrop for an exhilarating race.
With a strict 8-hour cutoff to ensure everyone's safety, this event promises camaraderie and achievement, regardless of your finish time. Registration opens on March 30, 2025, at last year's pricing, but spots are limited to just 150 runners, so don't delay! Runners will enjoy a cupless experience, so be sure to bring your own hydration solutions. Mark your calendar for this incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and challenge yourself in one of Kentucky’s most breathtaking settings. Secure your spot today and prepare for an epic day of racing!
With a strict 8-hour cutoff to ensure everyone's safety, this event promises camaraderie and achievement, regardless of your finish time. Registration opens on March 30, 2025, at last year's pricing, but spots are limited to just 150 runners, so don't delay! Runners will enjoy a cupless experience, so be sure to bring your own hydration solutions. Mark your calendar for this incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and challenge yourself in one of Kentucky’s most breathtaking settings. Secure your spot today and prepare for an epic day of racing!
Organiser's Description
NEW FOR 2025!
* The waiver includes a statement that reiterates the strict 8-hour cutoff. RUNNERS MISSING A CUTOFF WILL BE PULLED FROM THE COURSE FOR THEIR SAFETY.
* Deferrals will no longer be permitted. Those registrants who have been deferred from prior years will be "grandfathered", but no new deferrals will be granted.
* All entries are final. No refunds, deferrals, or bib transfers allowed for any reason.
* No race day registrations - please stop asking!
* No pets will be allowed to accompany runners.
Join us for the 5th running of MAMMOTH CAVE 50K/25K trail race on Saturday, October 25, 2025, in beautiful Mammoth Cave National Park!
Named after the historic railroad that once roared through Mammoth Cave National Park from 1886 through 1931, the Bike & Hike Trail provides a scenic, wooded experience within the Park on a crushed gravel surface. The out-and-back trail offers some challenging ascents/descents along its scenic route, and is perfect for the first-time trail runner or racers looking to set a lightening fast PR!
The race will start at 7:00 AM (Central), for both distances, from the Bell's Tavern Pavilion in Park City, KY, and will END BY 3 PM. A HARD CUTOFF OF 8 HOURS WILL BE IMPOSED FOR BOTH DISTANCES.
POST-CUTOFF FINISHERS:
We understand that everyone brings their own pace to the race, and we deeply appreciate the effort and determination it takes to cross the finish line, no matter the time. However, please note that after the 3 pm cutoff, race-day activities will wind down, and many participants, volunteers, and spectators may have already departed.
If you find yourself finishing after the cutoff, we want to assure you that your achievement is no less valued. Your perseverance is something to be proud of, even if the crowds may not be there to cheer you in. We hope you'll take pride in your personal journey and accomplishment on race day, regardless of the time.
Pricing:
*
Those who register on opening day (MARCH30TH) will receive last years pricing ($85 for the 50K, $65 for the 25K).
*
The very next day (MARCH 31ST), pricing will INCREASE to $95 for the 50K and $75 for the 25K.
*
Fees will then increase to $105 (50K) and $85 (25K) on AUGUST 23RD for any remaining spots.
All runners will receive a t-shirt if they register by 8/16/25. We will order extra shirts but we cannot guarantee that we will have your size.
Due to National Park restrictions, registration will be capped. At present, we are opening registration to 150 runners, with the hopes of increasing pending permit approval. Based on demand, we may open additional spots in the 50K distance by eliminating open spots in the 25K, or vice versa and adjust as needed.
_THIS EVENT SELLS OUT QUICKLY!_
_UNDERSTAND THIS IS A TRAIL RACE. WE ARE LIMITED BASED ON WHERE THE TRAIL GOES. SO UNLIKE A ROAD RACE, THE DISTANCE IS NEVER EXACT. THIS IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE TO MOST EVERYONE WHO HAS RUN TRAIL RACES IN THE PAST BUT IT NEVER FAILS AND THERE IS ALWAYS ONE WHO IS UPSET THAT THEIR GPS WATCH SHOWED 16.5 MILES WHEN THE RACE SAID IT WAS A 25K. EVERYONE IS RACING THE SAME COURSE, THEREFORE IT'S AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD. _
This will be a "cupless" race. Runners will need to provide their own collapsible cups, bottles or hydration packs for refill at the aid stations.
COVID precautions & safeguards may be enforced based on CDC guidelines at time of the event.
For lodging options within the Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/lodging.htm. Camping reservations are available at https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/camping.htm.
Please note that NO REFUNDS, deferrals or transfers will be provided for cancellations.
COURSE MAP CAN BE LOCATED AT HTTPS://WWW.ALLTRAILS.COM/EXPLORE/MAP/MAP-AUGUST-22-2022-5A7B238?U=I&SH=D9NDG3 [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-august-22-2022-5a7b238?u=i&sh=d9ndg3]
DETAILS ARE DEVELOPING SO STAY TUNED HERE OR OUR FACEBOOK PAGE . . . !
* The waiver includes a statement that reiterates the strict 8-hour cutoff. RUNNERS MISSING A CUTOFF WILL BE PULLED FROM THE COURSE FOR THEIR SAFETY.
* Deferrals will no longer be permitted. Those registrants who have been deferred from prior years will be "grandfathered", but no new deferrals will be granted.
* All entries are final. No refunds, deferrals, or bib transfers allowed for any reason.
* No race day registrations - please stop asking!
* No pets will be allowed to accompany runners.
Join us for the 5th running of MAMMOTH CAVE 50K/25K trail race on Saturday, October 25, 2025, in beautiful Mammoth Cave National Park!
Named after the historic railroad that once roared through Mammoth Cave National Park from 1886 through 1931, the Bike & Hike Trail provides a scenic, wooded experience within the Park on a crushed gravel surface. The out-and-back trail offers some challenging ascents/descents along its scenic route, and is perfect for the first-time trail runner or racers looking to set a lightening fast PR!
The race will start at 7:00 AM (Central), for both distances, from the Bell's Tavern Pavilion in Park City, KY, and will END BY 3 PM. A HARD CUTOFF OF 8 HOURS WILL BE IMPOSED FOR BOTH DISTANCES.
POST-CUTOFF FINISHERS:
We understand that everyone brings their own pace to the race, and we deeply appreciate the effort and determination it takes to cross the finish line, no matter the time. However, please note that after the 3 pm cutoff, race-day activities will wind down, and many participants, volunteers, and spectators may have already departed.
If you find yourself finishing after the cutoff, we want to assure you that your achievement is no less valued. Your perseverance is something to be proud of, even if the crowds may not be there to cheer you in. We hope you'll take pride in your personal journey and accomplishment on race day, regardless of the time.
Pricing:
*
Those who register on opening day (MARCH30TH) will receive last years pricing ($85 for the 50K, $65 for the 25K).
*
The very next day (MARCH 31ST), pricing will INCREASE to $95 for the 50K and $75 for the 25K.
*
Fees will then increase to $105 (50K) and $85 (25K) on AUGUST 23RD for any remaining spots.
All runners will receive a t-shirt if they register by 8/16/25. We will order extra shirts but we cannot guarantee that we will have your size.
Due to National Park restrictions, registration will be capped. At present, we are opening registration to 150 runners, with the hopes of increasing pending permit approval. Based on demand, we may open additional spots in the 50K distance by eliminating open spots in the 25K, or vice versa and adjust as needed.
_THIS EVENT SELLS OUT QUICKLY!_
_UNDERSTAND THIS IS A TRAIL RACE. WE ARE LIMITED BASED ON WHERE THE TRAIL GOES. SO UNLIKE A ROAD RACE, THE DISTANCE IS NEVER EXACT. THIS IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE TO MOST EVERYONE WHO HAS RUN TRAIL RACES IN THE PAST BUT IT NEVER FAILS AND THERE IS ALWAYS ONE WHO IS UPSET THAT THEIR GPS WATCH SHOWED 16.5 MILES WHEN THE RACE SAID IT WAS A 25K. EVERYONE IS RACING THE SAME COURSE, THEREFORE IT'S AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD. _
This will be a "cupless" race. Runners will need to provide their own collapsible cups, bottles or hydration packs for refill at the aid stations.
COVID precautions & safeguards may be enforced based on CDC guidelines at time of the event.
For lodging options within the Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/lodging.htm. Camping reservations are available at https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/camping.htm.
Please note that NO REFUNDS, deferrals or transfers will be provided for cancellations.
COURSE MAP CAN BE LOCATED AT HTTPS://WWW.ALLTRAILS.COM/EXPLORE/MAP/MAP-AUGUST-22-2022-5A7B238?U=I&SH=D9NDG3 [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-august-22-2022-5a7b238?u=i&sh=d9ndg3]
DETAILS ARE DEVELOPING SO STAY TUNED HERE OR OUR FACEBOOK PAGE . . . !
Reviews
Done this event?
First-hand event reviews from people who have been there, done that and got the breathable T-shirt, really help everyone choose their next event.
Add a review
Mammoth Cave 50K/25K
