Thunder Mountain Challenge

Come conquer Thunder Mountain in its debut year!

Choose your challenge: the The Bridal 5Kave, the 3-hour challenge, or the 6-hour challenge.

Each climb up Thunder Mountain gains approximately 300 feet of elevation in about 1/2 mile.

The Bridal 5Kave will complete three out-and-backs. In the 3-hour and 6-hour challenges, the winner is the runner who reaches the top of Thunder Mountain the most times within the race window.

There will be one aid station located at the top of Thunder Mountain. Runners will pass the aid station after every out-and-back. A check-in captain will track each runner’s climbs in real time throughout the event.

All finishers in The Bridal 5Kave, 3-hour challenge, and 6-hour challenge will receive a finisher award. Awards will also be given to the top overall male and female finishers in each race.

Come be part of the first year of Thunder Mountain!

Course Map

We are currently fine-tuning the final course map with Bridal Cave & Thunder Mountain Park.

The course will be a true out-and-back. Runners will descend Thunder Mountain on Bridal Cave Road for approximately 1/2 mile before turning left onto a gravel lake road for a short section. They will then turn around, climb back up Thunder Mountain to the finish area, and repeat the process.

Most of the running will be on asphalt — Bridal Cave Road — with a short gravel section included on the lower portion of the course.

As soon as the final course details are confirmed with Bridal Cave & Thunder Mountain Park, we will share that information with runners.

The race format will remain simple and consistent: each repeat will include approximately 1/2 mile down and approximately 1/2 mile back up, with about 300 feet of elevation gain on every climb.

Race Rules | Drop Bags

The Bridal 5Kave:

The Bridal 5Kave is a traditional race for time. Runners will complete approximately three descents down Thunder Mountain and three climbs back up Thunder Mountain. After reaching the top of Thunder Mountain on the third climb, runners will be at approximately 5K distance.

All Bridal 5Kave finishers will receive a finisher medal. Awards will be given to the top overall male and female finishers.

3-Hour Challenge and 6-Hour Challenge:

The 3-Hour Challenge and 6-Hour Challenge are based on total completed climbs.

Each runner will check in at the top of Thunder Mountain after every climb. A check-in captain will track each runner’s total number of completed climbs throughout the event.

In both the 3-Hour Challenge and 6-Hour Challenge, winners are determined by the highest number of completed climbs within the race window.

If a runner is still climbing when time expires, that climb will not count toward their official climb total. The runner’s total will revert to their last completed climb before time expired. However, runners must continue climbing to the finish line after time expires. Final placement among runners with the same number of completed climbs will be determined by who is furthest along in their final out-and-back when time expires, as confirmed by the order in which those runners return to the finish line.

Finisher awards will be given to every runner who remains in the race for the full duration of their challenge. Overall awards will be given to the top male and female finishers based on total completed climbs.

The 3-hour and 6-hour challenge are allowed to have drop bags. The drop bag location will be at the start/finish line at the Thunder Mountain Park Event Center. Runners can access their drop bag after checking in at the top of Thunder Mountain.

For safety reasons, pets are not allowed on the course. Music, headphones, and earbuds are also not allowed. Runners must be able to hear traffic, volunteers, race officials, and other runners at all times.

Thunder Mountain Park Event Center | Aid Station

There will be one aid station for all three races: The Bridal 5Kave, the 3-Hour Challenge, and the 6-Hour Challenge.

The aid station will be located at the top of Thunder Mountain inside the Thunder Mountain Park Event Center.

It will be a fully stocked aid station with water, electrolytes, and other standard aid station items runners expect during a race. Restrooms will also be available.

For all three races, this will also serve as the official check-in location. Each runner’s completed climbs will be tracked in real time. A live scoreboard will be displayed on a flat screen inside the Thunder Mountain Park Event Center, allowing runners to rehydrate, check their standings, and see how the race is unfolding.

Safety and Strategy

Thunder Mountain is steep. The climb is difficult, and the descent can be hazardous if runners are not careful.

For all three races, runners should approach this as an endurance event. This is especially important for Bridal 5K competitors: this is not a typical 5K. The course includes three significant climbs before the 5K is over, and runners should think in terms of patience, strategy, and consistency from the very beginning.

The half-mile descent is steep, and runners must stay under control. Do not bomb down the hill. Be careful not to crowd other runners, clip heels, or put yourself or a group around you at risk of falling. The downhill section requires focus, awareness, and smart pacing.

The climb back up Thunder Mountain is also extremely challenging. For most runners, if not from the start then shortly after, running the entire climb will not be realistic. At best, many runners may only run portions of the climb. Be strategic. Think about the long game, even in the 5K.

Success on this course will come from endurance, form, strategy, consistency, and smart decision-making. Keep moving, but be smart about it.

Bridal Cave Road and the lower gravel section will not be closed to traffic. The course remains open to vehicles, so runners must stay aware of their surroundings at all times. Follow normal road-running best practices: run against traffic when descending and run against traffic when climbing.

Reminder: for safety reasons, pets are not allowed on the course. Music, headphones, and earbuds are also not allowed. Runners must be able to hear traffic, volunteers, race officials, and other runners at all times.

Parking

There are several open-air parking lots located near the Thunder Mountain Park Event Center and the official start/finish line for the Thunder Mountain Challenge.

Please look for the yellow curb stops and follow the parking signage directing you to the various open-air lots located a short distance from the start/finish area.

Runners are encouraged to carpool whenever possible.

Event's current local time: 8:37 AM CT