Cave Run Lake Trail Races

Nestled in the rolling hills of northeastern Kentucky and with more than 8,000 acres of open water, Cave Run Lake is known for its scenery and endless recreation opportunities!

With three race distances for ultra and trail runners of all abilities. Cave Run Lake Trail Races offers lake views, changing colors, and perfect Fall temperatures. The racecourse follows beautiful trails and forest roads through Appalachian foothills and shoreline near Cave Run Lake, including the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail.

The event starts and finishes in Twin Knobs Recreation Area, which includes nearly 200 campsites. The spectator-friendly Start/Finish Line provides quick and easy parking, permanent bathrooms, and even shelter! The nearby City of Morehead offers all necessary amenities such as lodging, restaurants, and retail. The racecourse will use combination trails and forest roads near Cave Run Lake, including the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail, Limestone Bike Trail, Limestone Connector Trail, Lakeview Ridge Trail, Twin Knobs Shoreline Trail, Clack Mountain Road, and more!

All three races will start in Twin Knobs Recreation Area at the West Group Use Area. The racecourse surface includes a little bit of everything – flowy dirt singletrack with a few technical sections, cruiser doubletrack, and fast gravel forest roads! The racecourse will also include pavement when departing and returning to the Start/Finish Line at Twin Knobs Recreation Area. Athletes running the 32M and 22M races will cross a swinging bridge to reach the Triplett Creek Aid-Station. Depending on recent rainfall, a few minor stream crossings are possible. The racecourse terrain includes rolling sections, fast ridges, and a few steep, but short, climbs.

The 32M race offers approximately +2,500’ feet of elevation gain and equal loss. The 22M race offers approximately +2,000’ feet of elevation gain and equal loss. The 12M race offers approximately +1,100’ feet of elevation gain and equal loss.