Two out-of-state runners claimed top honors March 20 in the 2022 Race to the Cave half marathon at Cathedral Caverns State Park in north Alabama.
In just its second year, the Running Lane Events half marathon and 10K have become jewels in the area road scene. Runners from 25 states participated. Runners finish the final 1.5 miles inside the cavern on its hilly, lighted path. Cathedral Caverns has an opening 126 feet wide and 25 feet high, along with many unique flowstone, stalactite and stalagmite features. Running Lane hosts the road half and 10K in spring, a 5K road in September, and a 15K/5K trail run in November.
More than 300 people finished the race. Runners represented Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Virginia, New Jersey, Indiana, California, Maryland, New York, Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Washington.
Colby Smith, 27, of Macon, Ga., won the event in a sizzling 1:26:23, cruising along at a 6:36 pace. Aaron King of Huntsville, Ala., was second in 1:27:35, while Adrian Gonzales of Albertville, Ala., was third in 1:30:51.
Patricia Schaefer of Springfield, Ill., finished 9th overall and was the first female to cross the line, in 1:38:57. Aleshia Chaffin of Gurley, Ala., was second female (11th overall) in 1:39:47. Laurie Householder of Pooler, Ga., was third female (13th) in 1:40:09.
See all finishers in the half marathon here.
Race to the Cave 10K
Haley Chelsvig of Sewanee, Tenn., won the 10K title in a time of 47:15:48, topping a field representing 19 states including Hawaii.
Joe Woodworth of Kirkville, N.Y., was second in 47:39. John Long of Madison, Ala., was third in 48:28.
Amelia Rudolph of Madison, Ala., was second female and seventh overall in 53:57. Lindsey Rigdon of Helena, Ala., was third female (14th) in 57:16.
The field of 182 finishers included runners from Colorado, Tennessee, New York, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi, Indiana, Hawaii, Kentucky, Florida, California, Michigan, North Carolina, South Dakota and Louisiana.
See all finishers in the 10K race here.
Conditions were near perfect for the races, with temperatures in the 40s and warming during the day. The temperature inside Cathedral Caverns is a constant 60 degrees year-round. Runners finish the road portion going uphill to the park visitors center and cave opening. After entering the cave, the path winds past stunning features. Upon reaching the path terminus, runners return to the front of the cave and the finish line.
Check out this cool video from Running Lane about the 2021 Race to the Cave:
