Many runners set a long-term goal to run a race in all 50 states, so with 28 states already under their belts, Brian and Heather VandenBroek were already well on their way. However, either by sheer coincidence or a twist of fate, the couple from Park City, Utah, ended up racing in their 29th state at the Mammoth Cave 50k in Park City, Kentucky.
Mammoth Cave 50k and 25k run along the Mammoth Cave Railroad Hike and Bike Trail, an old rail line that runs from the ruins of the historic Bell’s Tavern in Park City to a turn-around point near the Mammoth Cave National Park visitor center. One of the few races held within a national park, the entire weekend showcases all that the area has to offer.
“We didn’t sign up for the race because it was held in a city with the same name as our hometown,” said Heather. “It just happened to be a cool coincidence. We signed up for the race because it was one of the few that you could actually do in a national park, and because we were trying to do a marathon or an ultra in all 50 states, it sounded like the most interesting one for Kentucky. But it was a ton of fun that the race director, who couldn’t have been more welcoming and nice, made such a big deal about it, so we brought him a little care package of things from Park City, Utah, as sort of a little ‘sister city’ exchange and gave it to him at packet pickup.”
Photo Jenny Thorsen
Kevin Mays, the race director, is an avid runner himself and dreamed of holding his own race on the trails where he regularly trains. However, securing a permit to hold a race in a national park is a difficult to impossible feat to pull off. Kevin’s persistence paid off after several years, and after garnering support from park rangers and local runners and Park City Tourism, the inaugural event was held in 2021.
With a cap of 150 runners total between both distances, the race still manages to draw participants from across the country, with many runners traveling from over 200 miles away and spending multiple nights in the area. “It made for a great destination race,” said Brian. “There were so many interesting things to do. We flew into Louisville, stopped on the way down at Jim Beam Distillery to have lunch, then went on the Historic Cave tour at Mammoth Cave. We went to Buc-ee’s and a barbecue place that night, ran the race in the morning, stopped at a distillery in Bardstown on the way back, and then went to Churchill Downs in Louisville the next day before flying back home.”
“Many runners took the opportunity to explore the treasures of the Mammoth Cave National Park, with activities including cave tours, visits to the visitor center and enjoying the other scenic hiking trails. Participants spent an estimated $10,200 on lodging, dining, retail and other activities, significantly boosting the local economy,” echoed Kevin. “The enthusiasm for these local attractions underscores the park’s appeal and highlights the potential for similar future events to draw even more visitors.”
Photo Jenny Thorsen
Despite the myriad of activities making Mammoth Cave a fun destination race, the race itself was the highlight of the weekend for Brian and Heather. “We like running on trails more than running on hard surfaces, so it was really nice to run on the rail trail. The rolling hills and wooded nature of the course made it fun and kept it interesting,” Brian said. “Our favorite part of the race was closer to the turn-around where you’re up high and you go on the boardwalk along the road where there is an overlook with a view that falls away from you on the hillside as you look down on the bridge and the leaves.”
Heather added, “I would say too, the cool part in connecting to Park City, Kentucky, was really the people and their love for the outdoors like where we live in Park City, Utah, where the culture is all about the outdoors: hiking, mountain biking and trail running. So, there was actually very similar-minded people between the two communities. I have never run a race where it’s an out-and-back where you get to see everybody multiple times. Everyone was cheering each other on and giving each other high-fives, even the male and female leaders, as they passed each other. The race has such a happy, good vibe to it which doesn’t always happen at races.”
“Part of why we’re doing races in all 50 states is because you learn. It’s fun to learn about different places, places you otherwise might not ever visit, and experience the microcultures of each place. We feel lucky to be able to combine our two passions of running and travel. And Mammoth Cave is a hidden gem of a race for sure.”