Run The Caves 2026

Run The Caves returns to Warsaw, Ontario on October 4, 2026 for its 3rd annual edition presented by Body and Mind Adventures (BAM). Set inside Warsaw Caves Conservation Area in the Indian River valley, the event pairs classic fall colours with a mission-driven focus — BAM organizes the race to be accessible and to raise awareness for the Canadian Mental Health Association, with a portion of registration fees donated to CMHA.

The one-day festival of trail running offers distances for a wide range of athletes: a 1 km Kids Run, 5 km and 10 km walk/runs, 25 km and 50 km trail distances, plus a 15 km Virtual Run (participants may complete the virtual distance between October 1–7). New for this year are Team/Duo options for the 25 km and 50 km races. The race morning kicks off at 7:00 a.m. EDT.

What sets Run The Caves apart is its setting and community-first approach. Courses thread 20+ kilometres of mostly single-track through old-growth forest, limestone plains and scenic lookouts where runners can see potholes, kettles and the disappearing Indian River beneath the rocks. Organizers run a green, cup-free event, provide hand-made race medals to finishers, award top prizes by gender in each distance, sell commemorative merchandise, and hand out vegetarian chili and buns at the finish to warm participants.

Registration features tiered pricing with early-bird phases; race-day registration is offered on-site (cash only). Runners who want fall single-track, conservation-area scenery and a charity-minded community vibe will find Run The Caves a compelling October destination.

• Start/finish at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area (289 Caves Road) in the Indian River valley, about 25 minutes from Peterborough
• Mostly single-track trails with soft forest floor, rocks and tree roots; a few short stretches of gravel road
• Trail features include limestone plains, scenic lookouts, potholes, kettles and sections where the Indian River disappears beneath the rock
• Courses range from short 1 km kids route up to a 50 km ultra; a 15 km virtual option is held Oct 1–7
• Event emphasizes low-impact practices (cup-free) and runs on established conservation-area trails

• Charity partnership: A portion of every registration fee is donated to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
• Cup-free green event: Organizers run the race with environmental initiatives and a cup-free finish area
• Hand-made finisher medals: Every participant receives a hand-made race medal
• Post-race comfort food: Vegetarian chili and buns served at the finish to warm runners
• Team relay options: New Team/Duo entries available for both the 25 km and 50 km distances