Course Description:

Cliff Cave, River Bluff Trail

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The course at Cliff Cave Park, featuring the River Bluff Trail, offers a scenic and moderately challenging route that winds through wooded hillsides, limestone bluffs, and overlooks of the Mississippi River. Runners will complete a clearly marked 3.1-mile (5K) loop, returning each lap to the same central start/finish area and fully stocked aid station.

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The trail surface is primarily packed dirt with sections of crushed limestone and natural singletrack, including roots, short climbs, and a few technical areas that add variety. The elevation is more pronounced than flatter park courses, with rolling hills and bluff-side sections that provide a rewarding challenge without being overly difficult. While still accessible to newer trail runners, the terrain offers enough complexity to keep experienced runners engaged over multiple loops.​

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With scenic river views, dense forest coverage, and a true trail-running feel, the loop-based format allows runners to manage effort, refuel efficiently, and choose their distance as they go. Whether tackling a single lap or building toward a longer endurance effort, Cliff Cave Park delivers a balance of natural beauty, dynamic terrain, and convenient race support for athletes of all levels.

Location: Cliff Cave Park

806 Cliff Cave Rd, St Louis, MO, 63129

Distances Offered: 5K, 10K, 15K, 1/2 Marathon (13.1M), 18K, Marathon (26.2), 50K

Who is The Next Loop Endurance Series For?

The Next Loop Endurance Series meets athletes wherever they are in their endurance journey.

• New Runners: If you’re building confidence or working toward your first 10K, Next Loop gives you structure, support, and a low-pressure way to test yourself.

• Experienced Runners: Training for a marathon or half? Use multiple loops to dial in pacing, nutrition, and mental resilience in a controlled environment.

• Ultra Curious​: Ready to go long? Stack loops, push limits, and stop on your terms. Every distance is earned — and honored.No pressure. No limits. Just forward progress.

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Progression, Not Elimination

What makes The Next Loop Different?

Traditional endurance events force athletes to commit to a distance before the race begins.​

The Next Loop Endurance Series is different.​Athletes start together, complete one 5K loop at a time, and choose whether to continue.Every completed loop counts. When you decide you’re done, your effort is honored — no missed cutoffs, no failure.

This format encourages athletes to return again and again, building endurance through experience, not pressure.