The Next Loop Endurance Series | Cliff Cave Park 2026 — St Louis, MO

What Is The Next Loop? The Next Loop Endurance Series is a loop-based endurance running event designed for every type of runner — from first-time 10K participants to seasoned marathoners, ultra runners, CrossFit, Hyrox, and tactical athletes. You’ll run a 3.1-mile (5K) trail loop, starting a new loop every hour on the hour. After each loop, you decide: Run another loop Or stop — no penalties, no DNFs Every completed loop counts. ⏱️ How Scoring Works This event uses a simple, transparent scoring system that rewards consistency, pacing, and endurance. For each loop: Time starts when the loop begins Time stops when you cross the finish line That loop time is officially recorded Your overall score is calculated by combining the times of every loop you complete. There are: ❌ No penalties for stopping ❌ No missed-cutoff failures ✅ Only completed loops counted. This allows athletes at every level to compete meaningfully. 👟 Why This Format Works for Everyone New Runners: Run your first 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon without pressure Stop when you’re done — your result still counts Compare performance with others completing the same number of loops Marathon & Ultra Runners: Test pacing, fatigue, and recovery across multiple hours Analyze loop-by-loop performance Use results as a benchmark — not just a finish time Hybrid / Functional Athletes - (CrossFit, Hyrox, Tactical Games) Measure recovery between efforts Evaluate consistency under fatigue Test endurance without committing to a fixed distance 🌲 Course & Event Environment Scenic trail-based 5K loop Clearly marked course Start/finish located at a central base area Aid station available each hour Family- and crew-friendly atmosphere 🏁 How Far Will You Go? Loops Completed/Total Distance 1 Loop = 5K 2 Loops = 10K 4 Loops = Half Marathon 9 Loops = Marathon 10 Loops = 50K You are never locked into a distance. Each loop is a new decision. 🎯 Who Should Register? ✔ Runners of all levels ✔ Athletes training for longer events ✔ Anyone curious how far they can go — one loop at a time ✔ Anyone who wants an endurance challenge without failure pressure 🧠 The Philosophy This isn’t about speed alone. It’s about discipline, recovery, decision-making, and endurance. Run the loop. Recover. Decide. Repeat. 📸 Results, Rankings & Bragging Rights Official timing for every completed loop Results ranked by loops completed and combined time Post-race data you can analyze, share, and build from Ready to See How Many Loops You’ve Got? 👉 Register now and find your next limit — one loop at a time.