Trail Running Calendar Alabama 2025-2026

Adventure-seekers looking for the best trail running experiences in Alabama should mark their calendars for a variety of events in 2025 and 2026. These races will take you through some of the most picturesque landscapes. Each race is a unique experience, offering a variety of trails that will challenge and invigorate runners of all skill levels.

Near Birmingham, the trail running scene thrives. With a variety of landscapes from rolling hills to dense forests, it's a top destination for runners seeking diversity in their routes. Montgomery, steeped in history, also grants trail runners the chance to connect with nature along the serene paths of its nearby parks. Travel south to Mobile to experience trail running in a coastal setting, where the city’s geographic diversity and lush greenery add to the satisfaction of trail runners.

Further north, Huntsville's proximity to the Appalachian foothills provides a more rugged terrain for those seeking a challenge amidst the beauty of the Monte Sano State Park and its surrounding areas. Tuscaloosa, with trails located along the Black Warrior River, offers runners the delightful combination of water views and woodland landscapes. Lastly, in Hoover, the suburban settings give way to unexpected natural retreats.

The Skunk Ape Trail Run, held at Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville, Alabama, is part of the Wild Thangs Trail Series. Scheduled for July 26, 2025, it offers 5-mile and 10-mile trail race options suitable for both new and experienced runners. The course features scenic mountain views, creek crossin..

August 2025

The In The Heat Of The Night will take place in Anniston on Saturday 9 August 2025. You can run between 10 and 100 kilometers.

The Chupacabra Trail Race, held on August 16, 2025, in Monte Sano State Park, Huntsville, Alabama, is the fourth event in the Wild Thangs Trail Series. It offers two distances: a 10K and a half marathon, catering to both new and experienced trail runners. The course features scenic mountain views, c..

The King of the Mountain is a challenging 5K race held at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama. Known as the Southeast's toughest 5K, the course features approximately 1,100 feet of elevation gain and loss over rugged terrain within just 3.1 miles. Starting at the North Trailhead, runners face..

The Ridge to Blazing Ridge Trail Race, held in Pelham, Alabama at Oak Mountain State Park, offers challenging 20-mile and 10-mile trail runs. Starting at the Redbud Pavilion near the BMX Track on Tranquility Road, the course is known for its difficulty and hot conditions, requiring all runners to ca..

The Zombie Backyard Ultra is a challenging endurance running event held at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama. Participants run a 4.167-mile loop with approximately 500 feet of elevation gain and loss. The race follows a backyard ultra format where runners start a new loop every hour and mus..

September 2025

The Rebecca Mountain 50 Mile is a challenging point-to-point trail race held in Sylacauga, Alabama, featuring both 50-mile and 50K distances. The course traverses the scenic Pinhoti Trail across Horn Mountain, offering runners stunning single-track trails, rolling hills, and breathtaking overlooks s..

The Chewacla Cha Cha is a trail running event held at Chewacla State Park in Auburn, Alabama. It features scenic single-track trail loops with two distance options: a 5K and a 10K. The race offers a challenging course through rolling trails, providing runners with a rewarding outdoor experience.Part..

The Darter Dash, held at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Pinson, Alabama, is an annual trail running event featuring 5K and 10K distances. The course offers a scenic run through moderate elevation trails alongside Turkey Creek, with a brief section on pavement. Unique to this race is the optional Sp..

The Conquer the Cave 5K is a unique running event held at Cathedral Caverns State Park in Woodville, Alabama. The scenic course begins in a picturesque valley surrounded by mountains and fields, leading runners into a spectacular 0.6-mile out-and-back section inside one of the Southeast's most impre..

The Go for the Gold Run Fest, held in McMullen Cove, Alabama, is a two-day running event featuring distances from a Kids 1 Mile Fun Run to challenging 25K and 50K trail races. The trail runs offer rugged single-track courses with significant elevation gains—over 2,500 feet for the 25K and 5,000 feet..

The Tomahawk Trail Endurance Challenge is a two-hour cross-country running event held at Oneonta High School in Oneonta, Alabama. Participants run as many loops as possible on a trail course featuring grass and hills, with regular running shoes recommended. The event supports the Oneonta High School..

October 2025

The Mayhaw Music Festival 5K is a scenic cross country race held at Honeybee Farms in Cottonwood, Alabama, about 20 minutes south of Dothan. The 5K course features diverse terrain including open fields, woods, farmland, and a lake crossing, offering runners a unique natural setting. The event takes..

The Lake Yahou 50K is a trail running event held in Anniston, Alabama, featuring three race distances: 50K, 10 miles, and 5.5 miles. The course consists mainly of runnable, non-technical single-track dirt trails with some rocky and rooty sections, offering a natural but accessible challenge. The 50K..

The Devils Race Track Backyard Ultra is an endurance running event held at the Land Trust of North Alabama’s Wade Mountain Preserve in Huntsville, AL. The race features a 4.167-mile loop combining runnable single-track trails, including the famous Devils Race Track trail, and a short road section to..

The Wade Mountain Marathon, held in Huntsville, Alabama, is North Alabama's only trail marathon, featuring marathon, half marathon, and 10K distances. Set amid scenic, low-traffic trails, the race takes place in late October, showcasing vibrant fall foliage and comfortable temperatures averaging bet..

The Endless Mile is an ultrarunning event held at Veteran's Park in Alabaster, Alabama, featuring a USATF-certified 1.00203-mile paved loop course. Participants can choose from multiple race durations including 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72-hour events, as well as marathon and 50K distances. The course is f..

The Halloween Havoc Half Marathon and 6 Miler is a festive night trail race held at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama. Featuring two loop courses of 13 and 6 miles, the event offers a mix of challenging hills, smooth single track, and jeep roads. Runners benefit from aid stations located ha..

The Oak Park Challenge is a 7-mile trail running event held in Huntsville, Alabama, featuring a challenging course that ascends and descends Monte Sano Mountain. The race follows a lollipop route starting from the Oak Park Trailhead, with approximately 1,000 feet of elevation gain. About 95% of the..

November 2025

The Pinhoti 100, held in Sylacauga, Alabama, is a premier 100-mile point-to-point trail ultramarathon and a Western States qualifier for 2026. Starting in Heflin, runners traverse the unspoiled Pinhoti single-track trail, covering 83 miles of single track, 17 miles of jeep road, and 2 miles of pavem..