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.

Rebecca Mountain 50 Mile is a point-to-point trail race held in Sylacauga, Alabama, along the Pinhoti Trail from Porter’s Gap to Lake Howard. The event offers a 50-mile option and a 50K (about 31 miles). The 50 Miler climbs Horn Mountain and traverses roughly 31 miles of single-track, with 19 miles..

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 is part of the Southern Singletrack Trail Series and benefits the Valley Rescue Mission.Participants enjoy a c..

Located in Pinson, Alabama at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve (3906 Turkey Creek Rd), the Darter Dash is a 5k and 10k trail run presented by the Birmingham Ultra Trail Society (BUTS). Runners traverse wooded trails with moderate elevation and a stretch of pavement, along Turkey Creek, in a preserve kno..

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..

Lake Yahou is a trail race near Anniston, Alabama, held at Lake Yahou (370 Lake Yahou Rd, Anniston, AL 36205) with three distances: 50K, 10 Miler, and 5.5 Miler. The 50K runs three loops totaling roughly 3,000 feet of elevation gain, with a 10-hour cutoff; the 10 Miler climbs about 1,000 feet; the 5..

The Devils Race Track Backyard Ultra takes place at Wade Mountain Preserve in Huntsville, Alabama (10130 Spragins Hollow Rd NW). It uses Lazarus Lake’s format: a 4.167-mile loop must be completed within one hour to continue, with a new loop starting each hour. Daylight runs use runnable trails throu..

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

The Endless Mile is a multi-day ultramarathon at Veteran’s Park in Alabaster, Alabama (7305 Highway 119). It offers 72-, 48-, 24-, 12-, and 6-hour options, plus a Marathon and a 50K, run on a USATF-certified loop of 1.00203 miles. The flat, asphalt, lighted course winds through woods and around lake..

Halloween Havoc is a Halloween-themed night trail race at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama. The event offers two distances: a 13-mile loop and a 6-mile loop. The course features a mix of challenging hills, smooth single track, and jeep roads, run as loops with a halfway aid station for the..

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. Starting from the Oak Park Trailhead, the race follows a lollipop route with approximately 1,000 feet of elevation gain, primarily on sing..

November 2025

Lobsterfest 5K is a community running/walking event held in Huntsville, Alabama (35803) on Saturday, November 1, 2025. The 5K takes participants along the Aldridge Creek Greenway, starting from St. Thomas Episcopal Church, with a welcoming atmosphere suitable for all ages and fitness levels.Entrants..

Kettlebell Kountdown is a unique endurance challenge held at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama. The 50K competition consists of 31 one-mile laps around a loop, with each lap carried out while holding a 20-pound kettlebell. Runners must complete every lap within a decreasing time limit or be..

The Pinhoti 100 is an annual premier 100-mile ultramarathon held in Sylacauga, Alabama, traversing the scenic Pinhoti Trail through the Talladega National Forest. This point-to-point race starts at Pine Glen Campground near Heflin and finishes at the Sylaward Trail Head at Lake Howard. The course fe..

XTERRA Appalachian Trail Fest unfolds at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama, and centers on two XTERRA World Championship Qualifier trail races: the 35K “The Mullet” and the 15K “The Half Mullet,” along with a Family Hike 5K. The rugged course blends fast, flowing singletrack with backcountr..

The Standing Boy Trail Festival, held in Columbus, Georgia, offers a variety of trail running distances including a 50K, 10 miler, 5 miler, and a unique Canicross 5 miler. The event takes place on the beautifully designed Standing Boy Trails, featuring smooth, flowing single-track paths along the Ch..

Cathedral Caverns Trail Run is a RunningLane Events trail race held at Cathedral Caverns State Park in Woodville, Alabama. The course offers 5K and 15K distances, each capped at 300 runners. Runners start in a valley with views of mountains and fields, then traverse single-track trails; the last 1.2..

The BUTS Bearly Ultra is a trail running event held at Red Mountain Park in Birmingham, Alabama, featuring two distances: a 27-mile ultra and a 13.5-mile race. The course offers a diverse trail experience, including runnable old rail beds, technical single tracks, and scenic overlooks like Grace's G..