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 Jackalope Trail Run, held at Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville, Alabama, is part of the Wild Thangs Trail Series. Scheduled for July 5, 2025, it offers two race distances: 4 miles and 8 miles. The event features scenic, spectator-friendly courses with bluff views, mountain scenery, creek cross..

The Hotter N' Hell Trail Run is a challenging trail race held at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama. Featuring 9- and 18-mile distances, the course includes climbs to the top of Double Oak Mountain and descents into Peavine Gorge, with an extra aid station near Peavine Falls to help runners..

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

In the Heat of the Night is a unique night trail running event held in Anniston, Alabama, featuring distances of 10K, 25K, 50K, and 100K. The race takes place on a loop course through the Talladega Forest roads and the scenic Pinhoti Trail, starting at Frog Pond Overlook. Runners experience a challe..

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 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, the course features difficult terrain with notable landmarks like Tranquility Lake Dam and Peavine Falls...

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 and 50K are point-to-point trail races held in Sylacauga, Alabama, featuring the scenic Pinhoti Trail across Horn Mountain. The 50-mile race covers 50 miles with about 5,171 feet of elevation gain, starting at Porter’s Gap and finishing at Lake Howard, while the 50K foll..

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, hosted by the Birmingham Ultra Trail Society and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, is an annual 5K and 10K trail race held in Pinson, Alabama. Set amidst the scenic Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, the course features moderate elevation and runs alongside the creek, with a short paved sect..

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..

October 2025

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 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 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 halfwa..

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 point-to-point 100-mile trail ultramarathon and a Western States qualifier for 2026. Starting in Heflin, AL, the course traverses the pristine Pinhoti single track trail, featuring 83 miles of single track, 17 miles of jeep roads, and 2 miles..

The Kettlebell Kountdown is a unique endurance race held at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama. Participants run a one-mile loop carrying a 20-pound kettlebell, completing up to 31 laps totaling 31 miles (50K). Each lap must be finished within a decreasing time limit, with rest allowed betwe..

The Standing Boy Trail Festival, held in Columbus, Georgia, offers a scenic and challenging trail running experience on November 8, 2025. The event features three race distances: a 50K (three loops of a 10-mile course), a 10-mile race (one loop), and a 5-mile race (half loop). The course is a flowin..