Trail Running Calendar North Carolina 2026-2027

Backyard Ultra in Concord, NC on July 25, 2026 with repeated 4.167 mile loops and an open ended format. Each loop must be completed within an hour and the last runner to finish a loop is declared the winner.

A 5K trail race at McAlpine Park on July 25, 2026, run on the Larry McAfee XC course. Prizes go to overall and age group winners, and to the team with the most participants; registration runs April 30 to July 11, fee $40.

A cross country club competition at Indigo Farms on the North Carolina South Carolina border, held each third Saturday in July. The course is just under four miles through fields and woods and uses combined gender team scoring so every runn..

At Tryon International Equestrian Center, the Asheville Spartan Event Weekend stages trail obstacle races across red clay hills, creek beds, and horse trails. Races include Sprint, Super, a kids race, plus an obstacle workshop and spectator..

Trail race in Danbury NC on August 1, 2026, covering about 11 miles with 1,600 feet of ascent, two rock scrambles and a river crossing.

A community 5K and kids 1K at West Davidson High School to raise funds for school athletics, featuring a mixed-surface two-loop 5K course, awards for top finishers, and an evening packet pick-up before the race.

A community trail run at Pilot Mountain on August 2, 2026, offering a 3–6 mile route and a post-run gathering at the trailhead in Pinnacle, NC.

A three-day guided trail running retreat in Roaring Gap, NC with lodge accommodations, daily guided runs, meals, coaching sessions, and on-site transportation.

A family mud and obstacle event in Morganton NC with a one mile course, 16 obstacles, giant sprinklers, inflatables and a lazy river. Registration includes a shirt and medal, photos are free and parking is $10 per car.

An evening trail 5K at Kanuga Conference Center with in-person and virtual options, family pricing for kids 12 and under, and a weekend challenge with the Kanuga Triathlon.

Feed Charlotte 5K at McAlpine Creek Park raises funds for local food banks through a community organized 5K on August 8, 2026.

Old Fort Fifty takes place in Old Fort, North Carolina on August 8, 2026, with an event schedule and course maps available. Results may be posted automatically to Twitter when participants connect their accounts.

An eight hour trail endurance event at Daniel Stowe Conservancy where participants run or walk as many 5K loops as they choose, with tiered registration and fundraising for the conservancy.

A 10th anniversary trail event at Hobby Park in Winston-Salem featuring 5K and 10K single track courses with roots, rocks and varied terrain. Field is limited to 200 runners and registration runs from May 1 to July 10.

A trail event at Rocky Branch Park in Belmont NC on August 15, 2026 offering 50K, 25K and 5K options. The course uses marked loops, has aid stations with varied food, allows trekking poles, and awards handmade pottery finisher medals.

Epiphany Cross Country in New Bern on August 17, 2026 features separate girls and boys 5K races. Entry has no fee and registration was recorded on December 7, 2025.

A trail race day at Tryon International Equestrian Center offering marathon, half and 10K distances on a 6.5-mile loop through packed paths, single-track and meadows, with one cup-less aid station and on-site camping.

A trail event at Briar Patch Hunting property featuring a 20K made from repeated 5K loops, relay and individual divisions, and Beer Mile races. Beer or chocolate milk is offered before laps and beer is available to those 21 and older.

A roughly 14-mile mountain race that climbs Grandfather Mountain twice over technical singletrack with about 4,200 ft of gain and a 200-runner field.

A themed 5K and a 500 m kids run on August 22, 2026 at East Davidson High School in Thomasville, NC. The event uses a campus cross country course, encourages decade attire, and includes an award for best dressed.