Trail Running Calendar North Carolina 2025-2026

Run rolling trails through hardwood forest at the 16th Annual Camp Chestnut Ridge Trail Races in Efland NC on Nov 22, 2025, with 4 mile and 8 mile options and a 3 mile virtual race. Scenic, challenging trails and a friendly community vibe.

Test your limits in the 16 hour Lock In at Carolina Beach State Park, looping a scenic 4.5 mile coastal forest course with sandy trails and two rolling hills. Basecamp offers aid, hot meals and camping; bring a headlamp and refillable bottl..

Celebrate Thanksgiving at the Birds of a Feather Trail Trot with scenic 2 Mile and 5K trail runs for timed racers and fun runners. Family friendly kids races, shirts, photos and donations support local food pantries.

Join the 15th annual High Country Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving in Boone for scenic 5k and 10k trail races, a paved 5k fun run, live DJ and custom race shirts and finisher medals. Proceeds support Hospitality House of Northwest N.C.

Hit the trails at Cane Creek Mountains the Friday after Thanksgiving for the Black Toenail Friday race. Pick a 13.1 or 7.5 mile course with in person, ruck or virtual options and earn a long sleeve shirt and finisher medal.

Take on the Derby 50K in Ellerbe North Carolina on Nov 29, a three loop counterclockwise course of rolling hills on asphalt and dirt. Finish with a community spaghetti meal and help support local causes.

Celebrate Thanksgiving with the Turkey Chase in Cary NC, offering in person and virtual half marathon, 10K, 5K and a Kids in Strollers mile at scenic Umstead State Park. Finishers get medals and cozy hats in a fun community vibe.

Run Briar Chapel's scenic forest trails in the Leftovers Trail Run with 5K and 10K routes featuring roots, rocks and short climbs. Pick a vintage tee and medal, enjoy a free kids treasure race, pro photos and post race food.

Brooks South XC Championships on Nov 29, 2025 at McAlpine Park in Charlotte offers 3K and 5K races for youth, high school, open and masters runners. Top finishers earn medals, swag and berths to the Brooks XC Championships in San Diego.

Join the Shakori 40 festival in Pittsboro, NC on December 5 and 6, 2025 for trail running and festival fun. Choose 40 miles, 40K or 4 miles on scenic cross country trails, then unwind with live music, camping, food and bonfires.

Run scenic single track loops at Lake Norman State Park with 30K and 50K options on December 6, 2025. Enjoy well stocked aid stations, a 9 hour cut off, finisher medals, and awards for top overall and masters runners.

Beast of the East 100 at Crowders Mountain near Kings Mountain NC offers distances from Half Marathon to 100 Miler on scenic but rugged singletrack with serious elevation gain. Robust aid stations and great community support make it a class..

Run At The Rock on December 13, 2025 at Cedarock Park in Burlington features scenic trail 5K, 10K and half marathon courses through root and rock filled single track with rewarding climbs. Registration includes a race hoodie, finisher medal..

Celebrate the season at the Dirty Santa Trail Run in Lenoir, a festive 5 miles of single track, field and gravel trails ending with s'mores and hot cocoa. Part of the Foothills Run Series; register by Dec 1 to guarantee a hoodie.

Join SOHO HO AND AWAY WE GO! at Silver Coast Winery for a festive 5K or 1 Mile Fun Run through holiday vineyard scenes. Finishers enjoy Santa's Workshop with music, costumes, drinks, and proceeds supporting Combat Vets.

Run to the summit at Pilot Mountain on December 20, 2025 with 3 mile and 7 mile courses, limited to 150 runners. Enjoy scenic trails, an embroidered finisher beanie and a warm post race breakfast at the top.

Run scenic single track trails at the Carolina Beach Half Marathon and 5K on January 3 2026 in Carolina Beach NC. Finishers receive medals and post race snacks and water, plus a beer for those 21 and over on the American Legion patio.

Kick off 2026 at Raven Rock State Park in Lillington NC with a scenic 5 mile run, 5 mile hike or a challenging 25K across rocky single and double track. Enjoy medals, local shirts, photos and warm food at the finish.

Run the Frosty Cox 6 Hour Trail Race, a scenic 6.2 mile singletrack loop with creek crossings and hefty climbs. You have six hours to complete as many full laps as you like while enjoying stocked aid stations and finisher awards.

Tackle the South Mountains Half Marathon at South Mountains State Park, a rugged 12.9 mile trail run with about 2,600 feet of climbing and creek crossings. Limited to 200 runners, all finishers earn hand crafted ceramic medals.