Trail Running Calendar North Carolina 2025-2026

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 is a festive trail race at Cedarock Park on December 13, 2025 offering 5K, 10K and Half Marathon routes across scenic, occasionally technical single track and equestrian trails. Finishers get a hoodie and medal and there is..

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.

Abramsthon on Dec 27 in Denver NC is a roughly 50k loop from Lake Norman Brewery up Anderson Mountain and back via road, rail and trail. Free entry; register by Dec 5. Mostly self supported with aid near miles 10 and 20 and the first 25 fin..

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.

Run or hike at Raven Rock State Park on January 4 with a 5 mile run, 5 mile untimed hike, or a challenging 25K. Expect scenic creekside single track, rocky technical sections, medals for all finishers, and limited spots and parking.

Brave winter trails at the Frosty Cox 6 Hour Trail Race in Concord, NC, a timed six hour challenge on a rugged 6.2 mile mostly singletrack loop. Limited spots for this 50K chase, register by Jan 7.

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.

Join the Freedom Starts Here run in Pinehurst on January 10 to raise funds for Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge, a faith centered recovery program. Choose 10K, 5K or 1 mile, enjoy Reservoir Park trails, swag, medals and family friendly fun.

Hit scenic single track at Little River Trail Runs in Rougemont on January 10, 2026 with a 10 mile or 7 kilometer option, aid stations and course support. All proceeds help maintain park trails for the local community.

Southern Tour Ultra in Wilmington NC Jan 16 and 17, 2026 offers 100 mile, 50 mile, 50K and team relay options run as repeated 10 mile loops at the race site. Support, camping, and shuttle service make it a weekend ultrarunning festival.

Run the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Trail Half Marathon or 5 Mile at Northeast Park, featuring rugged trails, two river crossings and rucking options for both distances. Finishers get a custom hoodie, medal, post race food and beer as part of the..