Trail Running calendar near Albemarle 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.

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.

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.

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..

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.

Mo Big Butt on December 27, 2025 is a self timed, unsupported 50 km run with on site parking for those familiar with the course. The route recently hosted a 50 km ultramarathon that saw 28 finishers and two state records.

Start the new year on the trails at the 13th annual Gnome Run in Fort Mill on January 1, 2026. Choose a 10 mile ruck or run or a 5K family fun run, then enjoy a traditional New Year lunch while supporting the Baxter Trail Club.

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.

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.

Tackle trails and river crossings at the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Trail Half Marathon and 5 Mile in Gibsonville NC on Jan 17, 2026, with hoodie, medal and post race food and beer. In person and virtual distances plus ruck entries.

Join the Roy Abernathy Legacy Race at George Poston Park in Gastonia on Jan 17, 2026, offering distances from 1 mile to 50K on scenic trail and soccer loop routes. Celebrate a meaningful cause supporting brain research and earn a handmade p..

Test yourself on rocky, rooty trails and waterfalls at Hanging Rock State Park in the HAROC challenge. Choose a technical 50k or 25k with aid stations and scenic views; register by Jan 28 for the Jan 31 race.