Trail Running calendar near Banner Elk 2026-2027

A certified 5K trail run on a 50 acre horse ranch near Gastonia, NC, accompanied by a 2K walk, a Half Pint race for ages 7 and under, and a virtual 5K option. The event runs rain or sunshine and will be canceled for lightning.

Two trail races at Chestnut Mountain Nature Park on October 10, 2026, covering about 6.2 and 9.3 miles. Chip timing is used, one on-course water station is provided, and awards go to the top ten men and women in each race.

A family-friendly event on October 10, 2026 in Morganton featuring a 5K Zombie Run with flag-capture rules and awards, plus a one mile costume fun run and an after party with food trucks and activities.

Timed 3 hour, 6 hour, and 12 hour events on a roughly 3 mile loop with two miles of trail and one mile of crushed cinder greenway in Valdese, NC. The event is the kickoff for Great State Trail Day and includes vendor space and food.

A 100-mile ultra in Hickory using a 4-mile mixed-surface loop, open to solo runners and teams of 2 to 10, featuring about 70% trail, over 15,500 feet of elevation, and marked signage for night running.

An 8.5 mile trail race in DuPont State Recreational Forest on October 17, 2026, benefiting the Friends of DuPont State Forest. The event is limited to 300 participants and offers a virtual entry, race swag and a free postrace forest festiva..

A community 5K and 1 mile event in downtown Hendersonville with an event shirt and finisher medal for all. Costume contest, chip timing, a Fall Festival finish, vendors, and a virtual option round out the experience.

Trail races at Lake James State Park near Nebo, NC including a 50K, two and three person relays, and a half marathon. The event finishes at Fonta Flora Brewery and supports local trail development.

On October 24, 2026 at Golden Road Vineyards in State Road, NC, a Halloween themed event offers a 5K, a 1.5 mile Sip & Stroll and a virtual 5K. Participants receive a finisher medal, a race shirt and a mimosa and age group awards start at 1..

The Froggy's Freaky Friday will take place in Galax from Saturday 31 October 2026 to Sunday 1 November 2026. You can run between 50 and 50 miles.

A 25-hour timed trail event at Camp Grier with 3.6 mile laps, scenic creek and lake views, tent camping, staffed aid stations, paced running allowed after ten hours, and milestone awards at 25, 50, and 75 miles.

A multi distance trail event at Kings Mountain State Park in Clover, SC featuring a roughly ten mile loop on the CCC Multi Use Trail. Options include 10 mile, 50K, 100K and 100 mile races with on course aid stations and cabin lodging.

Looking Glass 100K in Pisgah Forest NC is a single-loop trail race of about 62 miles with roughly 10,600 ft of climb. The course visits high elevation balds and waterfalls and requires strict mandatory safety gear and GPS tracking.

Run 5.2 miles every 4 hours for 24 hours to complete a 50K, available in-person in Damascus, VA or as a virtual challenge with flexible start times and mailed finisher medals.

Experience an off road 5K cross country run in the Vein Mountain area of North Carolina. All finishers receive a medal and the first thirty participants to register receive an event t-shirt.

Seven Trails in Damascus uses a 7.7 mile out and back loop so runners can stack laps into distances from 25K to 100 miles over a 30 hour window. The event has no cutoffs, medals for all finishers, and live lap timing.

A Thanksgiving morning running event in Boone offering 5K and 10K races, a fun run/walk, and a shirt-only nonprofit option, with on-site music, photo staging, costumes, giveaways, and a picnic shed with food and hot drinks.

Trail race at Lake Norman State Park offering 30K and 50K courses with a 9-hour cutoff, stocked aid stations, and a finisher medal for completers. Courses use single-track loops with no repeat sections.

Experience a free 17 mile trail run along the scenic Virginia Creeper Trail. Hosted by the State of Franklin Track Club, this cup less event features handmade mementos for select finishers and post race refreshments in Damascus.

A trail event at Crowders Mountain near Kings Mountain NC offering races from a half marathon to a 100 miler on looped routes with aid stations, elevation profiles, and rules for poles and pacers.