Trail Running calendar near Chapel Hill 2025-2026

The Derby 50K in Ellerbe, North Carolina, is a low-key ultramarathon covering 31.5 miles over three loops of rolling hills on a mix of asphalt and dirt roads. The course starts and finishes at the Derby Community Building and is marked with yellow arrows and signs, though it is not closed to traffic..

The Turkey Chase in Cary, North Carolina, is a festive running event held annually around Thanksgiving. Participants can choose from multiple distances including a 5K, 10K, and half marathon (13.1 miles), with both in-person and virtual race options available. The race offers a welcoming atmosphere..

The Shakori 40 Running Festival, held annually in December at the Shakori Hills Community Art Center in Pittsboro, North Carolina, is a vibrant celebration of running, nature, and community. The event features a 40-mile ultramarathon, a 40K open race, a 40-mile age-graded team relay for up to 10 mem..

The Cape Fear Holiday Run is a festive trail running event held at Cape Fear Shiner Park in Lillington, North Carolina. Featuring a 1.17-mile loop that blends scenic trails with a short paved section, the course is accessible for runners of all levels. Participants can choose from 9-hour, 6-hour, or..

The Run at the Rock Half Marathon is part of the 21st Annual Run at the Rock event held at Cedarock Park in Burlington, North Carolina. This trail race features a challenging two-loop half marathon course with 999 feet of elevation gain, combining twisty single-track and smooth equestrian trails. Th..

The Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (WTF) Trail Half Marathon & 5 Mile is a winter trail running event held in January at Northeast Park in Gibsonville, North Carolina. Participants can choose between a half marathon and a 5-mile race, both set on scenic trail courses. The event offers a unique winter running..

Groundhog's Lap Race is an endurance running event held at Haw River State Park Iron Ore Belt Access in Greensboro, North Carolina. Scheduled for January 31, 2026, the race challenges participants to run loops on the 3.25-mile Great Blue Heron Loop single-track trail through the woods. Runners can c..

The Uwharrie Mountain Run is an annual trail running event held in the Uwharrie National Forest of central North Carolina, featuring challenging single-track courses of 8, 20, and 40 miles. Celebrating its 35th year, the event attracts both recreational and elite runners, offering a unique experienc..

The TarDevil 30 Mile Bushwhack is an annual 30-mile point-to-point training run between UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University in North Carolina. Held in alternating directions each year, the event starts at the Old Well at UNC in even years and at Duke Chapel in odd years. This challenging run feature..

The Naked Mountain Ultra is a trail running event held at Morrow Mountain State Park in Albemarle, North Carolina, featuring distances of 50 miles, 25 miles, and 10 miles. The course traverses four of the park's mountain peaks within the Uwharrie Mountains, offering runners a challenging experience..

The MST 100 Endurance Races, held near Durham, North Carolina, feature ultramarathon distances of 100 miles, 50 miles, 50 kilometers, and a 10-mile race. The event starts and finishes at the scenic Rolling View Recreation Area, with courses primarily on the Mountains to Sea Trail along the south sid..

Uforea is a unique trail running event held in Troy, North Carolina, within the Uwharrie National Forest. The race features two 50K challenges: a daytime clockwise loop and a nighttime counter-clockwise loop, each covering approximately 32 miles through the Uwharrie and Dutchman's Creek Trail system..

The Agapé 100k + 50k is a challenging trail ultramarathon held at Camp Agapé in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Scheduled for May 16, 2026, the event features rugged terrain with technical singletrack and gravel trails, including significant elevation gains—12,000 feet for the 100k (10 loops) and 6,0..