Trail Running calendar near Gastonia 2025-2026

Join Berry Your Turkey 5k Run/Walk on Saturday November 22 at The Farm near Newberry High for a friendly cross country 5k open to runners and walkers. Enjoy scenic trails and support a local youth program with optional donations.

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.

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 Upstate Run Club for a free 5k group run on the Swamp Rabbit Trail followed by food and drinks at Double Stamp Brewery in Greenville. All paces welcome; the club provides the main course so bring a side or dessert to share.

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..

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.

Run under the stars at The Longest Night, an overnight trail event at Lakewood Nature Preserve on Dec 20 to 21 that supports the Upstate Running Club Youth Team. Options range from 10K to 50 miles on a hilly 1.5 mile loop with cozy barn hub..

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.

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 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..

Join the 35th Uwharrie Mountain Run Feb 7 2026 in Uwharrie National Forest. Choose 40 mile, 20 mile or 8 mile single track courses with rocky roots, creek crossings and aid stations, and earn handcrafted pottery finisher awards.

Run the Mill Stone 50K at ASC Greenway in Fort Mill SC, a rugged scenic trail with creek crossings and technical single track. Pick the 50K three loop ultra or the 10M one loop and enjoy race swag, shirts and a custom 50K finisher medal.

Spend Valentine's Day with a scenic 5K through Golden Road Vineyards and a celebratory mimosa at the finish. Run on site or join the virtual 5K to enjoy medals, vineyard views, and festive vibes.

Run the Land and Lakes Relay in late Feb 2026, a scenic team relay from Warren Wilson College in Asheville to Fonta Flora Brewery near Lake James. Teams of four or six share varied mountain legs and finish with awards and a celebratory beer..

Take on the Catawba Falls 15K on Feb 28 in Old Fort NC, a scenic trail run that climbs toward waterfalls with steep staircases, creek crossings, and mountain views. Proceeds support local land and trail conservation and local partners provi..

Perennial is a lap based timed endurance run at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Choose a 3, 6, or 10 hour category and complete as many roughly 5K trail loops as you can. Scenic course, limited spots, and a self supported vibe.

Tackle the Naked Mountain Ultra at Morrow Mountain State Park NC, with 50, 25 and 10 mile courses that climb four park peaks across extensive singletrack. Aid stations and pacers for the 50 mile keep the trail energy high.