Trail Running calendar near Lenoir 2025-2026

Tackle the scenic yet rugged Seven Sisters 25 kilometer race in Montreat, NC, featuring roughly 4,000 feet of climbing and sweeping ridge top views. Expect technical trails, required safety gear, and a 5 hour cutoff.

Run flat dirt trails along the New River and Chestnut Creek in New River Trail State Park, with distances from 10K to 100k and a buckle for 100k finishers. Out and back courses have aid stations; this is a cupless event so bring a bottle.

Tackle the Froggy Mountain Sweet Sixteen 50K in Galax Virginia, a short loop course with about 500 ft vertical gain per mile and a 16 hour limit. Aid stations about every mile offer hot meals and there is free camping for runners and crew.

Smoky Mountain Relay sends teams on just over 200 miles of road and trail through Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, NC. Teams rotate through marked legs and finish with a lively party featuring live music, food and drinks.

Troublesome Hollow is a scenic trail race in Bristol VA with flat fast river sections, swinging bridges, trestles and a climb to a fire tower. Choose from 50K, 25K or a 3 mile walk and enjoy chip timing, aid stations and great atmosphere.

Run laps through Appalachian singletrack that passes a waterfall, creeks, and a vintage barn at the Firefly Trail Run. Choose a timed 6 or 12 hour challenge or a single loop 5K and enjoy on site camping and post race awards.

Run the 11th Grayson Highlands Trail Races at Grayson Highlands State Park near Mouth of Wilson VA on scenic mountain trails where wild ponies roam. Choose from 8 to 50 miles, with aid stations, medals and postrace food.

Hellbender 100 is a 100 mile trail race up Mt Mitchell in the Black Mountains with about 48,000 feet of climbing and pacers allowed. Organized by Run828, it qualifies runners for Hardrock and Western States and supports local nonprofits.

Quest for the Crest in Burnsville NC features 11K, 25K and a rugged 50K that tops out on Mt Mitchell. Expect steep climbs, hands on scrambling and rope sections for experienced trail runners.

Run the Cancer Active Trail Race in Black Mountain, choose in person or virtual 5K, and enjoy scenic trails. Aid stations, shirts for early registrants, and friendly volunteers make this a welcoming community event.

Kettlefoot is a scenic trail run at Doe Mountain Recreation Area near Mountain City, Tennessee, offering 50K, 25K and 13K on varied trails. Climb the 60 foot Kettlefoot Fire Tower for sweeping views across the region.

Take on the Dam Yeti on the Virginia Creeper Trail in Abingdon, VA with 50 mile, 55K or 25K Pepsi Challenge distances. Enjoy rails to trails scenery, trestles and a finish party at Sweetbay Brewing Co with a custom Yeti medal.

Run a rugged 50k loop, a net downhill half marathon, or a smooth 10k in Old Fort, NC with finishes at Camp Grier. Expect scenic ridge views, single track trails and full aid station support.

Take on Wicked Root 50K in Lowell NC on June 13, 2026, with 50K and 5K options on a scenic 10 mile loop featuring about 1,400 ft gain per loop. Aid stations are stocked and finishers earn unique handmade pottery medals.

Join the Buck Creek Streak, a clothing optional trail run or walk through woods and meadows at Carolina Foothills Resort in Chesnee, South Carolina. Pick a timed 5K or take on the longer 7.3K challenge and earn a special finisher medal.

Challenging mountain loop ultra near Galax VA with 50 and 100 mile options on a steep one mile course. Finishers earn a buckle and can enjoy on course aid, hot food, camping and outdoor showers for a supportive, rugged weekend.

Run scenic loops at Hollis Hills Farm in Ellenboro with 5K, 25K (3 loops) and 50K (6 loops) options, rustic aid stations and a 10 hour cutoff. Proceeds support the farm and finishers earn unique handmade pottery medals.

Take on the Sweaty Backyard Cox Ultra in Concord NC on July 25, 2026, a Backyard Ultra where the last runner standing wins. The Bronze level event is a direct qualifier for the Capital Backyard Ultra and covers the finisher's entry fee.

Hit twisty trails and climbs at Black Copperhead Sting in Belmont NC on August 15, 2026, with 50K, 25K or 5K loop options. Aid stations offer savory and sweet fuel and finishers earn a one of a kind handmade pottery medal.

Run the Dark Horse Trail Series at Tryon Equestrian Center on August 22, 2026 with marathon, half and 10k options. Enjoy scenic single track, meadow views, finisher medals and live timing on a friendly trail loop.