Trail Running calendar near Saddlebrook 2025-2026

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.

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.

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 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.

Brave winter trails at the Frosty Cox 6 Hour Trail Race in Concord, NC, a timed six hour challenge on a rugged 6.2 mile mostly singletrack loop. Limited spots for this 50K chase, register by Jan 7.

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.

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.

Tackle the 25K Pilot Mountain Salamander Scamper in Pinnacle NC for a scenic trail challenge around the iconic pinnacle. Limited field, fully stocked aid stations, hot post race meal and a finisher medallion await.

Run through scenic countryside at the Ellerbe Marathon and Half Marathon, a USATF certified loop that brings you back to town for a festive finish. Finishers get a custom medal, pottery wine cup, race shirt and a post race meal.

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.