Trail Running calendar near Stanley 2025-2026

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.

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.

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..

Run scenic but rugged trails around Stone Mountain in Roaring Gap, NC with 50K, 25K and 8 Miler options. The 50K features a carryable Protection Stone and every finisher earns a unique handcrafted pottery medal.

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 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..

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.