Trail Running calendar near Stanley 2025-2026

Roll the dice and run The Unforeseen on Nov 15, 2025 at Reedy Creek Nature Preserve in Charlotte. A 2.25 mile loop turns into a surprise race distance from 4.5 to 27 miles, making every lap a thrilling gamble.

Run through woods from dusk to dawn at Long Night in Lanford, an overnight 1 mile loop event plus a spooky 5K Afraid of the Dark. Enjoy headlamp miles, on site camping, sunrise finish and proceeds to the Laurens County Humane Society.

Join the Run With Compassion 5K on November 15 in Boonville for a chip timed run and a Pastor Dash. Run or walk to support Compassion Care Center and fund free life affirming community services.

Join the 2nd Belarusian Carolinas Trails Run in Charlotte and choose a 5K or 1M along Sugar Creek Greenway. Refreshments and tees await as proceeds support a Nobel laureate championing human rights and freedom.

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.