Trail Running Calendar North Carolina 2025-2026

The Dark Horse Trail Series is a scenic running event held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina. It features three race distances: a marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), and 10k. The course consists of a 6.5-mile loop through wide dirt paths, sing..

The Twin Anchors Copperhead Beer Relay 20K and Beer Mile is a unique running event held in Hampstead, North Carolina, at the scenic Briar Patch Hunting property near Poplar Grove Plantation. Participants can compete individually or in teams of 2 to 4, running four 5K loops to complete the 20K distan..

The RahStyle 4-Hour Trail Relay is a dynamic endurance event held at The Union Exchange in Monroe, North Carolina. Teams of two alternate running 2-mile legs, each consisting of two scenic loops on a one-mile trail through the venue's grounds, continuously for four hours. The relay emphasizes teamwo..

The Friday Night Lights - Elon Opener is a cross country running event held in Elon, North Carolina, serving as the season opener for Elon's cross country team. The race features a men's 6k and a women's 4k, with women running four laps and men six laps of a 1000-meter course. This evening race offe..

The Not-A-Sprint Ultra Races, held annually in Forest City, North Carolina, is an endurance running event featuring 3-, 6-, and 12-hour race options on a scenic, flat, and paved 8.34-mile out-and-back course along the Thermal Belt Rail Trail. The course offers minimal elevation gain (95 feet) and ab..

The Small Team Challenge is a running event held in McLeansville, North Carolina, at Keeley Park. It features multiple races catering to different age groups and skill levels, including an Elementary Mixed 2K, Middle School Girls and Boys 3K, and High School/Open Girls and Boys 5K races. The event e..

Chasing Trails Ultras is a trail running event held in Old Fort, North Carolina, featuring timed races of 3, 6, and 12 hours, plus a 5k option. The course consists of a challenging yet beginner-friendly ~3.2-mile loop with about 380 feet of elevation gain, winding through the scenic Gateway Trail sy..

Carpe Diem – Carpe Noctem Half Marathon and 10K marks Trivium Racing’s inaugural NC trail event at Hagan-Stone Park in Pleasant Garden. The course uses well-groomed, well-marked trails that suit both daylight and moonlight, with a Half Marathon and 10K offered in morning (day) and evening (night) wa..

The Mount Jefferson Ascent is a challenging 5-mile trail run and hike located in West Jefferson, North Carolina, featuring approximately 1,600 feet of elevation gain and reaching heights over 4,600 feet. The course begins with a road climb, then follows a series of trails including Mountain Ridge, S..

Springmaid Splash is a trail running event held at Springmaid Mountain Resort in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, featuring 5K and 10K races through scenic, lush trails on a 400-acre property. The course includes a unique splash crossing of the North Toe River, offering a true mountain running experienc..

The Roanoke Canal 5k is a trail running event held in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, following the historic Roanoke Canal Trail built in 1823. The course features a natural surface with mostly flat terrain and some hills, passing over original canal culverts and a large bulkhead once used for mill..

The Cane Creek Mountain Trail Run, held in Snow Camp, NC, offers a challenging and scenic trail running experience with 10K and half marathon distances. Set in the 1,000-acre Cane Creek Mountain Natural Area, the courses feature stellar single-track trails, steep climbs including a 300-foot ascent t..

The Shining Hope Farms Salute Trail Run is an annual event held at Shining Hope Farms on Saint Peters Church Road in Conover, North Carolina. Scheduled for September 13, 2025, this 5th annual run offers participants a choice between 5k and 10k trail distances through scenic trails on a sprawling 120..

Located at Sugg Farm (Bass Lake Park), Grigsby Ave, Holly Springs, NC, Sugg Farm Ultra offers Holly Springs’ first ultramarathon. The event features 20-, 40-, and 50-mile trail races on a 5-mile out-and-back course composed of mulch, gravel, and single-track trails with a few hills. Aid stations at..

The Epiphany Cross Country #2 is a running event held in New Bern, North Carolina, at 2301 Trent Road. Scheduled for September 15, 2025, the event features separate 5K races for girls and boys. While specific details about the course layout and atmosphere are not provided, the event offers a competi..

Table Rock Ultras is a challenging trail running event held in Morganton, North Carolina, featuring 50K and 30K race options. The 50K course includes a summit climb of Table Rock Mountain, with approximately 5,700 feet of vertical ascent and 11,000 feet of total vertical change, traversing single-tr..

Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock Ultra is a scenic, challenging trail ultrarun in North Carolina. The race runs from Pilot Mountain State Park to Hanging Rock State Park, offering options of a 50-mile, a 50K, a 50-mile relay, plus virtual versions. It’s touted as one of the Southeast’s most beautiful..

Flint's Fabulous 5K is a dog-friendly run in Kannapolis, NC, at 150 North Research Campus Drive. The race benefits Leashes of Valor, which provides no-cost service dogs to post-9/11 veterans. The 2nd annual event is part of the Run Kannapolis Race Series, with a 25% discount for registering all eigh..

The Buzzard Rock Ultra, held in Robbins, North Carolina, offers challenging trail running on the Bear Creek Trail System. Featuring a demanding 10-mile loop known as the hardest in Moore County, the course includes rolling singletrack trails, steep climbs, and scenic views, including a summit at Buz..

Run the Rock | Mount Airy is an exciting 5K trail race held at the active Luck Stone quarry in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Scheduled for September 20, 2025, this unique event offers runners an adrenaline-pumping experience through a gravel course within a working rock quarry. Open to all ages up to..