Trail Running Calendar North Carolina 2025-2026

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..

The Hinson Lake 24 Hour Ultra Classic is an annual ultramarathon held at Hinson Lake in Rockingham, North Carolina. The 19th edition features a USATF-certified 1.5032-mile loop trail around the lake, composed of sand and gravel with over 16 wooden footbridges, including a 300-foot bridge crossing th..

The Chad Lovette Memorial Trail Run is an annual event held at Cub Creek Park in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The 10th edition, scheduled for September 27, 2025, offers multiple options including a 5K and 10K timed trail run, a 5K untimed trail walk, and a virtual run/walk. The race features chip tim..

The Salem Lake Trail Run in Winston Salem, NC, offers three race distances: 30K (18.6 miles), 7 miles, and 5K (3.1 miles). Set on a beautiful, mostly shaded, wooded trail around Salem Lake, the course is recognized as one of America's best running trails. This well-organized event serves as an excel..

Central Children's Home Cross Country Run takes place in Oxford, North Carolina at the Central Children’s Home grounds (211 W Antioch Dr). This festival-style event comprises 14 races, including the women's 6,000-meter and men's 8,000-meter cross-country runs, plus youth divisions and the Granville..

The JJ5K is an annual trail running event held in Stanley, North Carolina, at Common Ground. This beginner-friendly race features a 5K timed trail run primarily on grass and dirt paths, making it suitable for both adults and children. In addition to the timed 5K run, participants can join a 1-mile w..

The 2025 Track Attack 5k is a timed trail run/walk event held in Denver, North Carolina, at Rescue Squad Park near Lincoln Charter School's Denver campus. Scheduled for October 3, 2025, the race features four divisions based on grade levels and age: 4th or 5th grade, 6th through 8th grade, 9th throu..

The Wildwood Wander 5k is a trail race and ruck event held in Wildwood Park, Greenville, North Carolina. Hosted by the Greenville Police Department, this 5-kilometer race offers participants a scenic course through natural park trails. The event supports a good cause, with all proceeds benefiting th..

The Last Wolf is a trail-running event by Dirty Wolf Racing in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. It features Last Man Standing-style options with 50K, 25K, and a 5K race. The course is described as an easy gravel trail, roughly a mile out before turning back, with occasional gains to add some challeng..

The Naturalist Trail Race in Franklin, NC, offers challenging 25K and 50K distances through historic trails once explored by William Bartram in the late 1700s. The course features significant elevation gains—over 5,500 feet for the 25K and 8,500 feet for the 50K—highlighting a tough climb from Walla..

The Papertown Trail Races, held at Chestnut Mountain Nature Park in Canton, North Carolina, offer two challenging trail running distances: 10K and 20K. This inaugural event promises a beautiful yet demanding course through scenic natural surroundings. Participants can enjoy the rugged terrain and th..

The Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Run is a community-focused running event held at Elkin Municipal Park in Elkin, North Carolina. It features a 5k race and a 1-mile fun run for kids, both on an improved trail with no road crossings, offering scenic views suitable for all running levels. This event supports..

Lake Rhodhiss Trailfest, held in Valdese, North Carolina, is a trail running event featuring a 10-mile, 10K, 5K, and a one-mile fun run. Set within Valdese Lakeside Park, the courses primarily traverse technical, single-track trails characterized by rolling hills, roots, and rocks, offering a challe..

Cape Fear 24 Hour Endurance Run takes place in Lillington, North Carolina, on a USATF-certified 0.59-mile asphalt loop surrounding the town’s Parks and Recreation baseball fields. The course is mostly flat with one small incline, and offers ample parking and space to camp near your car; tents are al..

The Broad River Trail Run is a scenic trail running event held in Shelby, North Carolina, hosted by Broad River Greenway. Scheduled for October 11, 2025, the race offers two distance options: a challenging 10-mile course and a 5K out-and-back route. Both races start at the Ranger Station and feature..

Payson's Run 10k is a trail race held at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, North Carolina. The challenging 10-kilometer course features over 1,000 feet of elevation gain in the first half, winding along the Flint Ridge singletrack trail and passing the NOC’s zipline towers with scenic vie..

Uwharrie 100 Mile and 100K Trail Run takes place in the Uwharrie National Forest near Troy, North Carolina. The course is a 20.5-mile figure-8 loop that is highly technical, with roots and rocks and a dense forest canopy. 100-mile runners complete the loop five times; 100K runners complete it three..

The inaugural Another Round 25K takes place at Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head, NC. This unique endurance event challenges participants to complete five 5K loops, one every hour, totaling 25K. Runners can compete solo or in teams of two, alternating loops.The course features a small dune cros..

The Uwharrie Gold Rush is a challenging 50K trail race held in the Uwharrie National Forest near Mt. Gilead, North Carolina. The course features a 20.5-mile figure-8 loop of technical trails with roots and rocks under a lush forest canopy.Runners first complete the southern 11.5-mile portion before..

The TreeTops 8.5 Mile Race is an annual trail running event held in DuPont State Recreational Forest near Brevard, North Carolina. Limited to 300 participants, this challenging 8.5-mile course features nearly 1,000 feet of elevation gain through 10,000 acres of scenic forest with rolling hills and t..