Trail Running Calendar North Carolina 2026-2027

A certified 5K trail run on a 50 acre horse ranch near Gastonia, NC, accompanied by a 2K walk, a Half Pint race for ages 7 and under, and a virtual 5K option. The event runs rain or sunshine and will be canceled for lightning.

Test your endurance at Jockey High Ridge State Park by completing a 5k loop every hour for five hours. Run the full 25k solo or pair up with a teammate to tackle this unique coastal loop challenge.

Test your limits on a USATF certified asphalt loop in Lillington. This supported endurance event features a lit course at night and convenient trackside camping for a personalized running experience.

Trail races at Chestnut Mountain Nature Park on October 10 with 20K and 10K options, chip timing, one water station on course, post-race snacks, and awards for the top ten men and women in each race.

A family-friendly event on October 10, 2026 in Morganton featuring a 5K Zombie Run with flag-capture rules and awards, plus a one mile costume fun run and an after party with food trucks and activities.

Join this cross country event in New Bern North Carolina featuring dedicated races for middle school and high school athletes. Run through a natural course at the Epiphany school grounds with 5K and youth distances available.

A timed endurance event in Whittier, NC with 24 hour, 12 hour, 6 hour and 3 hour formats on a 1.4 mile gravel and asphalt loop, with aid station, restrooms, shower facilities, permitted canopy areas and on-site lodging options.

Trail races at Medoc Mountain State Park on October 17, 2026 with 5 mile and 10 mile options that share start and finish areas. The 10 mile course adds mountain bike trails and a summit loop amid wooded single track.

Experience a scenic 5K trail run through Carolina Beach State Park to celebrate Great Trails State Day. Support young runners while racing past natural coastal landscapes in this inclusive community event.

Deerfly Trail Race at Carvers Creek State Park features timed 11K and 6K courses plus canine-only events on October 17, 2026. The event is limited to 200 participants and includes year-six shirts, coins, and cash awards for course records.

Two ultramarathon distances on October 17-18, 2026 in Uwharrie National Forest using a 20.5 mile figure eight loop. Field is limited to 150 runners and both races have a 36 hour cutoff.

A 100-mile ultra in Hickory using a 4-mile mixed-surface loop, open to solo runners and teams of 2 to 10, featuring about 70% trail, over 15,500 feet of elevation, and marked signage for night running.

Rootrock Trail Run at Briar Chapel features 5K, 10K and Half Marathon single track courses with varied technical terrain, on-course aid, chip timing, post-race food, and finisher medals.

A four hour timed challenge of repeated one mile loops at Weymouth Woods with a separate five kilometer three loop option. Aid station support, race shirts and medals are provided and prizes go to the top male and female.

An 8.5 miles trail race in DuPont State Forest on October 17, 2026 benefiting Friends of DuPont Forest. The well marked singletrack route features nearly 1,000 feet of elevation gain, two water stations and a post race forest festival.

A Halloween-themed 5k and 1 Mile in Hendersonville on October 24, 2026, presented by Aetna, with costumes encouraged, finisher medals, a Fall Festival at the Farmers’ Market, a virtual 5k option, and a costume contest with prizes.

Experience an iconic North Carolina trail race at Bur Mil Park featuring scenic watershed trails around three lakes. Choose from half marathon, marathon, or forty mile distances with solo, relay, and rucking categories available.

Trail races at Lake James State Park in Nebo North Carolina on October 24 and 25 2026 featuring a 50K, relays, and a half marathon that support local trail development.

A 24 hour loop event at Mint Hill Park with a 1.35 mile mixed surface course. Solo runners and relay teams share a marked loop with an aid station, parking, tent space, and awards for 100K and 100 mile finishers.

A 25-hour timed trail event at Camp Grier in Old Fort, NC, run on a scenic 3.6-mile loop with about 600' of gain per lap. Free tent camping, staffed aid stations, electronic timing, and milestone awards for 25/50/75 miles.