Trail Running Calendar North Carolina 2026-2027

The Last Wolf in Kings Mountain NC runs repeated 3.1 mile loops with time limits that cycle through 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 minutes. Runners are eliminated for missing cutoffs and the final winner must complete a solo loop within the limit.

This trail event features a certified 5K run and a 2K walk across a 50-acre horse ranch in Gastonia, NC. A short Half-Pint run for kids 7 and under is also on the schedule. It's planned as a rain or shine event, with registration available..

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.

Experience the Papertown Trail Races at Chestnut Mountain Nature Park in Canton. Choose between 10km and 20km chip timed courses featuring wooded trails and scenic views.

The Zombie Run 5K in Morganton adds a thrilling twist to a standard race. Participants must navigate the course while keeping their flags away from roaming Zombies. A separate Family Fun Run and a festive after party with food and drinks co..

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.

The Viewpoint Endurance Challenge is a timed trail run on a scenic 1.4-mile loop in the North Carolina mountains. Choose from 3, 6, 12, or 24-hour goals and run as far as you can, with no DNFs recorded. On-site lodging and crew support area..

Run scenic looped trails at Medoc Mountain State Park with single track, varied hills and a summit loop in 5 and 10 mile options. Limited to 500 runners, the race offers shirts, unique medals and hearty postrace soup and hot dogs.

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.

Trail ultramarathon in Uwharrie National Forest near Troy, NC on a 20.5 mile figure 8 loop; 100M is five loops, 100K is three. Field limited to 150 runners with a 36 hour cutoff and a 50-mile qualifying requirement for the 100M.

A 100 mile looped trail event in Hickory, NC on October 17 to 18, 2026 for solo runners and teams of 2 to 10, featuring about 70 percent trails, significant elevation, stocked aid stations, night running rules, and pacer and crew provisions..

Rootrock Trail Run at Briar Chapel in Chapel Hill offers 5K, 10K and Half Marathon courses across root and rock strewn single track trails. The event includes aid stations, chip timing, post race food, a free kids treasure race and awards.

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 costume-friendly community run in Hendersonville with a 5K and 1-mile route through the Historic 7th Avenue District and Oklawaha Greenway, finisher medals for 5K runners, event shirts, a costume contest, and a post-race Fall Festival.

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.

Take on a scenic trail challenge in Southern Pines. Choose between a four-hour race to complete as many one-mile loops as you can, or a three-loop 5K on the same beautiful course. The route passes a historic 470-year-old pine tree.

Trail races on and around Lake James with a 50K, relays, and a half marathon, starting and finishing at Fonta Flora Brewery's Whippoorwill Farm. Portions of proceeds support local trail development.

A 25 hour timed trail event at Camp Grier in Old Fort NC on a scenic 3.6 mile loop with roughly 600 feet of climb per lap. Free tent camping, stocked aid stations, milestone awards, and chip timing are provided.