Trail Running Calendar North Carolina 2026-2027

Timed endurance events on a 1.4 mile loop in Whittier, North Carolina offer 24, 12, 6 and 3 hour options with on-course aid, lap timing and onsite lodging. The loop mixes gravel and asphalt with modest elevation change each lap.

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.

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 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.

A looped 1-mile trail event at Weymouth Woods offering a four hour distance challenge and a three-loop 5K with recorded laps, an aid station, awards, and race shirts and medals.

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 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.

Tideland 24 is a fully supported 24 hour ultramarathon in Cedar Point, NC on a USATF certified 1.37779 mile loop through marsh and forest. Proceeds support the Marine Raider Foundation and finishers who reach 100 miles earn a belt buckle.

Experience a scenic trail run at Hines Farm and Stables with distances for all ages. Enjoy professional photography and a sweet frozen yogurt reward at the finish line of this community event.

The Unforeseen is a trail event at Reedy Creek Nature Preserve on November 14, 2026, featuring a dice determined race distance or a six hour lap challenge. The 2.25 mile loop is on gravel and single track with aid at the pavilion.

A 5K trail run with a virtual 5K option on November 14, 2026 at The Simpson Event Center in Monroe, NC, featuring an expo, vendor food trucks, participant giveaways, and proceeds benefiting the UCSO Foundation.

Single loop 100K in Pisgah Forest around Looking Glass Rock with multiple summits above 6,000 ft and varied trail surfaces. Nine aid stations, mandatory mountain safety gear, drop bag locations and a 20 hour cutoff.

Experience an off road 5K cross country run in the Vein Mountain area of North Carolina. All finishers receive a medal and the first thirty participants to register receive an event t-shirt.

A 16 hour endurance event at Carolina Beach State Park where participants run a 4.5 mile loop as many times as they wish. The course features trails, sand, roots and two short climbs, with camping options and aid station support.