Trail Running Calendar North Carolina 2026-2027

A roughly 5 mile ascent near West Jefferson, NC, gaining about 1600 feet to a summit above 4600 feet. Options include a timed climb or an untimed hike; finishers and cheering spectators receive custom bells and there is music and shuttles a..

A 24 hour loop race at Hinson Lake in Rockingham, North Carolina, run on a USATF certified 1.5032 mile inner loop with wooded sand and gravel trail and more than 16 wooden foot bridges. Pacers must be registered and entries are limited.

A community trail event in Wilkesboro on September 26, 2026 offering 5K and 10K timed runs, a 5K untimed walk, and a virtual option, with chip timing and proceeds supporting the American Cancer Society.

A community 5K in Kannapolis on September 26, 2026 that raises funds for Leashes of Valor, which provides no-cost service dogs to post-9/11 veterans. The event is dog friendly and is part of the Run Kannapolis race series.

This USATF-certified 5K trail run starts at Sandhills Community College and winds through Southern Pines Reservoir Park. The event includes massages, food trucks, children's activities, and is dog friendly. After the run, stick around for c..

Run or walk through the scenic Martin Marietta Park in New Bern to support bereaved families. This flat gravel trail event offers both in person and virtual 5K options to honor and remember infants.

A trail race on the Bartram Trail in Franklin, NC offering 25K and 50K courses with substantial elevation gain, multiple aid stations, a 150-runner field limit, shuttle service for 25K, and post-race music and food.

A trail running event at Rocky Branch Park with on-site and virtual 5K and 10K options; timing uses bib chips, participants receive a branded T-shirt and sticker, and proceeds support the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

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.

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.

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.