Trail Running Calendar North Carolina 2026-2027

Experience a trail running festival in Pittsboro featuring 40 mile and 40K distances alongside a unique age-graded team relay. Enjoy a weekend of cross-country racing, live music, and camping in the scenic Shakori Hills.

Trail running event at Hanging Rock State Park on December 5, 2026, with 50k and 25k routes on technical forest trails and notable elevation gain. Organized by Tanawha Adventures with aid stations on both courses.

Trail race at Lake Norman State Park near Troutman NC offering 30K and 50K on single-track looped trails with about 1,600 ft elevation gain, stocked aid stations, finisher medals, and a rain-or-shine policy.

The Santa Beach Run 5K will take place in Atlantic Beach on Saturday 5 December 2026. You can run 5 kilometers.

A 24 hour ultrarun on the Roanoke Canal Trail using an out and back *10k* loop with start and finish at Weldon Mills Distillery on the Roanoke River. Held December 5 to 6, 2026; registration opens August 1, fee $120.

A trail run at Cape Fear Shiner Park in Lillington with a 1.17-mile loop and timed 9-, 6-, and 3-hour events. The cup-less fundraiser donates proceeds to Harnett Food Pantry; all finishers receive a medal and electronic timing is used.

A multi-distance trail event at Crowders Mountain featuring 100M, 100K, 50M, marathon and half marathon options on updated 2025 routes, significant elevation gain, four aid stations and specific pacer rules.

Experience the natural beauty of Cedarock Park with a variety of trail races in Burlington. Enjoy twisty single track trails followed by hot soup and a finisher hoodie at this long running December event.

A holiday 5K and 1-mile fun run at Silver Coast Winery with themed course sections, a Santa’s Workshop post-race party, finisher medals, guaranteed shirts for early registrants, and proceeds supporting the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association..

A roughly 5-mile trail race in Lenoir on 12/12/2026 featuring single-track, gravel and short hardtop sections, part of the Foothills Run Series, with early packet pickup, post-race s'mores and awards including Dirty Santa gift selection.

A weekend of trail races at Salem Lake offering a night 5K, looped 12.5K courses up to a 50K, and a four-person 50K relay, with water stops on looped courses, a seven hour cap for the 50K, finishers swag, and post-race food and beer.

Quest of the White Wolf is a running event in Lake Lure, North Carolina on January 9, 2027. It features 50K, 25K, 10K and 5K distances and is organized by Dirty Wolf Ultras.

The Legacy in Sapphire, NC on January 9, 2027 features trail races of 50K and 25K organized by Dirty Wolf Ultras, with marked loops, stocked aid, handmade finisher medals, and proceeds supporting brain deterioration and learning disabilitie..

A two day ultrarunning event in Wilmington NC on January 15 and 16 2027 offering 100 mile, 50 mile, 50K and relay options with on site camping plus music and event amenities.

A January trail event in Gibsonville, NC offering a 13.1 mile half with two river crossings, a 5 mile race, ruck divisions and virtual options. The race includes chip timing, on-course support, a hoodie and finisher medal.

Tsali Ultra is a winter trail event in Bryson City NC offering 8K, 30K, and 50K races. The 50K runs in conjunction with the NC USATF 50 km Trail Championships and aid stations are mostly cupless so bring a container.

A six hour trail race on a private 6.2 mile loop near Concord, NC, with extensive singletrack, creek crossings, and notable elevation gain. Aid station provisions, finisher awards for one lap, and a 50K award for completing five laps.

A mountain trail event in Roaring Gap with 8 mile, 25K and 50K options. The 50K includes collecting stone tokens at aid stations and finishers receive a unique handcrafted pottery medal.

Experience an epic trail run through Harris Lake County Park at the Viking Dash in Raleigh. Choose between 5K or 10K distances and earn a unique forged finisher medal for completing the journey.

Trail races at River Park North using a 6.2-mile loop: a 50K (five laps) and a 20K (two laps), offered solo or as relays. Proceeds support Heart for ENC.