Trail Running calendar near Mountain City 2025-2026

Join the 15th annual High Country Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving in Boone for scenic 5k and 10k trail races, a paved 5k fun run, live DJ and custom race shirts and finisher medals. Proceeds support Hospitality House of Northwest N.C.

Run scenic single track loops at Lake Norman State Park with 30K and 50K options on December 6, 2025. Enjoy well stocked aid stations, a 9 hour cut off, finisher medals, and awards for top overall and masters runners.

Celebrate the season at the Dirty Santa Trail Run in Lenoir, a festive 5 miles of single track, field and gravel trails ending with s'mores and hot cocoa. Part of the Foothills Run Series; register by Dec 1 to guarantee a hoodie.

Join a free 17 mile run along the scenic Virginia Creeper Trail from Alvarado Station to Abingdon. Handmade mementos for top, middle and final finishers plus warm post race drinks and snacks.

Run to the summit at Pilot Mountain on December 20, 2025 with 3 mile and 7 mile courses, limited to 150 runners. Enjoy scenic trails, an embroidered finisher beanie and a warm post race breakfast at the top.

Tackle the South Mountains Half Marathon at South Mountains State Park, a rugged 12.9 mile trail run with about 2,600 feet of climbing and creek crossings. Limited to 200 runners, all finishers earn hand crafted ceramic medals.

Run scenic but rugged trails around Stone Mountain in Roaring Gap, NC with 50K, 25K and 8 Miler options. The 50K features a carryable Protection Stone and every finisher earns a unique handcrafted pottery medal.

Spend Valentine's Day with a scenic 5K through Golden Road Vineyards and a celebratory mimosa at the finish. Run on site or join the virtual 5K to enjoy medals, vineyard views, and festive vibes.

Tackle the 25K Pilot Mountain Salamander Scamper in Pinnacle NC for a scenic trail challenge around the iconic pinnacle. Limited field, fully stocked aid stations, hot post race meal and a finisher medallion await.

Run the Froggy Mountain Warrior 100 near Galax VA this February in a winter group run of ten 10 mile loops with roughly 15,000 feet of climb. This low key, mostly self supported fundraiser for veterans includes a keepsake buckle.

Run the Land and Lakes Relay in late Feb 2026, a scenic team relay from Warren Wilson College in Asheville to Fonta Flora Brewery near Lake James. Teams of four or six share varied mountain legs and finish with awards and a celebratory beer..

Take on the Catawba Falls 15K on Feb 28 in Old Fort NC, a scenic trail run that climbs toward waterfalls with steep staircases, creek crossings, and mountain views. Proceeds support local land and trail conservation and local partners provi..

Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker in Old Fort, North Carolina offers a scenic but challenging mountain trail experience with 50 mile and 55K options. Expect technical singletrack, big climbs and well stocked aid stations for a memorable day on th..

Run scenic single track around Lake James from Fonta Flora Brewery on April 4, 2026 with 7 mile and 5K options. Finish with a Fonta Flora beer for 21 and over, a commemorative shirt and wooden finisher medal while supporting the Lake James..

Run the New River Trail Races on April 11 in Fries Virginia, a scenic, flat, 100 percent dirt out and back along the New River and Chestnut Creek. Choose 100k 50K 25K or 10K; headlamps are required for the 100k and finishers earn a buckle.

Leatherwood Marathons in Ferguson NC offers steep rugged looped trail running on private Leatherwood trails, run by Dirty Wolf Racing and billed as not a race. Distances span 25K to 100 mile with backcountry aid and pottery finisher medal.

Tackle the scenic yet rugged Seven Sisters 25 kilometer race in Montreat, NC, featuring roughly 4,000 feet of climbing and sweeping ridge top views. Expect technical trails, required safety gear, and a 5 hour cutoff.

Tackle the Froggy Mountain Sweet Sixteen 50K in Galax Virginia, a short loop course with about 500 ft vertical gain per mile and a 16 hour limit. Aid stations about every mile offer hot meals and there is free camping for runners and crew.

Troublesome Hollow is a scenic trail race in Bristol VA with flat fast river sections, swinging bridges, trestles and a climb to a fire tower. Choose from 50K, 25K or a 3 mile walk and enjoy chip timing, aid stations and great atmosphere.

Join the Iredell Rise & Shine 5K or 1 Mile Fun Run at Jennings Park on April 25, 2026, for scenic nature trails, strollers welcome, and food trucks. All ages welcome with water and first aid on site.