Burke County
Trail Running Calendar near Burke County 2026-2027
Explore the top trail runs near Burke County for 2026-2027! We've gathered 20 exciting trail runs in the area. Check out our detailed list below to find your next local trail run.
August 2026
A roughly 14-mile mountain race that climbs Grandfather Mountain twice over technical singletrack with about 4,200 ft of gain and a 200-runner field.
September 2026
XC Experience is a two lap 5k on the R S Central High School cross country course in Rutherfordton NC. The route uses packed dirt, grass and some pavement and finishes on the stadium track with multiple spectator viewing points.
October 2026
A themed 5K with flag-capture zombies plus a one mile family fun run in downtown Morganton on October 10, 2026, with food trucks and a fall after party.
Timed 3, 6 and 12 hour trail events on a roughly 3 mile loop at Lake Rhodhiss in Valdese NC, with food, tent space, and occasional live music.
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.
Trail races in Nebo NC including a 50K with 2 and 3 person relays plus a half marathon along Lake James trails; proceeds support local trail development.
A 25 hour timed trail event at Camp Grier in Old Fort NC on a 3.6 mile loop with aid stations, free tent camping, and awards for top and milestone distances.
November 2026
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.
December 2026
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.
January 2027
Trail half marathon on January 9 2027 in South Mountains State Park near Connelly Springs NC, 12.9 miles with about 2,600 feet of climb and two creek crossings.
February 2027
A 15k trail race in Old Fort, NC on Feb 27, 2027 featuring a riverside opening, a 3.5 mile loop to Catawba Falls, and support for local trail conservation.
March 2027
April 2027
May 2027
Hellbender 100 in Old Fort NC is a 100 mile mountain trail race through the Black Mountains with roughly 48,000 ft of elevation change and a 39 hour cutoff.
The Bear Crawl OCR is a locally operated obstacle course event in Morganton, North Carolina, held at a motocross training facility. It offers one- to six-mile courses with rolling terrain, a dirt bike track, creek and pond crossings, and several obst..
June 2027
Trail races in Old Fort, NC offering a 50k loop, a net downhill half marathon, and a 10k on the Old Fort Gateway trails.
August 2027
Ohana Mud Run in Morganton on August 7, 2027 features a 1 mile course with 16 obstacles, giant sprinklers, a lazy river and extensive mud.