North Carolina
North Carolina Trail Running Calendar 2026-2027
Explore the best trail runs in North Carolina for 2026-2027! Our updated list features 173 exciting trail runs across the region. Find your next trail run in North Carolina below and join the trail community at these great events!
April 2027
A technical mountain trail race in the Montreat Wilderness covering about 14.5 miles and 4,000 feet of ascent with steep, rocky singletrack.
A 5K trail run at Fort Macon in Atlantic Beach supporting OWLS Wildlife Center, with wooded and coastal views and a race shirt included with registration.
A 31 mile point to point trail ultra from Crowders Mountain State Park to Kings Mountain State Park with aid stations, an 11 hour cutoff, shuttle service and awards.
Community 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run at Jennings Park in Statesville on April 24, 2027 with marked trails, family activities, and food trucks.
A community 5K at McAlpine Creek Park with timed, non-timed, and virtual options supporting Water For People’s international water and sanitation work.
Trail races and self timed options on the Philosopher's Way course in Carolina North Forest near Chapel Hill NC, offered at 10 mile and 7 kilometer distances.
A team relay across western North Carolina covering about 208 miles from Brevard to Bryson City with 36 legs for six, nine or twelve person teams.
Beach races on North Topsail Beach include a half marathon, 10K and a Friday sunset 5K with virtual options and proceeds benefiting combat veterans.
May 2027
A two-day Spartan obstacle race weekend at McCormick Farms, May 1-2, 2027, offering Sprint, Super, Beast, Ultra and Kids races across forest, quarry and riverbank terrain.
May 7, 2027 in Old Fort NC, a 100 mile mountain trail race to Mt Mitchell with about 48,000 feet of elevation change, strict gear rules and qualification requirements.
A charity distance festival in Cary, NC on May 8, 2027 offering in-person and virtual 8K, 5K, and 1-mile events with awards, medals, and a vendor expo.
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..
A community 5K obstacle course and family fun day in Rocky Mount raising scholarship funds, featuring a mud pit, 15+ obstacles, and a kid’s 1-mile race.
Trail running event in Burnsville NC on May 15 and 16 2027 offering point to point 50K, 25K and 11K routes with major climbs and significant elevation gain.
A trail event featuring 20K individual and relay races, Beer Mile and short mile races, with optional beer laps offering time deductions.
A 24 hour endurance walk at Cliffs of the Neuse supporting first responders, with multiple timed categories, camping for longer events, aid stations, and a marked 4 mile trail.
A 24 hour trail-running relay in Charlotte where teams score points by completing laps of varying difficulty, with camping, included meals, and bonus challenges.
Trail event in Lowell, NC on May 22, 2027 with 50K, 25K and 5K options on a repeated 3-mile loop featuring steep climbs and marked aid stations.
Panther Prowl 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run at Northside High School in Pinetown NC, a scenic community trail event supporting the school track and cross country programs.