NC Local Trail Races - 2025
Between coaching the local Fleet Feet trails program and chatting up anyone with half an interest in talking about trails (hiiii!), I’ve kept a mental list of popular or well-established local races. For the last two years, I formalized the list (2024 and 2023) and shared it whenever people asked for race recommendations. I want to continue that tradition this year, so here’s the latest list with updated dates for 2025!
I’ve kept a list of local (ish) trail races and major road races for the last two years. These are races that have come up in trail groups and conversations year after year, plus a few others that I’ve found via searching for local beginner-friendly trail options. This list focuses on the greater NC area (basically anything within a few hours’ drive from central NC), mostly trails, with options from 5K up through 100 milers, plus the World Majors and a few popular road races. It’s sorted by date (though you’ll find a few TBD rows — these are races that, at the time I put this list together, hadn’t yet announced the specific 2025 race date) and includes rough location and distances offered at the race.
This list includes many classic and recurring races and a few new races from well-established race directors and series.
One thing to keep in mind is Western North Carolina (WNC) was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. Many races were canceled in 2024 and could also be canceled in 2025. Some of those races are noted explicitly, but please be mindful of this for any trail race in WNC. Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the hurricane, and we continue to assist and rebuild our local communities.
This is by no means a comprehensive list nor an endorsement of any of the races listed here. Rather, it is a list of races I’ve seen pop up on local trail runner race calendars year after year or other local races that offer some variety in distance, terrain, and experience. I hope you find the list helpful! If you sign up for any of these races or have other race recommendations, please let me know in the comments!
| Date | Race | Location | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4/2025 | Salem Lake Frosty Fifty Trail Races | Salem Lake, Winston-Salem | 25K, 50K, 50K relay |
| CANCELLED due to Hurricane Helene damage | South Mountains Marathons | South Mountains State Park, NC | 1/2, Marathon, 50K |
| 1/11/2025 | HAROC | Hanging Rock, Winston-Salem | 50K, 1/2 |
| 1/18/2025 | Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (WTF) | Gibsonville, NC | 5M, 1/2 |
| 1/18/2025 | Rocky Road Half Marathon | Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC | 5K, 10K, 1/2 |
| 1/25/2025 | UGTB Grind'N Trail Run | Harris Lake Park, Raleigh, NC | 10M, 5M |
| 1/26/2025 | Occoneechee Mountain Challenge | Occoneechee Mtn State Park, Hillsborough, NC | 10M |
| 2/1/2025 | Frigid Trail Race & Plunge | Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC | 5K, 10K + polar plunge |
| 2/1/2025 | Uwharrie Mountain Run | Uwharrie National Forest, Mt. Gilead, NC | 8M, 20M, 40M |
| 2/8/2025 | Fellowship of the Idiots | Albemarle, NC | 19.7M |
| Rescheduled to 2/9/2025 | Occoneechee Speedway Relay | Occoneechee Speedway, Hillsborough, NC | 13.5M relay |
| Rescheduled for 2/15/2025 | Little River Trail Run | Little River Regional Park, Chapel Hill/Durham, NC | 7K, 10M |
| 2/15/2025 | Sandhills Trail & Ultra Festival | Columbia, SC | 5M, 25K, 50K, 30hr |
| 2/22/2025 | Pilot Mountain Marathon & 20K | Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle, NC | Marathon, 20K |
| 2/22/2024 | Jordan Lake 20 Miler | Jordan Lake State Park, Apex, NC | 20M, 10M |
| CANCELLED this year due to Hurricane Helene | Black Mountain Marathon/Mt. Mitchell Challenge | Black Mountain/Mt. Mitchell, Camp Grier, NC | Marathon, 40M |
| 3/1/2025 | Umstead Marathon | Umstead State Park, Raleigh, NC | Marathon |
| 3/1/2025 | Catawba Falls 15K | Old Fort, NC | 15K |
| 3/1/2025 | Conquer the Rock | Table Rock State Park South Carolina | 25K, 50K |
| 3/2/2025 | Tokyo Marathon | Tokyo, Japan | Marathon |
| 3/8/2025 | URE (Uwharrie) Marathon | Uwharrie National Park, Mt. Gilead, NC | Marathon |
| 3/8/2025 | Northern Trails | Greensboro, NC | 5M, 10M, 17M |
| 3/8/2025 | MST Endurance | Falls Lake, Raleigh, NC | 10M, 50K, 50M, 100M |
| 3/8/2025 | Sassafras Struggle | Rocky Bottom Retreat, Sunset, SC | 8M |
| 3/15/2025 | Color Me Green | Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC | 5K |
| 3/16/2025 | Tobacco Road | American Tobacco Trail | 1/2, Marathon |
| 3/22/2025 | Zen Squirrel | Briar Chapel, Chapel Hill, NC | 2M, 5M, 10M |
| 3/22/2025 | Dogwood Ultras | Twin Lakes State Park, Green Bay, VA | 10M, 12Hr, 24Hr, 36Hr |
| 3/22/2025 | Mt. Mitchell Heartbreaker | Black Mountain, NC, Camp Grier/Mt. Mitchell, NC | 50M, 55K |
| 3/22/2025 | Blackbeard's Revenge | Corolla, NC | 100K, 100M, 100M Relay |
| 3/29/2025 | Run of the Mill 5K | Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC | 5K |
| 4/4/2025 | Country Mile | Slater-Marietta, SC | 48hr (buckle for 100M) |
| 4/5/2025 | Umstead 100 | Umstead State Park, Raleigh, NC | 50M, 100M |
| 4/5/2025 | New South Trail Marathon | Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC | Half, Marathon |
| 4/11/2025 | Ragnar Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Ragnar Trail Relay |
| 4/12/2025 | Seven Sisters | Montreat, NC | 25K |
| 4/12/2025 | James River Trail Runs | James River State Park, Gladstone, VA | 10M, 50K, 50M, 50M Relay |
| 4/13/2025 | Paris Marathon | Paris, France | Marathon |
| 4/13/2025 | MST 12 Mile & 50K Challenge | Falls Lake, Raleigh, NC | 12M, 50K |
| 4/19/2025 | Tar Heel 10 Miler | Chapel Hill, NC | 4M, 10M |
| 4/19/2025 | Knock on Woodstock | Marietta, SC | 10K, 1/2 |
| 4/21/2025 | Boston Marathon | Boston, MA | Marathon |
| 4/25/2025 | Ragnar Richmond | Richmond, VA | Ragnar Trail Relay |
| 4/26/2025 | Promise Land 50K | Bedford, VA | 50K |
| 4/26/2025 | Owls Roost Rumble | Greensboro, NC | 4M, Half |
| 4/27/2025 | London Marathon | London, UK | Marathon |
| 4/27/2025 | Philosopher's Way | Carolina North Forest, Chapel Hill, NC | 7K, 10M |
| 5/2/2025 | Harepin Hustle | Lake Crabtree, Morrisville, NC | 5K, 10K |
| 5/9/2025 | Hellbender 100 | Mt. Mitchell, Camp Grier, NC | 100M |
| 5/16/2025 | Time Laps | Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC | 24 hr |
| 5/17/2025 | Cedarock Trail Run | Cedarock Park, Burlington, NC | 5K, 10K, 1/2, 1/2 Relay |
| 5/18/2025 | Highball to Thurmond | New River Gorge, WV | 50M (solo/relay), 50K |
| 5/31/2025 | Running of the Bulls | Durham, NC | 8K |
| 6/4/2025 | The Big Run | Hillsborough, NC | 5K |
| 6/7/2025 | Dam Yeti 50 | Damascus, VA | 55K, 50M |
| 6/7/2025 | Ridge to Rails | Old Fort, NC | 50K, Half, 10K |
| 6/14/2025 | Night Train | High Bridge Trail State Park, Farmville, VA | 5K, 1/2, 50K |
| 6/21/2025 | Brew Dash | Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC | 6K, 12K, 1/2 |
| 7/4/2025 | 4 on the Fourth | Carrboro, NC | 4M |
| 7/12/2025 | Carolina Reaper Challenge | Anderson, SC | 10K, Half, Full, 50K, Relay |
| 7/19/2025 | Common Rush Trail Run | Harris Lake County Park, New Hill, NC | 5M, 10M |
| 8/8/2025 | Ragnar Appalachians | Upstate WV | Ragnar Trail Relay |
| 8/23/2025 | Grand-further | Morganton, NC | 25K |
| TBD - Typically late August - But double check status due to Hurricane Helene damage | Iron Mountain | Damascus, VA | 16, 30, 40, 50 miles |
| 9/13/2025 | Sugg Farm Ultra | Bass Lake, Holly Springs, NC | 20M, 40M, 50M |
| 9/13/2025 | Cane Creek Mountain Trail Run | Cane Creek, Snow Camp, NC | 10K, 1/2 |
| 9/13/2025 | Jones Gap Trail Run | Marietta, SC | 9M |
| TBD - Usually mid-late September | Table Rock Ultras | Morganton, NC | 50K, 30K |
| 9/20/2025 | Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock | Winston-Salem, NC | 50M (solo/relay), 50K |
| 9/21/2025 | Berlin Marathon | Berlin, Germany | Marathon |
| 9/26/2025 - But double check status due to Hurricane Helene damage | Yeti 100 | Damascus, VA | 100M |
| 9/27/2025 | Hinson Lake 24 Hour | Hinston Lake, Rockingham, NC | 24 hr |
| 10/5/2025 | Hillsborough Half | Hillsborough, NC | 5K, 1/2 |
| TBD - Usually early October | Carrboro 10K | Carrboro, NC | 10K |
| TBD - Usually early to mid October - But double check status due to Hurricane Helene damage | Cloudsplitter 100 | Norton, VA | 100M |
| 10/12/2025 | Chicago Marathon | Chicago, IL | Marathon |
| TBD - But usually mid-October | Medoc Mountain Race | Medoc Mountain State Park | 10M, 5M |
| 10/18/2025 | Rootrock Trail Run | Briar Chapel, Chapel Hill, NC | 5K, 10K, Half |
| 10/18/2025 | Uwharrie 100 | Uwharrie National Forest, Troy, NC | 50K, 100K, 100M |
| 10/18/2025 | Lake Summit 10 Miler | Lake Summit, Tuxedo, NC | 10M (gravel) |
| 10/19/2025 | Bull City Race Fest | Eno River State Park, Durham, NC | 5M, Half |
| 10/24/2025 | No Business 100 | Pickett CCC Memorial State Park, Jamestown, TN | 100M |
| 10/25/2025 | Rim to River | New River Gorge, WV | 100M |
| 10/25/2025 | Sadlers Creek Stumble | Anderson, SC | 10K, Half, 50K, 32HR |
| 10/25/2025 | Triple Lakes | Greensboro, NC | 1/2, Marathon, Marathon relay, 40M, 40M relay |
| 10/26/2025 | Eno River Run | Durham, NC | 6M, 11M |
| TBD - Usually mid to late October, but double check status due to Hurricane Helene damage | Fonta Flora | Morgaton, NC | 50K, Half |
| TBD - But usually late October | Strides for Speech - Triangle Aphasia Project | Wake Forest, NC | 5K |
| 11/2/2025 | New York Marathon | New York City, NY | Marathon |
| 11/2/2025 | City of Oaks Marathon | Raleigh, NC | 5K, 10K, 1/2, Marathon |
| November 2025 - TBD (see website) | UROC (Ultra Race of Champions) | Shenandoah Valley | 100K, 50K, 25K |
| 11/8/2025 | Prisoner of War Trail Race | Camp Croft State Park, Spartanburg, SC | 8M, 25K, 50K |
| TBD - Usually early November, but double check status due to Hurricane Helene damage | Shut-in Race | Asheville, NC | ~19M |
| TBD - Mid-November | Looking Glass 100K | Pisgah Forest, NC | 100K |
| 11/15/2025 | Richmond Marathon | Richmond, VA | 8K, 1/2, Marathon |
| 11/22/2025 | Chestnut Ridge | Camp Chestnut Ridge, Efland, NC | 4M, 8M |
| 11/27/2025 | Gallop & Gorge 8K | Carrboro, NC | 8K |
| 11/27/2025 | HRC Turkey Trot | Hillsborough, NC | 5K |
| 11/27/2025 | Birds of a Feather Trail Trot | Briar Chapel, Chapel Hill, NC | 2M, 5K |
| 12/6/2025 | Shakori 40 | Shakori Hills, Pittsboro, NC | 4M, 40K, 40M, 40M relay |
| 12/6/2025 | Freight Train | High Bridge Trail State Park, Farmville, VA | Half, 50K, 100K |
| 12/7/2025 | Running of the Elves | Hillsborough, NC | 1M |
| TBD - Usually early to mid December | Race 13.1 | Durham, NC | 1/2 |
| TBD - Usually early to mid December | Nutcracker Endurance Run | Erwin, NC | 3Hr, 6Hr, 12Hr |
| 12/13/2025 | Run at the Rock | Cedarock Park, Burlington, NC | 5K, 10K, Half |
| 12/13/2025 | Beast of the East | Crowders Mountain State Park, NC | 15M, 25M, 50M, 100M |
| 12/20/2025 | The Longest Night | Greenville, SC | Timed loops: 10K, Half, Marathon, 50K, 50M |
| TBD - Usually mid to late December | Pilot Mountain Goat | Pilot Mountain State Park | 3M, 7M |
| 1/3/2026 | Carolina Beach State Park Trail Half | Carolina Beach State Park | 5K, Half |
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Between coaching the local Fleet Feet trails program and chatting up anyone with half an interest in talking about trails (hiiii!), I’ve kept a mental list of popular or well-established local races. For the last two years, I formalized the list (2024 and 2023) and shared it whenever people asked for race recommendations. I want to continue that tradition this year, so here’s the latest list with updated info for 2025!