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!