Endurance Grid lists 36 trail running races in North Carolina, from August 2026 to June 2027 across 24 cities.
The lay of the land
The trail running race calendar in North Carolina is busiest in October, November, and January, with races most often in Chapel Hill, Durham, Cary, and Fayetteville.
Trail running takes the sport off the pavement and onto dirt trails, singletrack, fire roads, and mountain paths. It’s quieter than a road race. Depending on the course, you might spend long stretches alone with the woods and your own breathing.
If you already run roads, trails are a natural next step, but they ask for different things: power on the climbs, control on the descents, and attention to every footfall. There’s a distance for every level, from a rolling trail 5K to 100-mile mountain ultras.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Endurance races in North Carolina happening in the next 7 days, in date order. Browse what’s coming up and sign up soon.