Sun, Apr 11, 2027

Mountains-to-Sea Trail 13M & 50K Challenge

Durham, NC

Opens Dec 14, 2026Annual since at least 2015

Half Marathon50K

Entry is $50 now and rises to $60 after Feb 27, 2027, so registering before then saves $10.

About the Mountains-to-Sea Trail 13M & 50K Challenge

The course runs along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a single-track hiking path winding through the woods beside the Eno River toward Falls Lake. Roots, rocks, quick turns, and logs are constant, and the tree cover makes the route feel far from the city even when it is not.

The race is cupless, so bring your own hydration device. Water and electrolyte drinks are available at aid stations along the route and at the finish. The start is at Riverside High School, and there is food and drink waiting at the end.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2026 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

12 Miles · 2026 results

130finishers

1:31:51winner

2:31:05median

4:21:53cutoff

Top 3: Taylor Healy (1:31:51) · Gabe Sawyer (1:36:40) · Matt Waller (1:36:59)

50K · 2026 results

82finishers

4:25:26winner

6:23:40median

8:31:55cutoff

Top 3: Chance Newton (4:25:26) · Noah Bridges (4:33:32) · John Murray (4:38:37)

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail 13M & 50K Challenge has been held every year since at least 2015. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 12 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

13 Miles4/11/2027 08:30$50

50K4/11/2027 07:00$80

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

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Common Questions About the Mountains-to-Sea Trail 13M & 50K Challenge

Will I finish last at the Mountains-to-Sea Trail 13M & 50K Challenge?

Almost certainly not. Half the 12 Miles field finished slower than 2:31:05, and the last recorded finisher came in around 4:21:53, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Mountains-to-Sea Trail 13M & 50K Challenge a good first 12 Miles?

It is a small race (130 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 12 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Mountains-to-Sea Trail 13M & 50K Challenge?

The 12 Miles winner ran 1:31:51 while the median finisher took 2:31:05. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.