North Carolina · Race calendar

2026-2027 Running Races in North Carolina

Every upcoming running race in North Carolina, all 650 of them. 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and marathons with dates, pricing, finish-time stats from past results, and start-line maps.

650 upcoming races · 410 with finish-time stats

5K Races 54710K Races 166Half Marathons 162Marathons 24Ultramarathons 13
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By the numbers

The Biggest and Longest-Running

The North Carolina races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.

Largest field2,769 finishersTrophy Trot 5kin the 5KLongest-running44th yearForum Fitness 44th Annual Winter Flight 8K & 5Kannual tradition

Races by City in North Carolina

Apex 5Asheville 8Boone 7Cary 18Chapel Hill 8Charlotte 46Clayton 5Concord 23Durham 17Fayetteville 9Goldsboro 8Greensboro 18Greenville 15Hickory 14Holly Springs 13Jacksonville 9New Bern 8Raleigh 40Rocky Mount 13Salisbury 8Statesville 21Wilmington 25Winston Salem 14Winston-Salem 32

Holiday Races in North Carolina

Halloween 5Ks and Races in North Carolina 2026 10Turkey Trots in North Carolina 2026 88Christmas 5Ks and Races in North Carolina 2026 53New Year's 5Ks and Races in North Carolina 2027 8

North Carolina Races by Month

October 2026

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

July 2027

August 2027

September 2027

Soonest Races in North Carolina

650 total
Sun, Aug 2, 2026Fall 2026 Adult Full & Half Marathon Training Evening Apex, NCMarathonHalf MarathonFrom $85Details Sun, Aug 2, 2026Fall 2026 Adult Full & Half Marathon Training Morning Apex, NCMarathonHalf MarathonFrom $85Details Sun, Aug 2, 2026Fall 2026 Adult Full & Half Marathon Holly Springs, NCMarathonHalf MarathonFrom $85Details Thu, Aug 27, 2026Hickory Foundation YMCA Turkey Trot Training Group Hickory, NC10KRegistration closedFreeDetails Sun, Aug 30, 2026Fall 2026 Adult Run + Strength Cary, NCFrom $75Details Sun, Sep 13, 2026Fall 2026 Kids Fun Run & 3K Holly Springs, NCFrom $65Details Tue, Sep 15, 2026Fall Half Marathon Training 2026 Winston-Salem, NCFrom $110Details Sun, Sep 27, 2026Healthy Kids Running Series Fall 2026 - Asheville, NC Mills River, NCFrom $45Details Thu, Oct 1, 2026Craven Moves: October Run & Walk New Bern, NC5K1 MileRegistration closedFreeDetails Sun, Oct 4, 2026Healthy Kids Running Series Fall 2026 Fayetteville, NCFrom $45Details Sun, Oct 11, 2026Healthy Kids Running Series Fall 2026 - Wilmington, NC Wilmington, NCFrom $50Details Sun, Oct 11, 2026Healthy Kids Running Series Fall 2026 - Lake Norman, NC Huntersville, NCFrom $50Details

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 Oct 25, 2026.

Common Questions About Racing in North Carolina

Which North Carolina cities have the most races?

Charlotte (46), Raleigh (40), Winston-Salem (32), Wilmington (25) have the most upcoming races in North Carolina. If you are willing to travel an hour or two, those give you the widest choice of dates and distances.

What race distances can I run in North Carolina?

North Carolina has 5K (547), 10K (166), Half Marathon (162), Marathon (24), Ultra (13). Pick a distance to narrow the list to races you would actually enter.

When is race season in North Carolina?

November is the busiest month for races in North Carolina, with 179 of the 650, followed by December with 75. If you are flexible on the date, that is the quickest way to narrow things down.

Are North Carolina races beginner-friendly?

Yes, for the most part. Across the 410 races in North Carolina with published results, the typical median finish is around 35:47, which means half of every one of those fields came in slower than that. Recreational runners and walk-runners are the bulk of these fields, not the exception.

Are there trail races in North Carolina?

Yes, 24 races around North Carolina get you off the pavement: 13 are trail races, and 11 mix road and trail.