Race calendar · October 2026

October 2026 Ultra Races in the United States

45 Ultra races across the US in October 2026, sorted by date. Which weekends are busiest, what the fields actually run, entry fees, and where each one starts.

45 Ultra races in October 2026

5K in October10K in OctoberHalf Marathon in OctoberMarathon in October

What the field actually runs

October Ultra Races, By the Numbers

7:30:10Median finish time
5:12:53Median winning time
50Median field size
14October Ultra races with published results

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 Sep 22, 2026.

When in October

The October Race Weekends

Ultra races do not spread evenly across October. The busiest weekend is October 10 and October 11, with 11 of them. Another 9 fall on a weekday.

  1. Oct 3 – Oct 42
  2. Oct 10 – Oct 1111
  3. Oct 17 – Oct 187
  4. Oct 24 – Oct 2510
  5. Oct 31 – Nov 16

By the numbers

The Biggest and Longest-Running

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

Largest field1,761 finishersNationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, Jesse Owens 5K, 1 Mile & Kids Runin the 5KLongest-running3rd year3rd ANNUAL LIGHTHOUSE FOR LIFE 24HR FREEDOM FIGHTannual tradition

October Ultra Races by State

Texas 5New York 4Ohio 4New Jersey 3South Carolina 3Arizona 2California 2Indiana 2North Carolina 2Pennsylvania 2West Virginia 2Wisconsin 2Alabama 1Connecticut 1Florida 1Kentucky 1Michigan 1Mississippi 1Montana 1New Hampshire 1Tennessee 1Utah 1Virginia 1Washington 1

October Ultra Races by City

Greensboro, NC 2Anderson, SC 1Arlington, VA 1Augusta, NJ 1Bastrop, TX 1BAY SHORE, NY 1Bellevue, WA 1Belmont, OH 1Bradenton, FL 1Brooklyn, NY 1Brownstown, IN 1Bruceton Mills, WV 1Canandaigua, NY 1Circleville, WV 1Cleveland, TN 1Columbus, OH 1Emporium, PA 1Englewood, OH 1
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Soonest Ultra Races in October

45 total
Thu, Oct 1, 2026NJ Trail Series One Day Augusta, NJ1 Mile50KMarathonFrom $200Details Thu, Oct 1, 2026BMT STEPS 2 GREATNESS CHALLENGE FALL 2026 Brooklyn, NY200 MilesFrom $5Details Thu, Oct 1, 2026IronHike Mohawk Mountain Fall Series 2026 Mohawk Mtn Ski Area, Cornwall, CT29 Miles100 Miles15 Miles28.75 MilesFrom $180Details Thu, Oct 1, 2026HELP in Motion Trail Run Sturgeon Bay, WI110KFrom $40Details Sat, Oct 3, 2026Whitefish Trail Blazer Whitefish, MT50KHalf Marathon6.8 Miles3.4 MilesFrom $30Details Sat, Oct 3, 2026RAF Trail Race Series Bruceton Mills, WV50K25K10K5KFrom $20Details Fri, Oct 9, 2026West Virginia Trilogy Circleville, WV94.1 Miles50K50 MilesHalf MarathonFrom $45Details Fri, Oct 9, 2026Point to Point NJ Sussex, NJ200 Miles50KFrom $125Details Sat, Oct 10, 2026CanLake Ultras Canandaigua, NY50 Miles50K15 MilesFrom $120Details Sat, Oct 10, 2026Midstate Massive Ultra Trail New Ipswich, NH100 Miles50 Miles30 MilesRegistration opens Sep 29FreeDetails Sat, Oct 10, 2026Oil Creek 100 Trail Runs Titusville, PA25K50K100K100 MilesFrom $100Details Sat, Oct 10, 2026Ruth Anderson Memorial Endurance Run San Francisco, CA50K50 Miles4.5 MilesFreeDetails

Common Questions About Running an October Ultra

Is October a good month for an Ultra?

It is the fullest month of the year for the Ultra. October carries 45 of them, more than any other month, so you get the widest choice of dates, locations and course types without having to travel far for one.

When in October are most Ultra races held?

The busiest weekend is October 10 and October 11, with 11 Ultra races on those two days, and the single busiest day is Saturday, October 10 with 10. Another 9 fall on a weekday, which is worth knowing if you are traveling for one.

When should I sign up for an October Ultra?

As early as you can. 7 of these October Ultra races already have a price increase on the calendar, and 43 are open for entry right now. Another 2 have published an opening date and have not opened yet.

How much does an October Ultra cost to enter?

The typical entry is $45, with paid entries running from $5 up to $200, and 4 that are free to enter. Entry fees climb as race day gets closer, so the same race is usually cheapest the week it opens.

What is a good Ultra time?

Across the 14 of these October Ultra races with published results from past editions, the median finisher ran 7:30:10, and the median winning time was 5:12:53. So anything under 7:30:10 puts you in the faster half of a typical field. That is the middle of these RunSignup fields, walkers and charity entrants included, not a national average.

How big is a typical October Ultra field?

The median one finished 50 runners, across the 14 of these October Ultra races with published results from past editions. Most are far smaller than the big-city events people picture, which means less crowding at the start and a friendlier field, with a last recorded finisher at 10:44:55.

Which states have the most October Ultra races?

Texas has 5, New York has 4, Ohio has 4, New Jersey has 3, South Carolina has 3. If you are willing to travel, those are the states where an October weekend gives you the most to choose from.

Are there trail Ultra races in October?

Yes, 28 races around the United States get you off the pavement: 25 are trail races, and 3 mix road and trail. Surfaces are not always published, so it is worth checking a specific race before you register.

Ultra Races in Other Months

September and November sit either side of October, which is where most people look next when a date does not fit.

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