This is how South Asheville does Turkey Day! Kick off Thanksgiving morning with a relaxed 5K through the beautiful Biltmore Park neighborhood – where the vibes are festive, the shirts are vintage-cool, and the finisher medals are worth the effort! Whether you’re running, walking, or just trotting it out for the pie, this event is for everyone.
Awards for festive costumes and top finishers in each age group!
The 12th Annual Trick or Trail 5k & 1 Mile presented by Aetna returns to the heart of Hendersonville in 2026.
Get ready for spooky fun at the 12th Annual Trick or Trail 5k & 1 Mile, presented by Aetna! This Halloween-themed race starts and ends in Hendersonville’s Historic 7th Avenue District.
After your run (or walk!), head over to the Fall Festival at the Farmers’ Market for costumes, treats, and tons of festive vibes. Costumes encouraged, fun guaranteed! Come ready to spook, sprint, and snack your way through this ghoulishly good time.
Costumes are highly encouraged, and prizes will be given out for the best ones.
The TreeTops Trail Race benefiting Friends of DuPont Forest throws 8.5 miles of rugged DuPont State Forest at you — and you’re gonna love it. It’s challenging, it’s wild, and it’s absolutely worth every gritty step. Think sharp climbs, fast drops, and singletrack that demands your focus. No crowds. No concrete. Just you, the trail, and a shot at something real. New to trails? Perfect. Already a trail junkie? Even better. Bonus: it all supports Friends of DuPont Forest, so you’re running for more than just yourself.
Join us for the 7th Annual Black Bear Half Marathon and 8k presented by Hunter Subaru!
The Black Bear Half Marathon & 8k is an exciting fall event that beckons both seasoned athletes and recreational runners alike. Nestled within the charm and beauty of Hendersonville, North Carolina, this race offers participants a unique opportunity to challenge their limits while immersing themselves in the splendor of the autumn season. Whether conquering the half marathon’s 13.1-mile stretch or embracing the spirited atmosphere of the 8k, participants love supportive community vibe, scenic course, and post-race festivities.
Both courses are USATF Sanctioned and Certified.
Ready, Set… WOOF! 🐾
Join us at Patton Park on Saturday, August 1 for the 4th Annual Bark & Bolt Races, presented by Hunter Subaru, in Hendersonville.
This family and pup-friendly morning celebration features something for everyone — two-legged and four-legged alike.
Choose from the Bark & Bolt 5K or One Mile, and have the option to join in the crowd-favorite 100-Meter Paw Pursuit. New for 2026, all registered participants will earn a Bark & Bolt finisher medal, making this year’s event extra special!
After the races, stick around for the Top Dog Contest and Bark in the Park Dog Fair, featuring local, pet-friendly vendors and community partners.
We’re proud to partner with Blue Ridge Humane Society, helping support rescue efforts and connect more pups with loving homes.
New & Noteworthy for 2026:
New! Official Bark & Bolt Finisher Medal
Youth pricing available: $25 early/$30 late
Youth-sized race tee options
New! Bike Corral option — ride your bike to the event and earn a fun thank-you incentive!
Whether you’re running with your dog, walking with family, or cheering from the sidelines, Bark & Bolt is all about community, connection, and celebrating our love for dogs. Come make a morning of it — and help us make tails wag all across Hendersonville.
Join us Sunday, August 9th, 2026 for the Inaugural Kanuga Triathlon in Hendersonville!
Kanuga Triathlon is a new sprint-distance triathlon in Western North Carolina designed to be welcoming, scenic, and memorable. Featuring a time-trial swim start in Kanuga Lake, a mixed-surface bike course, and a fast 5K run, this destination race meets athletes where they are. Whether it’s your first triathlon or your next challenge, Kanuga invites you to race in a way that feels intentional, welcoming, and uniquely WNC.
Kanuga Trail & Tri Weekend Challenge!
Make a full weekend of it and participate in both the Twilight Trail 5K at Kanuga, Saturday, August 8th, and the Kanuga Triathlon, Sunday, August 9th! Weekend Challenge participants receive finisher medals for both events, along with special recognition celebrating their commitment and versatility across the weekend, and will also be awarded a Nomadix-style performance towel!
We’re excited to present the Twilight Trail 5k at Kanuga, Saturday, August 8th, 2026!
The Twilight Trail 5K is a golden-hour trail race at the Kanuga Conference Center designed to welcome runners of all abilities. Featuring a thoughtfully designed 5K course with mixed surfaces and gentle elevation changes, this event offers an approachable introduction to trail running while remaining engaging for experienced trail runners.
You’re invited to come just for the trail race or make a full weekend of it at Kanuga. After the finish, runners can enjoy healthy food, relax by a bonfire (weather permitting), and spend the evening connecting with others in a laid-back, community-forward environment.
Experience the 6th Annual Jump Off Rock Half Marathon & 10K, presented by Hunter Subaru and UNC Health Pardee. This springtime race offers a scenic and fast course that winds through some of the most beautiful areas of Hendersonville.
The Half Marathon starts at the iconic Jump Off Rock in Laurel Park, with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and colorful spring blooms. Runners then follow a gently downhill, USATF-certified course into the heart of downtown Hendersonville—known as one of the most picturesque half marathons in the Southeast.
The 10K begins at the Hendersonville Family YMCA and joins the half marathon route partway through. This course is mostly flat with a few gentle rollers, making it great for all abilities.
Both races finish on Main Street in Historic Downtown Hendersonville, where runners will be welcomed with lively finish line festivities and small-town charm.
Come see why this race is more than just a run—it’s a visual journey and a community celebration.
Both races are USATF Sanctioned AND Certified!
Join on April 25 for the Firefly Trail Run! You will be in awe of the beauty of this course and venue. You’ll run a ~3 mile trail loop continuously for 6 or 12 hours passing by a spectacular waterfall, mountain creeks and a run through the vintage event barn every lap. Each loop boasts 400+ feet of elevation gain, it’s a good thing this course is so beautiful to distract you from the challenges of the ups and downs of this impressive single-track!
​The timed race format has many desirable advantages. You don’t have to commit to finish a specific distance, all levels welcome. To receive a finishers gift you must start the race and run/hike at least one loop! It’s also an ideal format to see what you can do in 6 hours and 12 hours! The loop format gives you many opportunities to see other runners and run past the aid station often. You won’t have to carry a ton of gear, fuel or hydration since you’ll never be too far away. The 5k course is one loop. Cost ranges from $35 – $135.
The race course and venue are all on private property and is reserved for us race weekend. The property is incredibly beautiful and perfect for a gathering, such as an ultra running event.
Camping and onsite lodging available through Wag Valley Farm.
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Join for Main2Main on April 19th. This Walk & Roll is the first official community event on the Ecusta Trail, celebrating a major milestone in the trail’s journey.
Choose from a 1-mile, 5K, or out-and-back route, with staggered waves for walkers, runners, cyclists, and rollers. The event starts and ends at the Henderson County Welcome Center and wraps up with a community celebration hosted by Boodas Brewery.
Registration includes an event shirt (while supplies last, for a limited time), bib, beer ticket (age 21+), and trail-supporter swag. All proceeds benefit Friends of Ecusta Trail and help support the trail’s continued growth.
Main2Main is designed to become an annual tradition—bringing neighbors together and celebrating the momentum behind the Ecusta Trail.
Click here to register: https://bit.ly/main2main
Prices increase on March 1, April 1 and before the event to sign up today.
Get ready to rise up at the 3rd Annual She Slays 5K, happening Saturday, April 25, 2026, in partnership with Pardee Hospital Foundation’s Women Helping Women and Hunter Subaru!
This empowering event celebrates the strength, courage, and unstoppable spirit of women—encouraging each of us to take charge of our health and lift one another up. Every step you take supports local women in Hendersonville fighting cancer.
Whether you run, walk, or dance your way across the finish line, you’ll be part of something bigger—women helping women, slaying together, and making a real difference.
Everyone is welcome to join the movement!
Want to avoid the winter blues? Get motivated with the 34th Annual Frostbite Races presented by Hunter Subaru!
Join the largest winter footrace in Henderson County for a fun-filled afternoon of running and family-friendly activities. Choose from a 10K, 5K run/walk, or a flat and fast 1-mile un-timed Fun Run – perfect for runners of all ages and abilities. Join us at the Lelia Patterson Center in Fletcher, NC for a day of fitness, fun, and frosty festivities. Register now and gear up for the coolest race of the year!
The 5K Course begins in front of City Hall at Fifth Avenue East and King Street, travels through downtown, and ends back at City Hall.
Costumes are highly encouraged and we have prizes for the best ones! Award Categories include Best-Dressed Kids Costume, Best-Dressed Individual, Best-Dressed Friends/Family, Best-Dressed Pet, Most Original Costume, and ‘We can’t believe you ran in that costume!’
The Black Bear Half Marathon & 8k presented by Hunter Subaru is an exhilarating fall event that beckons both seasoned athletes and recreational runners alike. Nestled within the charm and beauty of Hendersonville, North Carolina, this race offers participants a unique opportunity to challenge their limits while immersing themselves in the splendor of the autumn season. Whether conquering the half marathon’s 13.1-mile stretch or embracing the spirited atmosphere of the 8k, participants love supportive community vibe, scenic course, and post-race festivities.
The Black Bear Half Marathon & 8k presented by Hunter Subaru is an exhilarating fall event that beckons both seasoned athletes and recreational runners alike. Nestled within the charm and beauty of Hendersonville, North Carolina, this race offers participants a unique opportunity to challenge their limits while immersing themselves in the splendor of the autumn season. Whether conquering the half marathon’s 13.1-mile stretch or embracing the spirited atmosphere of the 8k, participants love supportive community vibe, scenic course, and post-race festivities.
The race takes participants on a scenic journey through the heart of Hendersonville. They will experience a mix of scenic vistas, forested trails, and rolling hills, making it a truly immersive and rewarding running experience. Both courses start and end in Jackson Park and follow paved roads and forested greenways. There will be 2 water stations providing Gatorade, water, energy gels and Jambars. With less than 400 feet of elevation gain, each course is relatively flat.
Join on October 18 at 9am for the Tree Tops Trail Race at DuPont State Recreational Forest benefiting Friends of DuPont Forest. This race throws 8.5 miles of rugged DuPont State Forest at you — and you’re gonna love it. It’s challenging, it’s wild, and it’s absolutely worth every gritty step. Think sharp climbs, fast drops, and singletrack that demands your focus. No crowds. No concrete. Just you, the trail, and a shot at something real. New to trails? Perfect. Already a trail junkie? Even better. Bonus: it all supports Friends of DuPont Forest, so you’re running for more than just yourself.
The course offers a unique opportunity to elevate your fitness among the rolling hills and towering trees that make up this beautiful forest. The 8.5-mile course is a trail runners dream. With nearly 1,000 feet of elevation gain, it’s a challenging endurance route taking you through the most beautiful parts of the forest. The course will have 2 water stations.
Why you’ll love this race:
-The only trail race opportunity offered in the DuPont State Forest
-Register before September 21st and get a FREE sweatshirt! Shirts are available for purchase, too!
-Awards for overall and age group winners
-Professional chip-timed event
-A well-marked course with GPS route available
-DuPont Forest Festivities following the race
Register here: https://idaph.net/treetops-trail-race/
