Running Races in North Carolina
North Carolina has 483 upcoming running races scheduled for 2026. The calendar runs year-round — busiest in June, September, and October, quietest in January through March. No single city dominates the calendar. Charlotte leads with 41 races, followed by Raleigh (24), Winston-Salem (23), and Wilmington (22). The remaining 77% of the calendar is spread across smaller cities.
Running races by month in North Carolina
Oct (83) · Jun (78) · Sep (67) · Nov (67) · Aug (56) · Jul (49) · Dec (31) · May (27) · Feb (9) · Jan (8) · Mar (8)
Showing 24 of 483
Running
Summer 2026 Kids Speed & Conditioning Wednesdays - Apex
May 27, 2026
Holly Springs, NC
Top Cities for Running Races in North Carolina
Running Races in Nearby States
Frequently asked questions
How do I find running races near me?▾
Enter your zip code on RACE or use the location-based pages at /marathons-near-me, /half-marathons-near-me, /10k-near-me, or /5k-near-me. We show every upcoming running event within your selected radius, sorted by distance from you.
What's the most popular running distance in the US?▾
By a wide margin, the 5K. The half marathon is the most popular distance over 10 miles. Each distance has its own hub on RACE — /5k-races, /10k-races, /half-marathons, /marathons — with live event counts and state-by-state breakdowns.
When is running race season in the US?▾
June is the single busiest month for running events. The June–October stretch carries roughly 70% of the year’s running calendar. December through March is the quietest period — most regions don’t publish next year’s spring races until late winter, so the calendar grows back as race directors finalize dates.
Which states have the most running races?▾
Ohio, Florida, Texas, Michigan, and California lead the country in upcoming running event volume. Every state hosts dozens of upcoming races — including smaller states like Wyoming, Vermont, and North Dakota. The "Browse by state" grid on this page links to a dedicated running hub for every state.
How do I register for a running race?▾
For RACE-native events, you can register and pay on this site. For events hosted on external platforms (RunSignUp, RaceRoster, and similar), we link you directly to the official registration page. Either way, you find the race here.