Set in idyllic places with cooler weather, these great fall trail running events have races shorter than 20 miles.
I have always loved trail running in the fall. Cool morning temperatures have replaced the heat of summer and the trails have started to take on new colors, creating an entirely different atmosphere from the one you experienced just a few months earlier.
Whether you’re looking for a challenging half marathon to tune up for a road marathon, a fun 10-miler in a unique location or something closer to 20 miles, fall trail racing offers a great way to stay motivated while enjoying some of the best conditions of the year.
Each of the following events offer races of 20 miles or shorter in October and November. They range from technical mountain courses and rocky forest trails to smooth singletrack, desert landscapes and community-oriented races at parks and preserves, giving runners plenty of ways to roll into the holiday season with a little adventure and a lot of time on the trails.
RELATED: 21 Great Trail Marathon Races to Run This Fall
Arches Marathon and Half
Oct. 3, Moab, Utah
13.1 miles, 15K, 26.2 miles, 50K
The Arches Marathon and Half offers a distinctly Southwestern take on great fall trail running. Starting near the Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area, the courses travel across sandy doubletrack, jeep roads and desert trails with views of the La Sal Mountains, sandstone formations and canyon country. Cooler October temperatures make this one of the more appealing times of year to run in Moab, and the event has become a fixture on the fall trail calendar.
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Mountain Tiger Diablo
Oct. 10, Clayton, California
12.4 miles
The enterprising crew behind the mid-July Mountain Tiger Donner Summit trail race near Truckee is adding a new race with similar vertical vibes at Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County near Clayton. Like the original race, Mountain Tiger Diablo is a 12.4-mile race with a lot of climbing and descending aimed to keep things zesty. Runners go straight up to the summit of Mount Diablo by way of Eagle Peak and Bald Ridge Trail, covering 4,000 feet in just over 6 miles. From the top, runners descend back down to Mitchell Canyon on a mix of fire roads and singletrack trails before crossing the finish line back at Mitchell Canyon.
The event also includes a Suunto Downhill Mile Challenge, in which the runners who descend Prospector’s Gap Road the fastest will earn a new Suunto Race 2 watch. (The steepest part of that section is graded almost 20 percent, dropping 795 feet in ¾ of a mile!) Registration includes a cool Fractel x Mountain Tiger hat, plus tattoo artists Brian Hutflies and Steven Sessler will be on hand giving free tattoos to anyone who wants one. (Yes, permanent tattoos! More than 100 tattoos given at this year’s Donner Summit race.) Mountain Tiger has programming to increase the number of women and non-binary runners at its start line, and launched a free program called Team Saber Tooth this summer with free weekly group runs.
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Sunset & Cider Runs
Oct. 10, Auburn, California
5 miles, 13 miles, 50K
The Sunset & Cider Trail Races bring runners to Auburn for an evening of trail racing and fall fun in the American River Canyon. Participants can choose three distances that showcase the area’s rugged terrain, rolling canyon trails and expansive Northern California scenery. Auburn-based Bad Luck Run Club puts a strong emphasis on creating a welcoming, community-oriented event rather than making the day solely about racing. Once the running is finished, the celebration continues at Ponderosa Cider Company, where cider, music and a commemorative glass give runners a relaxed way to cap the evening.
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Broken Rock Trail Runs
Oct. 10, Dodgeville, Wisconsin
10 miles, 20 miles, 50K
Set in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, Broken Rock delivers a much hillier and more rugged experience than the state’s reputation might suggest. The course combines technical trail and mixed terrain with sweeping views from the surrounding bluffs, culminating in the signature Broken Rock Trail climb near the finish. The 20-mile option hits a nice sweet spot for runners who want an ultra-style challenge without committing to a 50K.
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Blue Ridge Ultra
Oct. 10, Blue Ridge, Georgia
15K, 30K, 50K
The Blue Ridge Ultra is tucked into the Chattahoochee National Forest and embraces the arrival of fall in the North Georgia mountains. The courses feature singletrack, creek crossings, steep climbs and descents, plus sections of the Benton MacKaye Trail, with the changing leaves adding plenty of seasonal color. The race finishes near the historic Shallowford iron bridge over the Toccoa River and emphasizes music, food and a welcoming post-race atmosphere.
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Long Hunter Trail Runs
Oct. 10, Hermitage, Tennessee
13.1 miles
Held just outside Nashville, the Long Hunter Trail Runs explore the wooded trails surrounding Couchville Lake in Long Hunter State Park. The half marathon combines lakeside trails with the Bryant Grove and Inland trails, while the start and finish area sits in an open field where deer and turkeys are often part of the scenery. It’s a relatively accessible way to experience Tennessee trail running without heading deep into the mountains.
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The Trout Brook
Oct. 10, Hudson, Wisconsin
10 Miles
The Trout Brook 10 Miler heads into the less-traveled corners of Willow River State Park, replacing broad park paths with tighter singletrack. Runners encounter hills, a stair climb and enough technical terrain to make the race feel substantially more adventurous than its 10-mile distance suggests. The payoff is a waterfall, changing fall scenery and a course designed for runners who enjoy getting off the beaten path.
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Von Trapp Mountain Marathon
Oct. 17, Stowe, Vermont
13.1 miles, 26.2 miles
The von Trapp Mountain Marathon brings runners into the Green Mountains for a challenging autumn trail weekend in Stowe. This is a very good example of great fall trail running in Vermont. The half marathon climbs roughly 1,900 feet over a mix of dirt roads and rugged singletrack, including a steep push up Round Top Mountain, while marathoners tackle the loop twice. Fall foliage, expansive views of Mount Mansfield and the welcoming atmosphere of the von Trapp property give the race a strong destination-event feel.
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Soul Crusher
Oct. 17, Crystal Lake, Illinois
5 miles, 10 miles
Illinois has great fall trail running? You bet! The Soul Crusher brings a Halloween-season twist to trail racing in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, sending runners onto the wooded paths of Veteran Acres and Sternes Woods. The roughly 5-mile loop combines gently rolling ground with narrow forest singletrack and a few unexpected features that keep the course interesting from start to finish. The event has a strong sense of humor and embraces the spirit of the season, with spooky touches and plenty of personality built into the race experience. Costumes, themed awards and a relaxed approach to competition make it a fun choice for runners looking for a festive way to spend an October morning on the trails.
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Lake Murray Endurance Run
Oct. 24, Lake Murray State Park, Oklahoma
5 miles, 25K, 50K, 100K, 100 miles
The Lake Murray Endurance Run takes place in the expansive Lake Murray State Park, where more than 30 miles of trails wind through forested, rolling terrain around the lake. The event offers everything from a 5-mile race to 25K, 50K, 100K and 100-mile distances, giving runners plenty of options to match their goals. The shorter courses still deliver a genuine trail experience, with a mix of smoother sections, rocks, roots and moderate hills. Organized by Blaze Trails Running, the race has an old-school, well-supported trail-running feel that makes it appealing for both first-time trail racers and experienced ultrarunners.
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Georgia Sky to Summit
Oct. 24–25, Sky Valley, Georgia
25K, 50K
Georgia Sky to Summit is almost tailor-made for a fall trail-running getaway, with peak foliage, waterfalls and mountain views throughout the course. The 25K climbs toward Rabun Bald, the second-highest point in Georgia, gaining about 3,500 feet while taking runners through the mountains surrounding Sky Valley. The combination of scenery, challenging descents and a festive race atmosphere makes it a standout Southern Appalachian fall experience.
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Beware the Bear Trail Races
Oct. 25, Lakewood, Colorado
5K, 15K, 1K Kid’s Race
The Beware the Bear Trail Races bring a festive fall race day to Bear Creek Lake Park in Lakewood, with routes that mix dirt paths, rolling hills and modest climbs. The lineup includes a 5K, 15K, a combined 5K-and-15K challenge and a kids’ 1K, so runners of different ages and abilities can take part. With breakfast, race-day extras and an easygoing community atmosphere, the event is a fun way to spend an October morning on the trails.
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Moreau Half
Oct. 31, Gansevoort, New York
13.1 miles
The Moreau Half is a rugged Halloween-season trail race through Moreau Lake State Park in the foothills of the Adirondacks. The roughly 14-mile course packs about 2,700 feet of climbing into winding, technical singletrack, making it substantially more demanding than a typical road half marathon. Runners start and finish near the park’s beach and encounter a mix of wooded trails, rocky footing and sustained climbs along the park’s interconnected trail system. Organized by Mountain Dog Running, the event has a challenging, no-frills trail-racing character that appeals to runners looking for a serious late-season test amid classic upstate New York scenery.
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Wild Florida Trail Run
Nov. 7, White Springs, Florida
10K, 25K, 50K
Wild Florida offers a very different version of great fall trail running, following trails along the Suwannee River beneath enormous live oaks and through North Florida’s lush forests. The 25K is a point-to-point course that finishes at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, with the surrounding cypress and hardwood forests providing a distinctly Southern atmosphere. The event also supports the Florida Trail Association, making trail stewardship an important part of its identity.
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Tiadaghton Trail Challenge
Nov. 14, Waterville, Pennsylvania
13.1 miles, 10K
The Tiadaghton Trail Challenge explores the Pine Creek Valley in Pennsylvania’s Wilds, where technical trails and steep climbs are balanced by some spectacular scenery. The course includes rocky and moss-covered trails, dark hemlock and oak forests, trout streams and small waterfalls. With stocked aid stations and a community-oriented race setup, it captures the rugged, intimate feel of East Coast trail running.
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Louisville Trail Race
Nov. 14, Louisville, Colorado
5K, 10K, 13.1 miles
The Louisville Trail Race is a quintessential Front Range community event, with the Flatirons providing a dramatic backdrop throughout the morning. Its half marathon is about 90 percent dirt trail, with modest elevation gain and a pair of climbs that provide bigger mountain views late in the course. With multiple distances and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s an easy race to turn into a relaxed fall weekend outing.
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Cathedral Caverns Trail Run
Nov. 14, Woodville, Alabama
5K, 15K
Cathedral Caverns is one of those places that offers something you simply don’t encounter at most trail events: a section of the course actually runs through a cave. The race starts in a scenic valley surrounded by mountains and fields before the final 1.2 miles of the 15K heads into Cathedral Caverns on a wide, illuminated out-and-back section. A glow stick marks the turnaround, adding a little adventure to an otherwise approachable trail race. With both 5K and 15K options, it’s designed to be welcoming to newer trail runners while still providing a memorable outing for experienced racers.
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Dead Horse Ultra
Nov. 14, Moab, Utah
15K, 30K, 50K, 50 miles
November is arguably one of the best times to experience the desert around Moab, and the shorter distances at the Dead Horse Ultra let runners sample some spectacular terrain without committing to a 50K or 50-miler. The 15K and 30K courses travel through the Magnificent Seven trail system, with technical slickrock, rugged climbs and huge views of Arches National Park, the La Sal Mountains and Moab Valley. The Gemini Bridges and Bull Run sections provide particularly dramatic scenery, with the course repeatedly trading runnable trail for rocky, technical terrain. It’s a quintessential Moab trail-running experience compressed into a manageable fall race distance.
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Rise El Taco Loco
Nov. 14, San Antonio, Texas
5K, 10K, 25K, 50K, 100K, 100 miles
Rise El Taco Loco brings a festive, distinctly Texas personality to trail racing at the Land Heritage Institute south of San Antonio. The courses use mostly singletrack with soft footing and sections of loose gravel, winding through open meadows and along the Medina River. With distances ranging from a 5K to 100 miles, the event can accommodate everyone from casual trail runners to ultramarathoners, while full aid stations, volunteer support and a 500-runner cap keep the atmosphere relatively intimate. The finishing touch is the event’s taco theme: finishers receive a custom medal or buckle designed to hold a taco, making the post-race reward part of the fun.
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Tarrywile Half Marathon
Nov. 15, Danbury, Connecticut
10K, 13.1 miles, 26.2 miles
The Tarrywile Half Marathon is a classic New England fall trail race, with rocky, rooty singletrack and more than 3,000 feet of elevation gain over two loops. The course climbs and descends through Tarrywile Park, offering views across Danbury as well as glimpses of the park’s lakes and wooded landscape. It’s considerably more rugged than a typical road half marathon, and the race organizers embrace that challenge rather than trying to make it artificially fast. The post-race atmosphere includes a substantial food spread and a chance to hang around and cheer for other runners finishing their own battle with the hills.
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Tupelo Trail Shuffle
Nov. 21, Belden, Mississippi
10K, 20K
The Tupelo Trail Shuffle is timed perfectly for peak fall foliage in northern Mississippi, with the race taking place on the trails of Trace State Park. The mostly singletrack course winds through hardwood forests and old-growth pines, with portions following the shoreline of Trace State Lake. The 20K provides enough distance to feel like a substantial trail adventure without turning the day into an ultra, while the 10K makes the event accessible to a broader range of runners. Hoodies, a relaxed atmosphere and the scenery make this a quintessential late-fall community trail race.
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For more great fall trail running search UltraSignup’s new Event Finder search tool.
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