Southern Legends · Local Guide

Trail Races in Northeast Alabama: The Complete List

Northeast Alabama has some of the best trail running and mountain biking terrain in the Southeast. Coldwater Mountain, Cheaha State Park, the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail, and the Chief Ladiga Trail give this corner of the state a race calendar worth building a year around.

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Matt Headley

Southern Legends · July 2026

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Trail Running

Coldwater Trail Race — Life Time

October 31 – November 1, 2026

Coldwater Mountain, Anniston

50K trail run · 25K trail run · 40-mile MTB · 17-mile MTB

The anchor race of NE Alabama's trail scene. The 2025 inaugural drew 600+ athletes from 34 states and Canada. Life Time acquired it — real marketing reach and national registration. One of the few Life Time events in the Southeast.

Vendor note: The booth. CLT and Coldwater Mountain designs. Highest-income athletic audience in the Anniston area. Coordinate with event organizers for vendor placement.

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Ultramarathon

Pinhoti 100

First weekend of November (Nov 1–2, 2026)

Lineville/Heflin, Cleburne County

100 miles

One of the premier ultramarathons in the Southeast. The Pinhoti National Recreation Trail runs 335 miles through the Talladega National Forest. A serious event with serious runners — and a volunteer culture that keeps people coming back.

Vendor note: Limited — remote location, aid-station culture. Worth a presence if you have Pinhoti-specific designs.

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Trail Running

Chief Ladiga Trail Races

Various — check chiefladigatrail.org

Cleburne County to Oxford

5K, 10K, half marathon

The Chief Ladiga Trail connects Cleburne County through Jacksonville to Oxford — 33 miles of paved rail-trail. Race events on the trail draw regional participants. Family-friendly, community-oriented.

Vendor note: Good for CLT shirt designs. Check the event calendar for dates.

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Campus Run

JSU Homecoming 5K

November 7, 2026

Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville

The JSU Homecoming weekend race. Campus crowd, alumni, families. Friendly, community-oriented.

Vendor note: Minimal. Campus event, vendor space limited.

Road Race

Oxford Kiwanis Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving morning (Nov 27, 2026)

Oxford, Calhoun County

Annual community Turkey Trot. Local families, first-timers, repeat regulars. One of the most consistent community race events in Calhoun County.

Vendor note: Small — booth presence possible if you know the organizers.

Mountain Biking

NEABA Coldwater Mountain Races

Various throughout the season

Coldwater Mountain, Anniston

The Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association organizes trail days, races, and events at Coldwater Mountain. The trail system is one of the best in Alabama — IMBA Ride Center level trail infrastructure.

Vendor note: Committed MTB audience. Coldwater Mountain designs sell here.

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Road Cycling

Noble Street Gran Fondo

TBD 2026 — confirm at annistonal.gov/events

Anniston, starting at Noble Street

Noble Street is a Grand Fondo global qualifier — meaning finishers earn qualification for the Gran Fondo World Championships. That brings serious cyclists from outside the region. High income, passionate audience.

Vendor note: Road cycling audience. CLT and Anniston heritage designs. Confirm booth availability through the city events office.

Road Cycling

Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo

May 16–17, 2026

Jacksonville, Alabama

Part of the Gran Fondo National Series with UCI World Series qualifying. Multiple distances including The ULTRA. Bike expo, rest stops, pre- and post-ride meals. Serious cyclists, regional and national draw.

Vendor note: High-income athletic crowd. Heritage Alabama and Cheaha designs. Confirm booth with organizers.

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