Events
70.3 IRONMAN Chattanooga
Date: May 17, 2026
Type: Biking, Paddling/Water, Paddling/Water (Triathlon), Running, Running/Trail Running, Triathlon
States: Tennessee
A half-distance IRONMAN triathlon in Chattanooga, Tennessee featuring a downstream river swim, rolling 56-mile bike course, and a riverfront half marathon finish through downtown.
SavageMan Triathlon Festival
Date: September 16, 2026
Type: Biking, Paddling/Water (Triathlon), Running, Running/Trail Running, Triathlon
States: Maryland
Dubbed the “World’s Most Savage and Most Beautiful Triathlon,” SavageMan takes place at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland’s Allegheny Mountains. The course is famed for the brutal Westernport Wall, with pitches up to 31%, and the grueling 7.2-mile climb up Big Savage Mountain. Offering multiple race distances, the event draws around 1,000 athletes each year.
Blue Ridge Relay
Date: September 11–12, 2026
Type: Running, Running/Trail Running
States: North Carolina
An iconic 208-mile overnight running relay through the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Relay sends teams of 4–12 runners across 36 legs from the high country near Boone to downtown Asheville. The course features significant elevation changes and showcases some of the most scenic and rugged terrain in the Southern Appalachians.
Cheat River Festival
Date: May 1–2, 2026)
Type: Festival, Nature, Paddling/Water, Running, Water, Wildlife
States: West Virginia
A two-day celebration of the Cheat River that brings together more than 3,000 outdoor enthusiasts, boaters, and families. The event kicks off with the Rick Gusic Cheat River Massacre-ence, the largest mass-start downriver whitewater race in the country, covering 10.6 miles of Class III–IV rapids.
The Assault on Mt. Mitchell
Date: May 18, 2026
Type: Biking
States: North Carolina
A legendary 102.7-mile cycling endurance ride from Spartanburg, SC to the summit of Mount Mitchell, featuring over 10,000 feet of climbing through the Blue Ridge Mountains and earning its reputation as the “Beast of the East.”
Eastern States 100
Date: August 8–9, 2026
Type: Running, Running/Trail Running, Trail Running
States: Pennsylvania
A 103-mile ultramarathon through Pennsylvania’s Pine Creek Gorge featuring over 20,000 feet of climbing on nearly all singletrack and doubletrack, with a finisher rate of about 49 percent and a required qualifying race.
Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic
Date: May 19–23, 2026
Type: Biking
States: Pennsylvania
Central Pennsylvania’s premier multi-day mountain bike stage race through Rothrock and Bald Eagle State Forests, offering 3-day and 5-day options with ~30 miles and 3,000 feet of climbing per stage, plus camping, meals, and a $5,000 cash purse.
Shenandoah Mountain 100
Date: September 5–6, 2026
Type: Biking
States: Virginia
A 100-mile mountain bike race through Virginia’s George Washington National Forest featuring 14,000 feet of climbing, technical singletrack, and a long-standing tradition of community-driven endurance riding. A 100K option is also available.
Mountain Masochist Trail Run
Date: November 7, 2026
Type: Running/Trail Running
States: Virginia
One of the longest-running 50-mile trail races in the U.S., the Mountain Masochist Trail Run was founded in 1983 by ultrarunning legend David Horton. The course traverses the Blue Ridge Mountains through George Washington National Forest, featuring over 9,000 feet of elevation gain amid peak fall foliage. The event now includes 50-mile, 50K, and 100K distance options.
Grindstone Trail Running Festival
Date: September 18–20, 2026
Type: Running, Running/Trail Running, Trail Running
States: Virginia
A fall ultrarunning festival in western Virginia featuring the Grindstone 100 Mile and shorter races through the Allegheny Mountains, known for rugged terrain, heavy elevation gain, and remote Appalachian singletrack.
IRONMAN Chattanooga
Date: September 27, 2026
Type: Biking, Paddling/Water, Paddling/Water (Triathlon), Running, Running/Trail Running, Triathlon
States: Tennessee
A full-distance IRONMAN triathlon in Chattanooga, Tennessee featuring a downriver swim, scenic rolling bike course, and riverfront marathon finish through a vibrant downtown race atmosphere.
Appalachian Trail Days
Date: May 15–17, 2026
Type: Festival, Hiking, Nature, Nature / Wildlife, Running, Trail Running
States: Virginia
The world’s largest celebration of the Appalachian Trail and hiker culture, drawing an estimated 25,000 visitors each May to Damascus, Virginia. Features a Hiker Parade, talent show, 100+ outdoor gear and craft vendors, live music, trail races, and a grand reunion of thru-hikers past and present.
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
Date: July 9–12, 2026
Type: Festival, Hiking, Nature, Wildlife
States: North Carolina
Billed as ‘America’s grandest Highland Games’ and running since 1956, this four-day Scottish cultural festival at MacRae Meadows draws 30,000+ attendees with caber toss, hammer throw, Highland dancing, bagpipe competitions, Celtic music, whisky tastings, and a footrace up the mountain.
Gauley Fest
Date: September 17–20, 2026
Type: Festival, Paddling, Paddling/Water, Water
States: West Virginia
One of the world’s largest whitewater festivals held in West Virginia each September, featuring Gauley River releases, elite kayaking and rafting, live music, camping, and river conservation celebrations.
Lost River Classic
Date: Sat August 15, 2026
Type: Biking
States: West Virginia
Location: Downtown Lewisburg
A gravel race in West Virginia’s Lost River region supporting trail development and youth cycling, featuring challenging and scenic roads and benefiting the Lost River Trails Coalition and local NICA team.
Bridge Day
Date: October 17, 2026
Type: Biking, Climbing, Hiking, Nature / Wildlife, Snow Sports
States: West Virginia
Location: Downtown Lewisburg
West Virginia’s largest one-day festival, held every October on the New River Gorge Bridge, featuring BASE jumping, rappelling, and a rare chance to walk the 876-foot-high span above the New River Gorge.