Upgrade to Trails
Cane Creek Mountain Trail Run
Cane Creek Mtn Natural Area – Snow Camp, NC
October 11, 2026
Race Day Info Email (sent to all registered racers on Tues, 10/6)
Overview
The 2nd Annual Cane Creek Mountain Trail Run features 10K or Half Marathon of seriously stellar single-track, and at the tail end of the race, an optional stair climb to the top of the 80′ observation tower, offering spectacular views from the highest peak in NC east of Greensboro. Those choosing not to climb the tower can take a real-time, time penalty ‘served’ at the aid station located at the foot of the tower.
Cane Creek Mountain Natural Area is a new 1000 acre park located in Snow Camp, NC (Alamance County) and is an easy drive from Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, Burlington, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem. Challenge yourself this September and come join the adventure!
Course Maps and Description
The 10K and half marathon courses include excellent single-track, challenging climbs, beautiful scenery, potential sightings of southeastern blueberry bees, a remote feel, and an optional stair climb to the top of the 80′ observation tower at the peak of the mountain, which on a clear day will provide views as far as Winston Salem. Those choosing not to climb the tower can take a 5 minute real-time, time penalty ‘served’ at the aid station at the foot of the tower. FYI – briskly walking to the top and back down the tower takes 3-4 minutes.
10K and Half Marathon (Loop 1 – follow YELLOW arrows): Providing easy passing, the 10K and Half Marathon courses begin with 1 mile of wide gravel and flat, beautiful trails, perfect for finding your position within the field of runners. After this mellow prologue, runners hit ‘THE CLIMB’, a steep and rocky (but very well maintained) 300′ ascent to the top of the mountain, which at 987′ is the highest peak in NC east of Greensboro. At the top of this peak sits an 80′ observation tower (opened in Spring 2025), which racers will see, but not climb, on the first pass. After grabbing some well-deserved water/gatorade at the tower aid station, runners will descend along stellar single-track to the southwestern edge of the park, and then back up to the tower by mile 4.6. At this point, half marathoners will bypass the tower, while the 10Kers ascend the stairs to the top, ring the bell, get your photo taken, and then head back down, down, down, the tower and the mountain to the flat terrain of the staging area, finishing the race with short .5 mile section of flat single-track. The exact distance of the 10K is 6.2 miles with 652′ of elevation gain.
Half Marathon (Loop 2 – follow BLUE arrows): After completing the first 6.0 miles of the 10K course, the half marathoners will peel off to the north, up the backside of the mountain along a rugged jeep road, and then eventually hooking back up to that sweet single-track, exploring the NW section of the park. Half marathoners will then head back up to the tower, and at mile 11.9 will get their opportunity to make the assent up the tower to check out the view, ring the bell, and get a photo taken, before heading back down to the staging area, finishing the race with a short .5 mile section of flat single-track. The exact distance of the Half Marathon is 13.4 miles with 1509′ of elevation gain.
Technical Course Rating: While most of these courses are on single-track trails, there are plenty of passing opportunities spread throughout. We would categorize these trails as semi-technical, with some moderate root and rock filled sections, but the real challenge with this race is in the climbs, and for that reason, we would rate these courses with a 4- out of 5.
1 – EASIEST (no technical terrain) (wide double-track (dirt road), smooth single-track with minimal rocks/roots, grassy areas, paved trail. Some moderate hills)
2 – EASY (some roots/rocks but mostly smooth sections of trail. Some moderate hills)
3 – MODERATE (more roots and rocks and some smooth sections of trail. Some short punchy hill climbs and gradual inclines dispersed throughout. Some ‘flat’ sections)
4 – DIFFICULT (a lot of roots and rocks. Many short punchy hill climbs and longer gradual inclines dispersed throughout. Fewer ‘flat’ sections.)
5 – MOST DIFFICULT (almost all roots and rocks. Almost all hills, with very few flat sections)
Course Maps (click on map titles for course details and elevation profiles)
Registration
Registration Fees
- 10K: $60 by 1/11, $65 by 6/12, $70 by 8/12, $75 by 10/10 @ 8pm, no race day registration
- Half Marathon: $75 by 1/11, $80 by 6/12, $85 by 8/12, $90 by 10/10 by 8pm, , no race day registration
- Registration fees are $5 lower for Youth 17-U and Seniors 65+
Expect Excellence. Your Registration Fee Includes:
- Limited race entry to provide an intimate and friendly race experience and to prevent overcrowding on the trails
- Fun and challenging course design
- Professional race operations
- Superbly marked course – you won’t get lost
- Race tee that you’ll love and want to wear. Comes in men’s/unisex, women’s, and youth sizes (see link for sizing/specs).
- Beautiful finisher medal
- Exciting atmosphere with great music
- Excellent volunteer support
- Frequent and well-stocked aid stations every 1-2 miles along the course
- Medical support
- Chip timing – accurate and timely posting of results
- Abundant, varied, and tasty post-race food/beverage, including items such as sliders, fresh fruit, hummus/veggies, bagels/peanut butter, trail bars, chips, cookies, and a crowd favorite, little cups of M&Ms. Beverages include water, Gatorade, soft drinks, Honest Kids juice, and Athletic Brewing Company non-alcoholic beer.
- Awards ceremony with fun contests and lots of giveaways (see below for details)
- FREE photo downloads post-race (a professional photographer will be at the race)
- Shuttles to and from the parking areas
- Lower pricing for Youth 17-U and Seniors 65+
Race Day Schedule
Staging Area: Pine Hill Trailhead at Cane Creek Mountain Natural Area (5075 Bass Mountain Road, Snow Camp, NC 27349)
Sunday, October 11, 2026 (postponed from Sept 12, 2026 – MORE HERE)
- 7am-8:30am: Take 2-4 min shuttle ride from parking areas to staging or walk 1/2 mile from parking areas to staging
- 7:15am-8:45am: Check-in / Packet Pick-Up / Bag, Tee, and Key check
- 8:20am: Half Marathon Pre-Race Brief
- 8:30am: Half Marathon Start
- 8:50am: 10K Pre-Race Brief
- 9am: 10K Start
- 9:45am-12:30pm: Post-race Food
- 10:45am: Awards/Contests/Giveaways (10K)
- 10am-1pm: Shuttles (continuous 2-4 min shuttle ride from staging to parking areas)
- 11:45am: Awards/Contests/Giveaways (Half Marathon)
Awards, Contests, and Giveaways
Awards, Contests, and Giveaways
Awards, Contests, and Giveaways
All finishers will receive a medal. Awards (1st-5th place tumblers) and prizes (Fleet Feet gift certificates) for top five overall M/F competitors in each distance. Awards (1st-3rd place pint glasses) for the top three M/F competitors in each age group.
Age groups for each distance: 13-Under, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.
Racers and volunteers are invited to join the contests – fun stuff such as push up, squat, cornhole, rock/paper/scissors, etc, etc. Contest winners receive NICE swag like Goodr sunglasses or race merchandise and ALL who participate receive an item of swag. After the contests, we randomly select winners of the rest of the swag – more great stuff such as Goodr sunglasses, gift certificates, running gear, and Roadless Races merchandise.
Venue
Rules and Policies
Rules:
- In-ear earbuds, headphones, and external speakers are not permitted in the race. Bone conduction headsets are OK.
- Respect the environment. No littering.
- Excellent sportsmanship is an expectation at our events. Respect other racers, volunteers, and race staff.
- Follow the marked course and stay on designated trails. No shortcutting.
- Please inform our timer if you drop out of the race.
- Bib numbers must be visible from the front at all times.
- PLEASE, DO NOT give your bib to someone else. This will make the results, age group, and overall awards incorrect. If you need to transfer your registration, you may do so up to 3 days prior to race day by going to your runsignup account, selecting ‘Transfer to Someone Else’ in the menu, and then following the instructions.
- Run at your pace. There are no cut-off times.
Policies:
- Refunds: Receive a refund (minus $10 and the runsignup processing fee) if you cancel 21+ days before the race. No refunds within 21 days. To cancel, email request to info@roadlessraces.com
- Credits: Receive a coupon code for future Roadless Races if you cancel 3+ days BEFORE the race. Cancel 21+ days before race = 100% credit. Cancel 8-20 days before race = 75% credit. Cancel 3-7 days before race = 50% credit. To cancel, email request to info@roadlessraces.com.
- Transfer Your Entry to Someone Else: Transfers must be initiated online at least 3 days prior to the race. No race day transfers. We do not allow transfers to another race. To transfer to another racer, go to you profile on runsignup, and follow directions to ‘Transfer to Someone Else’.
- Change Distance: Distance changes must be initiated online at least 3 days prior to the race. No race day distance changes. To change distances, go to your profile on runsignup, and follow directions to ‘Transfer Event’.
Sponsors
