Bootlegger

When the weather turns chilly, the critters quit crawling and your usual hardtop running routes are getting a bit tired and boring......its time to veer off the road and kick up some dirt on the trail! It's time for The Third Annual Dirty Santa Trail Run!

This 5 mile race is the fifth and final event in The Foothills Run Series Presented By UNC Ortho.

The course starts / finishes at the Lenoir Rotary Soccer Complex and is made up of almost 3 miles of single track trail (Zack's Fork Mountain Bike Trail), nearly 1.4 miles of natural field / gravel trail and around .6 mile of hardtop just for some variety!

*Early Packet Pickup: Friday (12/12) - 5:30pm - 7:30pm Liquid Roots Brewing (1048 Harper Ave, Lenoir, NC)

Race Day Schedule (12/13):

7:30am - Race Day Registration / Packet Pick-Up Opens

8:45am - Race Day Registration / Packet Pick-Up Ends

9:00am - Start Of The Third Annual Dirty Santa Trail Run

Enjoy some post race snacks featuring a Smores Station and Hot Cocoa!

Stick around for post race awards and the top winners selecting their gifts Dirty Santa Style!

The Third Annual Dirty Santa Trail Run Individual Awards

• Top 3 Overall Male / Female (Winner - Dirty Santa Trophy + Gift/Award, 2nd - Custom Silver Finished Medal + Gift/Award, 3rd - Custom Bronze Finished Medal + Gift/Award)

• Top 2 Male / Female Master (40 - 49) (Winner - Dirty Santa Trophy + Gift/Award, 2nd - Custom Silver Finished Medal + Gift/Award)

• Top 2 Male / Female Grandmaster (50 & Up) (Winner - Dirty Santa Trophy + Gift/Award, 2nd - Custom Silver Finished Medal + Gift/Award)

*Top 3 Male / Female Age Groups (Winner - Custom Gold Finished Medal, 2nd - Custom Silver Finished Medal, 3rd - Custom Bronze Finished Medal) 14 and under; 15 - 19; 20 -24; 25 - 29; 30 - 34; 35 - 39; 40 - 44; 45 - 49; 50 - 54; 55 - 59; 60 - 64; 65 - 69, 70+

Every runner registering by Midnight on December 1 will be guaranteed their size in the Official Third Annual Dirty Santa Trail Run Hoodie!

We are back on the Boone Greenway Trail for the 16th Annual High Country Turkey Trot! Choose from a 5K or 10K timed race or an untimed Fun Run/Walk.

Taking place on Thanksgiving morning, The High Country Turkey Trot is open to competitive runners, casual joggers, walkers, and fun runners. Far from just a race, the event is fun for the entire family and includes a live DJ, photo-staging area, costumes, and a picnic shed full of food and hot drinks.

NEW FOR 2026: We've updated the course route by reducing elevation gain and improving the terrain. That means less hill climbs and more stable footing! The 5K and 10K races will take you on a scenic trip over mixed terrain (gravel, grass, and paved) through the woods via The Greenway and Kennedy Trails. Official course map to revealed soon!

The Fun Run/Walk will utilize all paved trails throughout the park - making it accessible to everyone, including leashed dogs, strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, and other mobility aids.

The High Country Turkey Trot offers prizes for top 3 Men's & Women's finishers in the 5k & 10k timed runs, Finisher Medals for all runners in the 5K and 10K timed runs, and custom High Country Turkey Trot T-Shirts for all entrants*.

All participants are asked to bring non-perishable boxes or canned food items!

The High Country Turkey Trot is LARGEST 5K & 10K in North Carolina's High Country. Join the fun on Thanksgiving morning 2026!

START TIME

• 10K Timed Race Start Time: 8:50

• 5K Timed Race Start Time: 9:00

• Fun Run/Walk Start Time: 9:10

ROUTE TERRAIN

• INTERACTIVE COURSE MAPS: CLICK HERE

• 5K & 10K RACE: Greenway Trail + Path – partially paved, mostly grass and wooded trail/dirt.

• FUN RUN / WALK: Greenway Trail - 100% paved

AWARDS

All finishers will received a custom High Country Turkey Trot finisher medal!

Overall Winners: Top 3 overall men and women will receive custom HCTT swag and a Stick Boy Bread Co. pumpkin pie!

Age Groups: Top 3 in each age group will receive custom HCTT swag! Age groups are as follows: 9 & Under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

FIRST AID PROVIDED BY: Watauga Rescue, stationed at the start/finish line.