7 events in McDowell County, North Carolina

From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find running, cycling, triathlon, and swimming events and connect with the local endurance sports community.

• Rock n Roller [mcdowelltrails.org] [Register at raceroster.com]
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  Sat, Apr 25, 2026 at 9:00 AM

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  Ride for Old Fort: Pedal for Progress

  Old Fort, NC, is a town defined by its trail-blazing spirit and its love of the outdoors. In a place where recreation and shared spaces have always brought...

  Ride for Old Fort: Pedal for Progress

  Old Fort, NC, is a town defined by its trail-blazing spirit and its love of the outdoors. In a place where recreation and shared spaces have always brought people together, the loss from Hurricane Helene has been deeply felt.

  Now, we have a chance to rebuild—not just what was lost, but what Old Fort deserves. This cycling event is more than a ride; it’s a promise. A promise to restore hope, to build recreational opportunities for families and visitors, and to support a community determined to rise stronger than before.

  When you register, you’re not just signing up for a ride through one of North Carolina’s most beautiful landscapes—you’re helping create new places for kids to play, families to gather, and neighbors to reconnect. Every mile you pedal becomes an investment in Old Fort’s future.

  Join us. Ride with purpose. Ride for Old Fort. Let’s rebuild joy, together.

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  McDowell Trails Association invites you to experience the 5th Edition of the Rock n Roller, a bike ride that showcases what makes McDowell County a cycling destination. You experience the scenic beauty of the mountains, rivers, and foliage. This early spring ride serves as an excellent training ride to set the tone for the remainder of the 2026 cycling season.

  For 2026, the 5th Edition includes country roads and plenty of rolling hills. We have added a gravel option for 2026.

  • The Hard Rock. Approximately 60 miles with 4,300 feet of climbing (4 SAGs).

  • The Hard Rock Rock n Roller 5th Edition

  • The Soft Rock. Approximately 35 miles with nearly 2,300 feet of climbing (2 SAG).

  • The Soft Rock Rock n Roller 5th Edition

  • The Alternative Rock (Gravel Ride). Approximately 30 miles with 2,300 feet of climbing.

  • The Alternative Rock Rock n Roller 5th Edition

  The Hard Rock route and the Alternative Rock route are great training rides for any future events.

  You will receive a tee shirt commemorating the event for those registered by April 1. You will need to select your size as part of registration.

  The funds raised by the Rock n Roller will be used by the McDowell Trails Association to help create recreational opportunities in Old Fort.

  50k 100k Cycling Gravel Road Trail

  712 Catawba River Road, McDowell County, North Carolina, 28762, United States
  OpenStreetMap Google Maps
• Hellbender 100 [hellbender100.com] [Register at ultrasignup.com] - Facebook - Instagram
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  Fri, May 08, 2026 at 5:00 AM

  Ultra

  985 Camp Grier Rd, McDowell County, North Carolina, 28762, United States
  OpenStreetMap Google Maps
• Ridge to Rails 50k, Half, & 10k [tanawhaadventures.com] [Register at ultrasignup.com]
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  Sat, Jun 06, 2026

  10k 50k Half Marathon Ultra

  Old Fort Gateway Trailhead, McDowell County, North Carolina, United States
  OpenStreetMap Google Maps
• Pisgah 12 Hour Adventure Race 2026 [ncars.info] [Register at runsignup.com]
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  Sat, Sep 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM

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  This 12 hour event is at Lake James State Park located at the edge of the Linville Gorge area of North Carolina.

  This will be the last race in our series.

  This will be our 7th year at the state park,...

  This 12 hour event is at Lake James State Park located at the edge of the Linville Gorge area of North Carolina.

  This will be the last race in our series.

  This will be our 7th year at the state park, and we look forward to offering another great time in the great outdoors. As with all our races, we like to offer racers a little bit of everything. This race will be no different: a bushwhacking O-course, single track and some road mountain bike riding, and some scenic paddling.

  Teams of 1-4 will travel together along the course. The objective of the race is to gather a punch from as many Check Points (unmanned flags in the woods) within the allotted time. The team with the most points in the least amount of time wins.

  Bring the lights!

  40 Miles

  7321 Nc-126 Paddy Creek, McDowell County, North Carolina, 28761, United States
  OpenStreetMap Google Maps