Best Trail Races in December 2026 (USA)
The top trail races happening across the United States in December 2026, ranked by RaceScore — our 0–100 composite of PR potential, value for money, vibe, beginner-friendliness, and data confidence. Whether you're chasing a personal record, looking for a beginner-friendly first trail race, or planning a destination race weekend, this guide narrows the calendar to the events most worth your time.
Top 10 trail races this december
Showing the top 10 of 19 trail races we track for December 2026. See the full list →
How we rank trail races
Every race on running.services is scored on a deterministic 0–100 scale we call RaceScore. It's a weighted blend of:
- PR potential — flat, fast, weather-friendly courses score higher.
- Value for money — entry fee versus what's included.
- Vibe — crowd, scenery, post-race party, festival features.
- Beginner-friendliness — generous cutoffs, walker policy, course support.
- Family-fit — kids races, stroller policy, spectator access.
- Data completeness — verified course, photos, elevation, reviews.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best trail race in December 2026?
Based on RaceScore, the highest-rated trail race in December 2026 is Run At The Rock - 5K/10K/Half Marathon in Burlington, NC. It scores well on a balance of PR potential, value, and runner-rated vibe.
How many trail races are there in the USA in December 2026?
We currently track 19 confirmed trail races on the December 2026 calendar. The list updates automatically as organizers publish new events.
Is December a good month to run a trail race?
December runs cold in most of the country, which is great for distance running if you train in layers, but watch for icy starts in northern states. Southern races (FL, AZ, TX) tend to draw the biggest fields.
How do I find a beginner-friendly trail race?
Look for races with a generous time cutoff, a walker-friendly policy, and a flat course. Each race detail page on running.services shows a beginner-friendliness sub-score so you can filter accordingly.