HalfRuns
Wade Mountain 10k and Half Marathon and Marathon Trail Races

Wade Mountain 10k and Half Marathon and Marathon Trail Races

North Alabama's only trail marathon, run beneath late-October foliage on a rarely-seen Wade Mountain course.

Race Date

Oct 18, 2026

Location

Huntsville, AL

Quick facts

Date
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Location
Huntsville, Alabama
Distance
Half marathon (13.1 mi)
Course
Loop Course
Terrain
Trail
USATF certified
Not listed

Highlights

Good For

Hidden Gem

Atmosphere

Party FinishLocal CommunityGreat Post RaceWell Organized

Course

Scenic Route

The Experience

Late October on Wade Mountain brings North Alabama's only trail marathon — plus 10K and half marathon options — to a stretch of trail that runners rarely get to see. The organizers behind the Wild Thangs Trail Series, Eagle Ridge and Cathedral Caverns put this one on, and the setting is the draw: brilliant fall foliage overhead and race-day temperatures averaging a civilized 49 to 73 degrees.

This is a trail race first, so expect the honest work of roots, rocks and rolling terrain rather than a flat road burn. The payoff is a course most runners never line up on, and a field small enough to feel like a shared secret among North Alabama trail people.

Afterward the directors fire up the grill — hamburgers and drinks for every runner at the finish. One practical note: all RunningLane trail races are cupless, so bring a handheld bottle, pack or reusable cup; there are no paper cups at the aid stations. It's a small ask for a morning under the fall canopy.

Race-provided description

Want Discounts On Our Races? Yep that's right! If you love our races and want discounts, we have created a program just for you. Learn more about RunningLane Collective at https://runninglane.com/rl-collective Calling all volunteers! We always need fantastic volunteers and we have a volunteer program to help save you some dough. Volunteers who work a 5 hour shift will receive free entry into a future RunningLane Event 1/2 Marathon distance and shorter. Volunteers who work (2) 5 hour shifts or (1) 8+ hour shift will receive free entry into a future RL Event 50 Miler and down OR (2) races 1/2 marathon and down. For more details please email staff@runninglane.com  Excludes the Wild Thangs Trail Series Bundle Overview North Alabama's ONLY trail marathon. Also both 10K & Half Marathon options as well! Come get some under the brilliant fall foliage of late October. Perfect temperatures (Avg's 49F/73F) and a rarely seen trail, brought to you by the same directors as the Wild Thangs Trail Series, Eagle Ridge, Cathedral Caverns Trail Run & others. So you know we're going to do this right and give you a great experience. After the race we will grill out hamburgers and have drinks available to all the runners.. Please remember that all RunningLane Events trail races are "cupless races." You must have a hand held bottle, pack or or reusable cup as there won't be any paper cups at the aid stations to cut down on waste. If you don't have a reusable cup, there is the option to buy a RunningLane reusable cup at checkout for $5.

Registration ALL races include the hooded sweatshirt, awesome finisher medals and post race meal.  Waitlists will be available if the event sells out. Packet Pickup Packet pickup will be on Saturday, October 17th, 2026 at the RunningLane store from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. Participants are welcomed to pick up packets for their friends. RunningLane is located at 2407 Memorial Parkway SW Suite 1, Huntsville, AL 35801 Late packet pickup will be available on race morning but please be early. Thanks :) Shirts & Awards The race shirt will be a hooded sweatshirt! How cool? Age groups will be: 10K: 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+, OA Male & Female, OA Male & Female Masters 1/2 Marathon: 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+, OA Male & Female, OA Male & Female Masters Marathon: 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+, OA Male & Female, OA Male & Female Masters Weather These are low-traffic trails, so we expect this race to go off rain or shine. In the event of severe weather (highly unlikely in late October) we will delay the start as necessary to avoid lightening or high winds. However: If it rains heavy enough that the trails cannot sustain the event, we may delay, alter the course, or ultimately cancel. The Land Trust will get the final say. Their first priority is the sustainable conservation of the greenspace and we will stand behind that mindset. Cutoffs Cutoff for the marathon will be 8 hours. Marathon runners failing to reach the start/finish area around half way (14.8 mi) by 11:45am will be cut off. Cutoff for the half marathon will be 6 hours. Safe and appropriate progress will be checked at the aid stations. The course Course Maps & Elevation profiles: 10K: https://www.strava.com/routes/2751385470188505694 1/2 Marathon: https://www.strava.com/routes/2751386158353641874 Marathon: https://www.strava.com/routes/2751387112284424298 Lodging Monte Sano State Park is the best place to stay for this race. The park is a short 15-20 minute drive to the race site and offers beautiful cabins overlooking the Tennessee Valley. Be sure to tell them the RunningLane Crew sent you! More info here: https://www.alapark.com/parks/monte-sano-state-park/cabins There are no refunds, deferrals, credits or friend / family transfers on entries. We do not mail shirts or medals to participants unable to make the event as left over shirts are donated.

Logistics

Race Day

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Start Time

8:00 AM

Giveaway

T-Shirt

Start Location

10130 Spragins Hollow Rd NW, Huntsville, AL, 35810

Directions

Course Info

Course Type

Loop Course

Terrain

trail

Scenery

Forest, Mountain

Surface

Dirt Trail

Difficulty

Rolling Hills

Quality Score

Methodology
Heritage0/20

first year

Size0/15

no finisher counts yet

Momentum3/5

small race — neutral

Loyalty0/20

needs a few years of results

Course & details2/15

limited extras

National draw0/10

no finisher data yet

Front-pack speed0/5

no winner time yet

Weather2/10

typical high 72°F

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

49°

Afternoon (High)

72°

Warm — hydration strategy is key, start conservatively

0.1"

Precipitation

10 mph

Wind

67%

Humidity

Frequently asked

When is the Wade Mountain 10k and Half Marathon and Marathon Trail Races?

The Wade Mountain 10k and Half Marathon and Marathon Trail Races is held on Sunday, October 18, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.

Where does the Wade Mountain 10k and Half Marathon and Marathon Trail Races take place?

It takes place in Huntsville, Alabama.

What distances does the Wade Mountain 10k and Half Marathon and Marathon Trail Races offer?

The half marathon (13.1 miles).

Is the Wade Mountain 10k and Half Marathon and Marathon Trail Races course flat and good for a PR?

The Wade Mountain 10k and Half Marathon and Marathon Trail Races is a rolling hills, loop course course.

HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.

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