HalfRuns
Long Life Meal Prep Cannonball Running Festival - Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

Long Life Meal Prep Cannonball Running Festival - Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

Cannonball Running Festival offers a large-scale celebration of running with multiple distances on Greensboro's A & Y Greenway.

Race Date

Oct 16, 2026

Location

Greensboro, NC

Runner Favorite88

Quick facts

Date
Friday, October 16, 2026
Location
Greensboro, North Carolina
Distance
Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 3.1 Miles, 26.2 Miles, 10K, Kids Dash, 29.3 Miles, 16.2 Miles, 9.3 Miles, VIRTUAL
Course
Loop Course
Terrain
Road
USATF certified
Yes
Finishers on record
7,159

Highlights

Good For

PR FriendlyBeginner FriendlyDestination Worthy

Atmosphere

Party FinishSpectator SupportGreat MedalGreat Post Race

Course

Fast FlatWell Marked

The Experience

The Cannonball Running Festival in Greensboro, NC, transforms the scenic A & Y Greenway and Country Park into a vibrant hub for runners of all levels. This event, now in its 21st year, typically draws around 735 finishers, with a notable 23% returning year after year, and participants hailing from approximately 22 states.

The course is a USATF-certified, flat road race with minimal elevation change, making it a prime candidate for personal bests. Runners will experience the natural beauty of the greenway and park, providing a pleasant backdrop for the challenge.

Beyond the race itself, the festival is renowned for its celebratory atmosphere. Participants receive a t-shirt, a custom finisher medal, and two complimentary craft brews, with local breweries on hand to offer more. The event also features a unique "Double Barrel Challenge" for those who race a 5K on Friday and another distance on Saturday, complete with extra swag.

Race-provided description

Cannonball Running Festival is the LARGEST celebration of running in our region. Race distances include Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Kids Dash AND a bonus challenge option. The backdrop for the races is the gorgeous A & Y greenway in Greensboro, NC and Country Park. The start/finish for all events take place in Country Park, Greensboro's running Mecca.  Whether a veteran to distance running or a relative newbie, this event is a MUST DO for the course, the schwag, the glory, and the PARTY! In true celebration of the region, local craft breweries pour all day Saturday for participants and spectators. Participants have two craft brews included with their race registration and spectators are able to purchase with all funds generated from beer sales going directly to our charity partner, Brenner Children's. What is that challenge? The Double Barrel Challenge! The Friday night 5K allows the unique opportunity to race in the evening AND opens up the challenge of participating in either the 10K, half marathon or marathon on Saturday. Double Barrel Challenge participants receive two shirts and two custom finisher medals (one for each event), PLUS bonus bling for completing the Double Barrel Challenge. Not to mention extra beer and bragging rights!!! All race participants will receive a custom finishers medal (Kids dash will not receive a medal or shirt, but their own "goodies'), t-shirt, food, beer (21 and up), FREE professional race photos and a celebration! Everyone, friends and family can enjoy the post-race celebration with live music, awards ceremony and activities. **You must register 2 weeks prior to event to guarantee a shirt.**

Logistics

Race Day

Friday, October 16, 2026

Start Time

7:45 AM

Giveaway

Shirt

Start Location

3802 Jaycee Park Drive, Greensboro, NC, 27455

Directions

Course Info

USATF Certified

Course Type

Loop Course

Terrain

road

Scenery

Park, Rural

Surface

Paved

Difficulty

Ultra-Flat

Net Drop/km

0 m (Flat)

Separation

0.0%

Also Offers

3.1 Miles26.2 Miles10KKids Dash29.3 Miles16.2 Miles9.3 MilesVIRTUAL

USATF Certified Course

NC21017BW · Cannonball Half Marathon 2021

Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.

Quality Score

Runner Favorite88
Methodology
Heritage20/20

21 years running

Size14/15

~706 finishers a year

Momentum5/5

growing or steady

Loyalty20/20

23% returning runners

Course & details13/15

USATF certified · 5 timing sources · 4 photos

National draw8/10

runners from 22 states

Front-pack speed3/5

winner 1:15:16

Weather5/10

typical high 70°F

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

50°

Afternoon (High)

70°

Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish

0.0"

Precipitation

10 mph

Wind

67%

Humidity

Historical Finish Times

How 7,159 finishers actually crossed the line across 21 years.

Most recent

2025

Total finishers

7,159

Median time

2:09:47

Latest turnout

372

States

49

10%
25%
75%
90%
1:05p50 median ≈ 2:004:50

Turnout by year

20172025

'17'18'19'21'22'23'24'25
See full results

Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.

Race Photos

Frequently asked

When is the Long Life Meal Prep Cannonball Running Festival - Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K?

The Long Life Meal Prep Cannonball Running Festival - Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K is held on Friday, October 16, 2026, starting at 7:45 AM.

Where does the Long Life Meal Prep Cannonball Running Festival - Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K take place?

It takes place in Greensboro, North Carolina.

What distances does the Long Life Meal Prep Cannonball Running Festival - Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K offer?

The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 3.1 Miles, 26.2 Miles, 10K, Kids Dash, 29.3 Miles, 16.2 Miles, 9.3 Miles, VIRTUAL.

Is the Long Life Meal Prep Cannonball Running Festival - Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K course flat and good for a PR?

The Long Life Meal Prep Cannonball Running Festival - Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K is a ultra-flat, loop course course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.

How many people run the Long Life Meal Prep Cannonball Running Festival - Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K?

HalfRuns has finish records for 7,159 runners who have completed the Long Life Meal Prep Cannonball Running Festival - Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K.

HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.

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