
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
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
Atmosphere
Course
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
Course Info
USATF CertifiedCourse Type
Loop Course
Terrain
road
Scenery
Park, Rural
Surface
Paved
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Net Drop/km
0 m (Flat)
Separation
0.0%
Also Offers
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 Favorite8821 years running
~706 finishers a year
growing or steady
23% returning runners
USATF certified · 5 timing sources · 4 photos
runners from 22 states
winner 1:15:16
typical high 70°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (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
Turnout by year
2017–2025
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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