16th Annual Camp Chestnut Ridge Trail Races

The 15th annual Chestnut Ridge Trail Race is on Saturday, Nov 22, 2025

 

 

Location

The race will be run entirely on the camp's single track trails and roads (dirt and gravel) at Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center in beautiful Efland, NC. The course will feature rolling hills through old hardwood forests. There are three race options – a 4ish mile race and an 8ish mile race  and now a 3mile virtual race.   8-ish you ask, because I'm not sure on the exact distance till week of. Minimum would be 8, but could be closer to 9 miles. This all depends on trail conditions. There will be 3 staffed water station for the 8ish mile and one for the 4 mile. Walkers are welcome on the 4 mile trail. This is a trail race. There are rocks, roots, poo and sometimes mud/water on the trails. Please, Please no pets or baby strollers in the race. Both races will closed at 12:00pm.

We will also be providing childcare while you run, if needed.

Please, this is a “no headphones” event. This rule is intended to provide a safe and enjoyable trail run for all participants. Running a trail race while wearing headphones means that you can’t hear those who may want to pass safely. Also a good idea for those wanting to pass to give a shout out "on your left/right " just so everyone knows where they are & can safely move out of the way.  Please be respectful of these rules for the safety of other runners.

Those that sign up for the virtual race will have their shirts mailed to them.

 

Whom does this event benefit?

Proceeds from the race will benefit the “Pass It On” Annual Fund which supports the camping ministry, enhances facilities and equipment, and helps send children and youth to camp through the campership scholarship program. By running in the race you can help send a kid to camp!

 

Refund Policy

In the event the race should be canceled for reasons beyond the control of the Race Committee or Camp Chestnut Ridge such as but not limited to inclement weather or unsafe weather conditions; local, state or national emergency; public health emergency, No refunds will be made. Please keep this in mind.

 

 

 

Comments from previous races:

This was my 2nd chestnut ridge race and like last year it was awesome! beautiful setting, wonderful people, good cause. thank you for the hard work in putting this together! It is such a delight to participate, I wish it happened every season! I encouraged several of my running buds to attend, and many remarked it was their favorite trail race yet. congratulations on hosting one of the best local races....

you all did such a great job!!! It was such a fun morning. And the post-race pastries were fantastic....

Thanks for another terrific and very well run race. I cannot imagine all the work that was done to clear the trails of the falling leaf cover. The homemade goodies even sweeter....

 

And from 2018 muddy race:

I had a great time in spite of the muddy conditions. I think you always do a great job of letting the runners know what kind of trail conditions to expect, and as such, I didn’t wear the pretty new trail shoes :-D This was my third time running this race. I really appreciate the effort that your team puts into it, and I am sure I’ll be back next year!

Once again - NOT disappointed! It was fun, mud & all - why should the kids have all the fun stomping through the mud ?! Everyone was so nice. You can tell when a lot of thought , planning & organization go into a race!

My mud buddy & I are looking forward to next year's race. As we lined up to get started we asked each other "Now why did we think this was a good idea?" Our answer - It's for the kids !!!

 

2019 comments...It was dry till 11am, then the monsoon struck.

Yes, please keep the pastries! And the childcare! And please keep the monsoons away if possible. :)
Thanks for all you do to organize and coordinate. I talked a couple of friends into signing up this year, and hope to convince a few more next year.

I did the 4 mile and thoroughly enjoyed the event. My family came to hang out and we all had a great time. Organization was great! Can’t really think of anything I’d change! I only heard positive feedback from other runners, we plan to be back.

My husband and I try to run this race every year and always love it. It’s a favorite of many of my running friends. We had lots of fun today despite the rain.

Loved this race. It sure was challenging. I’m new to this trail running thing but learned so much during the race. The organization was fantastic. Thanks for even hanging around for me! 

 

2021:

Thank you for such a fun morning!  It was my fiancé first trail race. We both had a lot of fun and are looking forward to it next year

It was a great race. I run a pretty good amount of ultra trail races and this was as good as any of those. Trails were in great shape, well marked, plenty of water and parking was a breeze. I wouldn't change a thing.

Thank you for a fun race! Volunteering was easy, the shirts are awesome, and my kids loved the trail run! They also appreciated the snacks and apple cider. We will plan to join you again next year.

every volunteer on course today was extremely friendly and positive and smiling.  I didn’t see a grump in the crowd.  It was refreshing. 

 

 2022:

    The race was fantastic in every way! We had so much fun participating. There were only two hiccups that I noted. One was that one of the men’s toilets got clogged and there wasn’t a plunger in sight, yikes! The other was that the check-in for childcare was confusing. But, neither of those things took away from a fantastic morning on the trails. Kudos to you, Bull City Running, Hillsborough Running Club, and all of the volunteers that made this race possible. 

      I just started running in January and this was my first race.  I loved it!  Very organized, trails were so clear, friendly folks, great snacks.  Looking forward to 2023!  Thanks to you and all those volunteering their time.

        Alan, this is one of our favorite annual events. Such good spirit, organization and food.  Congratulations to you and volunteers. See you next year!  

 

2023

Thanks for the race!  This was my second time doing the 8-miler.  I don’t have any complaints - nice to have food/coffee, trail was well-marked (though challenging!) and we appreciated the childcare. 

Great race once again. Enjoyed almost every step!

 

 

 

 

Registration details:

Cost for the Trail Run is $30 for the 4mile and $40 for the 8ish mile online. Participants registering by Nov 3rd will be guaranteed a race shirt. Online registration will close November 21. Registration will be capped at 200 for the 4mile and 150 for the 8ish mile.

The 3 mile virtual you run anywhere you would like and submit your time. No awards for the virtual race.

Registration After Nov 21 , if still available, will be $40 for the 4mile and $50 for the 8mile,  cash or check only.

Early packet pick-up and registration, if still available, will take place at Bull City Running in Durham at Southpoint crossing location  Nov 22 time from 4pm to 5:45pm.

   Bull city Running, South Point Crossing, Durham

 

Race day packet pick up and registration, if still open, will start at 8:45 am.

 Cash or check only for race day registration if possible.

 

 

Awards:

Top Male & Female in both 4 and 8ish mile race.

4 mile race:

Male and Female age groups: 1-8, 9-14,15-19,20-29,30-39,40-49,50-59, 60-70, 70 and beyond

8ish mile

Female and Male age groups: 1-19,20-29,30-39,40-49,50-59, 60-69, 70 and beyond

Race Day Schedule

8;45 am –9:45 Check-in & packet pick-up
10am –  8ish mile race starts

10:15-   4 Mile race starts
11:30     awards starting with 4 mile race, then 8ish mile race  roughly 20 min later.