The Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon & 7.5 Mile is a must-run trail race in Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area – Pine Hill Trail Head in North Carolina, designed for runners, ruckers, and hikers looking to opt outside on Black Friday instead of fighting shopping crowds. Held at the scenic …
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The Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon & 7.5 Mile is a must-run trail race in Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area – Pine Hill Trail Head in North Carolina, designed for runners, ruckers, and hikers looking to opt outside on Black Friday instead of fighting shopping crowds. Held at the scenic Cane Creek Mountains area, this late-morning trail event lets you sleep in, enjoy crisp fall air, and run off your Thanksgiving meal on well-marked single-track trails.
Choose between a trail half marathon or trail 7.5 mile, with both run and ruck options available—making this race accessible to first-time trail runners and experienced trail athletes alike.
This North Carolina trail race has quickly become a favorite Thanksgiving weekend tradition. The course features groomed trails, clear signage at every turn, taped-off incorrect paths, and multiple aid stations to keep you fueled. Expect a mix of smooth single-track, moderate roots and rocks, and rolling climbs that provide challenge without being overly technical. Whether this is your first trail race or your goal event for the season, Black Toenail Friday delivers a fun, supportive, and scenic experience—without the stress of early alarms or crowded roads.
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Another great event by Trivium
The course was more technical than I expected compared to other trail runs I have done. A LOT of rocks and roots that were quite often hidden by leaves. That's … MORE
The course was more technical than I expected compared to other trail runs I have done. A LOT of rocks and roots that were quite often hidden by leaves. That’s not a knock on the event, just be prepared to be challenged
Aid stations, volunteers, course guides and event staff were amazing as they always are with Trivium events. The pre-race instructions were helpful because I had never been on this course and it reliefed some stress that I had being in a new place
I love the hoodie and ‘award winner’ coffee mug. The hoodie was an additional option and I wish more races would offer upgrades like this. The shirt design was very pixelated (as seems to often be the case with their events) and the wooden finisher metal was a disappointment
The later start provided a little bit of warmer weather and helped those who had a busy Thanksgiving the day before
I could definitely see me doing this event again next year!
Rocks galore!
This is a new race in NC. I'm writing this from the view of a newbie to trail running (definitely not to running though). This was a hard race. You … MORE
This is a new race in NC. I’m writing this from the view of a newbie to trail running (definitely not to running though). This was a hard race. You really need to be experienced to attempt this. There are lots of rocks, roots and ups and downs on this course. It’s very pretty though and you pass the new fire tower on the course. The race director had a special item if you climbed the tower, however, as I am recovering from a knee injury, I did not. The race was well organized though and well marked.