Lake James Races

Lake James Races take place at Whippoorwill Farm in Nebo, North Carolina, on April 10, 2027, on scenic trails running through Lake James State Park. Two distances are offered: the Lake James 7 Miler (11.3 km) at 9:00 a.m. and the Lake James 5k at 9:15 a.m. The event is open to beginners and experienced runners alike, uses chip timing, and runs rain or shine. Dogs and strollers are not allowed on the courses.

The 5K is the natural pick if you are new to running on trails, while the 7-miler is long enough to be a real endurance effort without demanding an ultra-style build. Six weeks of steady running with one longer weekend outing on unpaved ground is good preparation for it. Because the two starts are only 15 minutes apart, decide in advance which distance you want and treat the trail surface as a reason to run by effort rather than by pace.