Upcoming running, biking, triathlon, duathlon, runs and other events in the Tennessee Valley Outsider footprint. The calendar is updated periodically several months out for planning:
MAY
May 3: 9th annual Dan Robinson Memorial 10K and 5K, at Grant Town Park, hosted by the Grant Playground and Recreation Association. Proceeds benefit the Kidtopia. Scenic course with lung-testing hills (take a water bottle) and a great vibe. Register here
May 10: Smoke Rise Half-marathon, 10K and 5K, at Blevins Gap Nature Preserve at Land Trust of North Alabama site in south Huntsville. Stiff climbs, challenging trails and scenic views of east and west Huntsville. A few rocks, too. Register here
May 10: Taco Trot 5K, at Civitan Park in Guntersville, with a taco and mimosa-maragarita bar afterwards. Proceeds benefit Family Services of North Alabama, which provides aid in Victim Services & Prevention and Workforce Development & Education. The course is beside Lake Guntersville. Register here
May 10: Girls on the Run 5K, 8-10 a.m. on the UAH campus, fun event for all ages. Register here
May 24: Frantic Frog Sprint Triathlon and 5K, 8 a.m. at Goose Pond Colony in Scottsboro on Guntersville Lake. Multiple categories, and a 5K added this year. The “Half Iron” is discontinued this year. The sprint tri includes a 500-meter swim, 14-mile bike and 5K run. Register here
JUNE
June 4: The Big Run 5K, 6 p.m. at John Hunt Running Park, Huntsville, includes a cookout, ice cream and live music. Pre-registration is required; no on-site registration. Register here
June 7: Heel & Crank Duathlon, Huntsville, tentatively at Columbia High School and Cummings Research Park. Participants will do a 3-mile run, roughly 15-mile bike ride and finish with a 3-mile run. Course shifts this year from Mooresville and with a new date. Run course is Indian Creek Greenway and cycling course is the US Paralympics championship course. Register here
June 14: 24th annual Wet Dog Triathlon, at Point Mallard Park in Decatur. Wet Dog is a 400 meter open water swim, followed by a 15k bike ride and a 5k run. Wet Dog is a fundraiser for Mosaic Mentoring of North Alabama, a non-profit child and family mentoring organization. Register here
June 14: Bigfoot Trail Run, 10K and 5K, at Monte Sano State Park, first of the four summer Wild Thangs Series events at the park. Register here
JULY
July 4: Firecracker 5K, at Morningside Baptist Church on south Bailey Cove Road, Huntsville, starting at 8 a.m. Runners take off from the church, hit the Aldridge Creek Greenway and come back to finish at the church. Flat and fast! Awesome post-race refreshments, too. Register here
July 4: Freedom 5K and Independence Mile, downtown Huntsville at Big Spring Park (by the canal) starting at 7 a.m. Runners go past the Huntsville Museum of Art, through historic downtown streets and back to a raucous finish line. Plus, post-race hot dogs and goodies. Sign up for the combo to test your mile skills after the 5K. Register here
July 5: Jackalope Trail Run 8- and 4-mile, at Monte Sano State Park, second of the four summer Wild Thangs Series events at the park. Register here
July 26: Skunk Ape Trail Run, 10- and 5-mile, at Monte Sano State Park, third of the four summer Wild Thangs Series events at the park. Register here
AUGUST
August 16: Chupacabra Trail Run, Half-marathon and 10K, at Monte Sano State Park, fourth and final of the four summer Wild Thangs Series events at the park. Register here
August 23: Swinging Bridge Trail Run, Half-marathon and 10k, at Tims Ford State Park in Winchester, Tenn. Pro tip: get a cabin at the park and go up the day before to relax, rest and chill out. Register here
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 7: Boston or Bust marathon, half-marathon and 10K, at Ditto Landing and run on the Aldridge Creek Greenway in south Huntsville. Marathon is one of the final qualifiers for the 130th Boston Marathon in spring 2026. Register here
Sept. 13: Glow in the Park 5K, at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Grassy course with elevation changes, fun event at night with glow sticks, music and more. Register here
Sept. 21: Conquer the Cave 5K, road run at Cathedral Caverns State Park in Grant. Final mile is in the massive and cool Cathedral Caverns. Note that this is a Sunday morning event. Register here
Send information to TVO at info@thetvo.com
TRIATHLONS: Chattanooga Triathlon Club has an extensive list of tri, sprint-tri and other events in the region. Look Here
LOCAL GROUP RUNS
Our thanks to Jeff Plain and We Run Downtown Huntsville for this list of free, inclusive group runs in Huntsville and Madison. Search for We Run Downtown Huntsville and these other run groups on Facebook for more information:
