16th Annual Camp Chestnut Ridge Trail Races

🏞️ Event Overview

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

📍 Location

• Venue: Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center in beautiful Efland, NC.
• Course: The race will be run entirely on the camp's single track trails and roads (dirt and gravel).
• Features: Rolling hills through old hardwood forests with rocks, roots, and sometimes mud/water.
• Race Options: A 4ish mile race, an 8ish mile race, and a 3 mile virtual race.

🥳 Race Details

• Water Stations: There will be 3 staffed water stations for the 8ish mile and one for the 4 mile.
• Walkers: Walkers are welcome on the 4 mile trail.
• Restrictions: Please no pets or baby strollers in the race. Both races will close at 12:00pm.
• Childcare: We will also be providing childcare while you run, if needed.

🎧 Safety Rules

• No Headphones: This is a “no headphones” event for the safety of all participants.
• Communication: Runners wanting to pass should give a shout out "on your left/right".
• Respect Rules: Please be respectful of these rules for the safety of other runners.
• Shirts: Those that sign up for the virtual race will have their shirts mailed to them.

💖 Beneficiary

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 inclement weather or unsafe conditions, no refunds will be made. Please keep this in mind.

🗣️ Comments from Participants

This was my 2nd chestnut ridge race and like last year it was awesome! Beautiful setting, wonderful people, good cause...

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!!!

📝 Registration Details

• Cost: $30 for the 4-mile and $40 for the 8ish mile online.
• Registration Deadline: Participants registering by Nov 3rd will be guaranteed a race shirt.
• Virtual Race: The 3 mile virtual you run anywhere you would like and submit your time. No awards for the virtual race.
• Packet Pick-up: Early packet pick-up and registration will take place at Bull City Running in Durham.

🏆 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 am: Check-in & packet pick-up.
• 10:00 am: 8ish mile race starts.
• 10:15 am: 4 mile race starts.
• 11:30 am: Awards starting with 4 mile race, then 8ish mile race roughly 20 min later.

For more information and to register, visit the official race page.