Huntsville Runfest

Huntsville Runfest is on October 24, 2026 in Gurley, Alabama, and it covers an unusually wide spread of distances. The 50K (about 31 miles) and the 25K (about 15.5 miles) are trail races and both start at 7:00 a.m., while the Sublett Point Challenge, a 5K, follows at 8:00. One event therefore hosts an ultra field and a short-course field on the same morning.

The 50K is a genuine ultra and asks for a long build — sixteen weeks or so, with back-to-back weekend long runs and real practice eating on the move. The 25K is the better first step onto trail if your background is road racing: long enough to teach you trail pacing, short enough to finish on a half marathon base. The 5K stands alone for anyone who just wants a hard, quick effort.