The 16 Hour Lock-In

The 16 Hour Lock-In is a trail event held in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, on November 21, 2026. Rather than a fixed distance, the race gives you a 16-hour window: you cover as much ground as you can before the clock runs out, and your final distance is your result. The start time is not listed in the race details yet.

Timed events like this suit a wide range of runners. Ultrarunners can use the full 16 hours to chase a big mileage number, while first-time ultra entrants can set a target such as 50K or 50 miles and stop when they reach it. The key to a long timed race is consistency: settle into a pace you could hold all day, walk when the terrain calls for it, and eat small amounts early and often. Prepare with a steady build of trail long runs, including a few back-to-back weekend sessions, and practice your nutrition and gear choices before race day rather than during it.