Wild Azalea Trail Challenge
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Event overview
The Wild Azalea Trail Challenge is scheduled for Saturday, January 3, 2026, in the Evangeline Ranger District of Kisatchie National Forest, near Alexandria, Louisiana and Valentine Lake. This is the 14th edition of the event. Registered competition classes include trail running and mountain biking across multiple distances. Registration closes on Friday, January 2 at 11:59 PM CT.
- 50 Mile Run
- 50 MTB
- 27 Miler
- 27 MTB
- 1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles)
- 10 K
Course and logistics
The event uses the Wild Azalea Trail, a mapped and maintained trail system that is 26 miles long and described as the longest continuous trail in Louisiana. The trail has visible half-mile markers and passes through varied ecosystems, including lower hardwood areas with creeks and higher sections with Longleaf Pines. Organizers describe navigation on the trail as easy and reasonable.
There is an overall evening cut-off for races and a 14-hour time limit for the 50-mile event. Participants receive a Wild Azalea T-shirt; a lightweight hoodie is available for purchase. Organizers use a Facebook group for event updates and participant information. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
