Culture & History: North Carolina is a state of “firsts.” It was the site of the first attempted English settlement at Roanoke Island (the famous “Lost Colony”) and the location of the Wright Brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903. Its nickname, the “Tar Heel State,” dates back to the colonial era when the region was a leading producer of pine tar, used to waterproof wooden ships; legend has it that soldiers would “stick” to their positions in battle like tar.

Nature Highlights: The state is a topographical masterpiece, stretching from the Outer Banks (shifting barrier islands) to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is home to Mount Mitchell, which at 6,684 feet is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. In the coastal plains, you can find the Venus Flytrap, which grows natively only within a 60-mile radius of Wilmington.

Runner Highlights: For a bucket-list experience, run the American Tobacco Trail, a 22-mile “rail-to-trail” project that follows the old tracks used to haul tobacco leaf. If you prefer dirt, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) offers a massive challenge—spanning 1,175 miles across the entire state. For a local favorite, the Raleigh Greenway System provides over 100 miles of paved trails connecting the “City of Oaks.” If you like running past massive waterfalls like Triple Falls and High Falls, go to DuPont State Recreational Forest.

Fun Fact: North Carolina was the home of Harriette Thompson, who in 2015 became the oldest woman to complete a marathon at age 92. It is also the birthplace of NASCAR, which evolved from “moonshine runners” modifying their cars to outrun the law on winding mountain roads—essentially the high-speed motorized cousins of trail running.

Expert Guide Tip: If you’re running in the Uwharrie National Forest, you are technically running on the remains of some of the oldest mountains in North America. While they only reach about 1,000 feet today, they were once estimated to be as tall as the Himalayas!