Cycling & running events in Florence, 2026

Florence Base Miles

Running: Florence runners use the Rail Trail when they want easy miles without making it complicated. The trail runs 00 miles on paved, boardwalk, and natural surface, so Z2 and light intervals both fit. Rail Trail Connections adds about 10 miles, and Freedom Florence Connections runs north-south with about eight miles. South Florence High School Cross Country Team keeps the school scene visible. Back2School 5K, Rotary Club of Florence Forget Me Not 5K, Florence Freedom 5K, Run Like A Nut, and Run for the Heroes 5K, 10K, & Fun Walk give the calendar its anchor events.

Cycling: Florence riders get their work from dirt, gravel, and steady road miles more than big climbs. There's no gravel mileage tracked in the area. add short gravel or dirt pieces for mixed rides. 5%. The climbs are rollers, not mountains. The brief names no cycling club or anchor bike race here.

Season: Autumn, winter, and spring are the best training months because Florence stays mild and lets runners and riders stack base miles. Summer changes the rhythm because Florence gets very hot and humid, so locals move workouts early and keep the hard stuff tight. The Florence Rail Trail runs dawn to dusk, and that window matters when the heat is up. Winter brings occasional nights below freezing, but Florence rarely gets extended cold or snow. Runners keep 5K legs alive, and cyclists keep Z2 rolling without needing a winter reset.