The Snowbird Challenge (13.1 - 26.2 - 50k & Relay)

y starts. On course The 2.62-mile loop Every 2.62 miles you come back through the start/finish, past the aid station, past your drop bag, past whoever came to cheer for you. 5:15 PM Final lap sets off 45 minutes to complete each loop. Laps set off at 45-minute intervals from 9:00 AM through 5:15 PM. Finish Medal and hangout Afterward, stick around for music and a post-race hangout with chill vibes and cool tunes. Every finisher receives a medal, and your entry supports local nonprofits through the Giving Series. After Results and photos Live results post to the RunSignUp results page as each runner finishes. Want your finish time the moment you cross the line? Sign up for result notifications by text or email. Free event photos are usually up within 48–72 hours on our Facebook page. Course or Race Highlight The loop format is what makes this race work in the middle of winter. Every 2.62 miles you come back through the start/finish, past the aid station, past your drop bag, past whoever came to cheer for you. You are never committing to more than the next lap, which has a way of turning a distance that sounded unreasonable in December into something you find yourself finishing in January. Laps go off every 45 minutes, and you have 45 minutes to complete each one — a rhythm that keeps the field together and makes the whole day feel less like a solo grind and more like a group that keeps setting out again. Afterward, stick around for music and a post-race hangout with chill vibes and cool tunes. Every finisher receives a medal, and your entry supports local nonprofits through the Giving Series. The Course A paved 2.62-mile loop with plenty of shade, winding through the 240-acre Riverwest Nature Preserve — once a golf course, now rolling cart paths, wooden bridges, waterfalls, and riverfront views. The surface is forgiving enough to hold a pace on and scenic enough that the repetition never quite gets old. You have 45 minutes to complete each loop. View the course map Lap Schedule Laps set off every 45 minutes from 9:00 AM, and you have those 45 minutes to complete each one. Finish early and you wait for the next bell with everyone else — there are no early starts. Your distance ends on its final lap, marked below. LapStarts Lap 19:00 AMAll races startLap 29:45 AM Lap 310:30 AM Lap 411:15 AM Lap 512:00 PMHalf marathon final lapLap 612:45 PM Lap 71:30 PM Lap 82:15 PM Lap 93:00 PM Lap 103:45 PMMarathon final lapLap 114:30 PM Lap 125:15 PM50K & Relay final lap Reindeer Relay teams split the twelve laps between them, with a cap on how many any one runner can take: Relay team sizeMaximum laps per runner2-person6 laps3-person4 laps4-person3 laps Parking Parking is at Riverwest Preserve, allocated in the open driving range grass field. Entry to the facility is included in your registration fee, so nothing is owed on race day. Aid Stations One aid station at the start/finish, hit once per lap. There is no aid station out on the course, and three portable toilets at the start/finish line. Available snacks PicklesCookiesChipsLittle Debbie snacks Hydration WaterTailwindCokeGinger ale Wildly Charged is our official hydration sponsor — look for the orange 5-gallon jugs at aid stations. What's Included Included with every entry Free Race Photos Professional photos of every runner, free to download after the race. Race-day perk Pick Your Own Distance A half marathon to 50K, or split it twelve ways as a relay team. What You Get Finisher Medal Every finisher Race Socks First 100 sign-ups Race Tee Add-on at registration ✓ Custom Race Bib + Chip Timing Live results with splits. ✓ Custom Race Tattoo + Stickers Race-day extras for every runner. From past races. See all race photos Race Awards Top 3 Overall (Male & Female) The fastest three finishers will each receive a trophy to honor their achievement at the front of the pack. Age Group Awards (Male & Female) The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in each of 15 age categories will earn an age group medal — a custom piece to add to your finisher's lanyard at the end of the event. Series Recognition This race counts toward season-long age group recognition in these two series: Upstate Road SeriesUpstate Ultra Series Age Group Categories 0–9 10–12 13–16 17–19 20–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–49 50–54 55–59 60–64 65–69 70–79 80+ Giving Back This race supports SC Spinal Cord Injury Association A Columbia nonprofit offering peer support, education and supplies to South Carolinians living with spinal cord injuries. They host their own race too: Superheroes in Motion. Visit SC Spinal Cord Injury AssociationSuperheroes in MotionDonate Every Upstate Race Series event is part of the Upstate Giving Series, which connects our 30 races with 30 nonprofit organizations serving communities across the Upstate. Your registration and any donation you add at checkout go to work close to home — you are not just running a race, you are funding the work of a neighbor. Upstate Giving Series. Groups & Teams $5 Discount & Refund for Groups with 5+ Members The Upstate Running Club welcomes all local and regional running clubs to our events — the more the merrier. Calling all running clubs and social run groups: Upstate Race Series welcomes crews of all kinds to join the fun. Whether your squad is full of weekend warriors, sunrise chasers, or runners motivated by the promise of a cold drink at the finish, we've got an event for you. Sign up, share with friends and local running clubs, and cash in on race discounts and refunds when your team, run club, or band of misfits hits 5 runners or more. Create or join a race group Good to Know Are dogs allowed on the course?Yes Are headphones or earbuds allowed?Yes Can someone else pick up my packet for me? No — all runners attend packet pickup 60 minutes prior to race start to receive their race bib and timing tag. Is there race-day registration? Yes, you can register on your mobile device up until the first race goes off. Is there gear check or somewhere to leave personal items? Yes — we have a sponsored Tent City area where you can set up personal tents, tables, coolers, and race gear you want access to between laps. Are there restrooms near the start/finish? Yes, there are three portable toilets at the start/finish line. Will I get a medal or a shirt? All finishers receive a medal. Race apparel can be added during registration and is mailed directly to you, or you can shop the full collection on our Apparel tab. What happens if there's bad weather? Upstate Race Series races run rain or shine. In the event of lightning, extreme heat, or hazardous winter conditions, we'll post an update on this page and email registered runners as early as possible. Entry fees aren't refunded for weather delays — see Managing Your Registration below. Can spectators come watch? Spectators are welcome. Runner parking fills up race morning — if you're only here to cheer, plan for overflow parking nearby. You'll see your runner pass by every lap. When will results and photos be available? Live results post to the RunSignUp results page as each runner finishes. Want your finish time the moment you cross the line? Sign up for result notifications by text or email. Free event photos are usually up within 48–72 hours on our Facebook page — we'll tag the album so it's easy to find. Managing Your Registration Everything about your entry lives in your RunSignUp profile. Sign in, find this race under your upcoming events, and make the change yourself — there is no need to email us first. From there you can: ✓ Transfer your entry to another runner ✓ Switch to a different distance at this race ✓ Transfer your entry to a different Upstate Race Series event ✓ Update your personal details — name, address, emergency contact, shirt size ✓ Manage add-ons, store items, and apparel purchases All entries are final. We do not offer refunds or deferrals — but every option above stays open to you right up to race day, so a change of plans does not have to mean a wasted entry. Manage my registration Let's Stay Connected Follow along, gear up, and keep up with everything Upstate Race Series This race Register Course map Directions Race groups Results Race photos Race apparel Manage my registration Series & giving Upstate Road Series Upstate Ultra Series Upstate Giving Series SC Spinal Cord Injury Association Superheroes in Motion Donate Upstate Race Series UpstateRaceSeries.com Questions? Use the contact form below or tap the chat button in the corner. Instagram @upstateraceseries Facebook: Upstate Race Series Apparel store