In 48 days · Sat, Dec 19, 2026
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Saturday, December 19th, 2026
220 Lakewood Drive, Greenville SC
5K
37–53°F · low rain risk
See last 10 years
On this date: rain 1 of the last 10 years
2025
42–60°F
dry
2024
45–57°F
dry
2023
29–44°F
dry
2022
27–47°F
dry
2021
46–62°F
rain
2020
27–47°F
dry
2019
28–46°F
dry
2018
36–53°F
dry
2017
43–65°F
dry
2016
38–42°F
dry
Best months to race in South Carolina →
About this race
Two festive loops of 1.5 miles each through the wild and whimsical woods of Lakewood, on a grass cross-country style route, wide and rolling and sprinkled with just enough hills to jingle your bells. Wear the worst sweater you own. There is cash on the line for it.
Race Day Details
Saturday, December 19, 2026 at Lakewood Nature Preserve, 220 Lakewood Drive, Greenville, SC 29607. Get directions.
Course or Race Highlight
A grass cross-country course is a rare thing to get to race on as an adult, and it is a completely different feeling from road or singletrack — wide, forgiving, and fast in a way that has nothing to do with pace. Two loops means spectators see you twice, which matters more than usual at a race where half the point is being looked at.
The Tacky Sweater Contest is judged at a tent after the race, with $50, $25, and $10 on the line and both team and solo competition. Spectator votes count — loud cheers, claps, and votes at the post-race party help crown the People's Choice. Kick back by the barn, soak up the holly-jolly vibes, and enjoy festive tunes, fun photo ops, and all the cozy feels.
The Course
Two festive loops of 1.5 miles each through the wild and whimsical woods of Lakewood, on a grass cross-country style route — wide and rolling, sprinkled with just enough hills to jingle your bells.
View the course mapParking
Follow the parking signs at 220 Lakewood Drive. The parking fee is included in your registration, and your car will be parked adjacent to the finish line for easy access. There are four portable toilets on site.
Aid Stations
No water on course, but there is water at the finish line.
Available snacks
Hydration
What's Included
$50 for first, $25 for second, $10 for third. Team and solo competition.
Your badge of the journey.
Track your effort, splits included.
To commemorate the triumph.
Wear the moment proudly.
A little extra swag for finishing strong.
Keep the memory riding shotgun on your bottle, cooler, or laptop.
Loud cheers, claps, and votes at the post-race party help crown the People's Choice.
Covered by your registration, adjacent to the finish line.
Complimentary professional race photos capture the grit and the glory — hang around at the finish line and celebrate.
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:
Series Awards
Run the series and earn more than a finish:
Series Finisher — finish 5 races in a series to earn that series’ Finisher coin and Finisher tee. Free and earned on the course, never sold.
Upstate 250 Club — log 250 or more race miles across Upstate Race Series events in a season to earn the 250 Club buckle.
The Anchor Award — the runner with the most race miles across the Upstate Race Series keeps the Anchor Award for the year, and their name goes on it for good.
Giving Back
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
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.
Good to Know
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:
Let's Stay Connected
Follow along, gear up, and keep up with everything Upstate Race Series
Course map
Train with a club
Run clubs near Greenville to train with before race day.
Upstate Running Club
Greenville, SCSuggested Races
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