The Snowbird Challenge (13.1 - 26.2 - 50k & Relay)
Date and time
Saturday, January 23, 2027
Location
2959 New Easley Hwy, Greenville, SC
Date and time
Saturday, January 23, 2027
Location
2959 New Easley Hwy, Greenville, SC
Date and time
Saturday, January 23, 2027
Location
2959 New Easley Hwy, Greenville, SC
Upstate Race Series
The Snowbird Challenge
Riverwest Preserve · Greenville, SC
Waddle, waddle, welcome, pals
Participant Feedback
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A 2.62-mile paved loop through a 240-acre nature preserve that used to be a golf course, run as many times as you have the legs for. Five miles, a half, a full, 50K, or twelve laps split across a relay team of friends — you decide how deep into January you want to go. Rolling cart paths, wooden bridges, waterfalls, and riverfront views, over and over, until you are done.
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.
Race Day Details
WhatThe Snowbird Challenge — 5 Mile, 13.1, 26.2, and 50K solo, plus the Reindeer Relay (12 × 2.62 miles)WhenSaturday, January 23, 2027 — 9:00 AM sharp. The relay runs 9:00 AM to 5:45 PM.WhereRiverwest Preserve, Greenville, SCAddress2959 New Easley Hwy, Greenville, SC 29611Packet PickupAn hour before the race at the start/finish area. All runners attend packet pickup 60 minutes prior to race start to receive their race bib and timing tag.Time Limit45 minutes to complete each loop. Laps set off at 45-minute intervals from 9:00 AM through 5:15 PM.
Course
A paved 2.6-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 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 AM5 Mile final lapLap 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 runner 2-person6 laps 3-person4 laps 4-person3 laps
Parking
Parking is at Riverwest Preserve, allocated in the open driving range grass field. Note that there is a $5 special use permit fee that will gain you entry into the facilities on race day — plan for it so it is not a surprise at the gate.
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:
Pickles Cookies Chips Little Debbie snacks
Hydration:
Water Tailwind Coke Ginger ale
Wildly Charged is our official hydration sponsor — look for the orange 5-gallon jugs at aid stations.
What's Included
Pick Your Own Distance
Five miles to 50K, or split it twelve ways as a relay team.
Custom Race Bib
Your badge of the journey.
Chip Timing & Live Results
Track your effort, splits included.
Custom Finisher Medal
To commemorate the triumph.
Custom Race Tattoo
Wear the moment proudly.
Event-Themed Giveaways
A little extra swag for finishing strong.
Race Sticker
Keep the memory riding shotgun on your bottle, cooler, or laptop.
Post Race Vibes and Media Coverage
Complimentary professional race photos capture the grit and the glory — hang around at the finish line and celebrate.
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 Series Upstate 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
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.
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. Shirts can be purchased during registration or from our Apparel Now store, shipped directly to you.
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. 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
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★Apparel Storeupstateraceseries.myshopify.com
⌂WebsiteUpstateRaceSeries.com
31.1 mi
Half marathon
5.0 mi
Marathon