Dark Horse Trail Series (26.2 - 13.1 - 10k)

Upstate Race Series / Upstate Trail Series / Upstate Ultra Series

Dark Horse Trail Series

26.2–13.1–10K

"To Make an Impact… Risk Being a Dark Horse"

Sat, Aug 14

2027

8:00 AM

start

Tryon Equestrian Center

Mill Spring, NC

Register

Course mapDirectionsRace groupsDonateResultsRace photosApparel

“

The Dark Horse Trail Series is a loop course with a simple promise: the same 6.5-mile stretch of dirt and single-track, run as many times as your distance demands. Pick your fight — 10K, half, or full marathon — and let the meadows of a working equestrian center test how many loops you've got in you. This is a race built around a motto, not just a mileage: to make an impact, you have to be willing to risk being the dark horse — the runner nobody saw coming.

Runner Feedback

Race Day Details

Saturday, August 14, 2027 at Tryon Equestrian Center, 25 International Blvd, Mill Spring, NC 28756. Get directions.

7:00 AM

Packet pickup opens

Start/Finish Line — Green Timing & Check-In tent near the General Store, opening 1 hour before your event.

8:00 AM

Start

Dark Horse Marathon (26.2mi) · Half Marathon (13.1mi) · 10K.

On course

The 6.5-mile loop

The course consists of a 6.5-mile loop that meanders through the equestrian center with a mixture of wide packed dirt paths, single-track trails, and meadows, offering 600 feet of elevation gain per loop.

Each loop

Back through the start

Because every distance shares the same loop, you'll pass the start/finish area — and the aid station, and the crowd — every single time around, whether you're out there for one loop or four.

2:00 PM

Time limit

Marathon runners have 6 hours to complete the course, but must start their last lap before the 5-hour mark.

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

Choose your distance: the Dark Horse Marathon (26.2 miles), the Dark Horse Half Marathon (13.1 miles), or the Dark Horse 10K — all run out of the Tryon Equestrian Center, a working horse park in the foothills of Mill Spring, North Carolina.

The course consists of a 6.5-mile loop that meanders through the equestrian center, with a mixture of wide packed dirt paths, single-track trails, and open meadows, gaining 600 feet of elevation per loop. Your registered distance determines how many times around you'll go — the terrain doesn't change from lap to lap, but your legs will have an opinion about it by the last one.

Because every distance shares the same loop, you'll pass the start/finish area — and the aid station, and the crowd — every single time around, whether you're out there for one loop or four.

The Course

The course consists of a 6.5-mile loop that meanders through the equestrian center with a mixture of wide packed dirt paths, single-track trails, and meadows, offering 600 feet of elevation gain per loop. Marathon, half, and 10K runners all share the same terrain — just a different number of trips around it.

View the course map

Aid Stations

There is one aid station, located at the start and finish line — since every distance shares the same loop, you'll pass it every time around.

Available snacks

PicklesCookiesChipsFig NewtonsPretzels

Hydration

WaterCokeGinger Ale

Wildly Charged is our official hydration sponsor — look for the orange 5-gallon jugs at aid stations.

Cup-less event — please bring your own hydration vessel.

What's Included

Included with every entry

Free Race Photos

Professional photos of every runner, free to download after the race.

Race-day perk

Park Entry Included

Roll in ready to run — no gate fee to worry about.

What You Get

Finisher Medal

Every finisher

Race Socks

First 100 sign-ups

Race Tee

Add-on at registration

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Custom Race Bib + Chip Timing Live results with splits.

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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 consistency and performance recognition across the season in these three series:

Upstate Trail SeriesUpstate Ultra SeriesUpstate Youth 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.

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

Prisma Health Patient Assistance Fund

A Prisma Health fund in Greenville that helps local transplant patients with the costs that come with treatment. They host their own race too: Transplant Trot.

Transplant TrotDonate 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

SAVE

$5

GROUPS OF 5+

RUN CLUBS & CREWS

Run it with your crew.

Your club is probably already here. Join it when you register and save when your group hits 5.

1

Find your club

50+ Upstate run clubs are preloaded.

2

Join at sign-up

Pick it during registration, or start your own crew.

3

Hit 5 runners

Everyone in the group saves $5. Early sign-ups get it back automatically.

ALREADY ON THE LIST

Upstate Running ClubRockers Run ClubWR@DRunning for BrewsSwamp CommonersHub City RunnersDouble Stamp Run Club+ 44 more

Find your clubRegister with your crew

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, absolutely — just keep them maintained on a leash.

Are headphones or earbuds allowed?

Yes, jam away — just do not miss an arrow or a turn while you are rocking out.

Can someone else pick up my packet for me?

Negative, Ghost Rider.

Is there race-day registration?

Yes, you can register with your mobile device on race day.

Is there gear check or somewhere to leave personal items?

Yes — there is a long open grass field (uncovered) where runners can stash their belongings between laps, right at the start/finish line of the 10K race loop.

Are there restrooms near the start/finish or on course?

There are porta-johns at the start/finish line and a couple out on the course, along with plenty of woods. Yeah, we said it.

Will I get a medal or a shirt?

All participants receive a medal. If you are unable to complete the distance you signed up for, we will drop you down to the next available distance. 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.

Is there cell service at the venue?

Cell service is limited here — make a plan with anyone meeting you post-race before you lose signal.

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:

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Transfer your entry to another runner

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Switch to a different distance at this race

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Transfer your entry to a different Upstate Race Series event

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Update your personal details — name, address, emergency contact, shirt size

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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 Trail Series

Upstate Ultra Series

Upstate Giving Series

Transplant Trot

Donate

Upstate Race Series

UpstateRaceSeries.com

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