Ice Breaker 8K Run/Walk

Upstate Race Series / Upstate Trail Series

Ice Breaker 8K Run/Walk

8K

Slip, slide, and shuffle your way to an 8K trail race

Sat, Jan 30

2027

9:00 AM

start

Lakeside Park

Piedmont, SC

Register

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Eight kilometers of beginner-friendly singletrack at the end of January, when the trail is quiet and the air still has teeth in it. Minimal roots, a few gradual inclines, several undulations and switchbacks, and a central hub you pass twice. If you have been meaning to try a trail race and keep talking yourself out of it, this is the one that was built for you.

Runner Feedback

Race Day Details

Saturday, January 30, 2027 at Lakeside Park, 1500 Piedmont Hwy, Piedmont, SC 29673. Get directions.

8:00 AM

Packet pickup opens

One hour prior to race start near the starting line, at Lakeside Park adjacent to the bathrooms beyond the baseball fields — between the baseball diamonds and the football field on the east side. Look for the Green Arch.

9:00 AM

Start

You start with a short lap around the baseball diamond sidewalk before dropping into the trailhead, which gives the field room to spread out before the singletrack pinches things down.

On course

Into the singletrack

The route runs the Every Minute Trail and the All Day, Baby Trail, with several undulations, switchbacks, and a central hub you will pass twice.

Finish

Hot cocoa and a medal

Afterward there is music, post-race refreshments, hot cocoa, and a chance to connect with fellow runners. Every finisher receives a medal, and your entry supports local nonprofits through the Giving Series.

10:30 AM

Time limit

90 minutes.

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 Ice Breaker earns its name honestly. It is early in the season, it is cold at the start line, and for a lot of runners it is the first trail race they have ever done. The course was chosen with exactly that in mind — the Every Minute Trail and the All Day, Baby Trail are runnable, forgiving, and free of the technical sections that turn a first trail race into a bad memory.

You start with a short lap around the baseball diamond sidewalk before dropping into the trailhead, which gives the field room to spread out before the singletrack pinches things down. Afterward there is music, post-race refreshments, hot cocoa, and a chance to connect with fellow runners. Every finisher receives a medal, and your entry supports local nonprofits through the Giving Series.

The Course

Single-track trails that are beginner friendly with minimal roots and just a few gradual inclines. The route runs the Every Minute Trail and the All Day, Baby Trail, with several undulations, switchbacks, and a central hub you will pass twice. It opens with a short lap around the baseball diamond sidewalk before entering the trailhead.

View the course map

Aid Stations

There are no aid stations on the course. Refreshments and hot cocoa are waiting at the finish.

Available snacks

Post-race refreshments

Hydration

Hot cocoa at the finish

What's Included

Included with every entry

Free Race Photos

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

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.

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 this series:

Upstate Trail 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

Just Say Something

A Greenville nonprofit that helps parents and kids talk openly about drugs and alcohol through school talks, parenting classes and youth programs. They host their own race too: Red Ribbon 5K.

Visit Just Say SomethingRed Ribbon 5KDonate 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 Are headphones or earbuds allowed?Yes Can someone else pick up my packet for me?No

Is there race-day registration?

Yes, you can register using your mobile device up until the race starts.

Where are the start and finish lines?

Same place as packet pickup — look for the green arch and green tent when you arrive.

Is there gear check or somewhere to leave personal items?

No, but your car will be parked very close to the action, so you will have easy access.

Are there restrooms near the start/finish?

Yes, there are bathrooms 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.

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

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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 Giving Series

Just Say Something

Red Ribbon 5K

Donate

Upstate Race Series

UpstateRaceSeries.com

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