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

Upstate Race Series / Upstate Road Series / Upstate Ultra Series

The Snowbird Challenge

50K–26.2–13.1

Relay available

Waddle, waddle, welcome, pals

Sat, Jan 23

2027

9:00 AM

start

Riverwest Preserve

Greenville, SC

Register

Course mapDirectionsRace groupsDonateResultsRace photosApparel

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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. 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.

Runner Feedback

Race Day Details

Saturday, January 23, 2027 at Riverwest Preserve, 2959 New Easley Hwy, Greenville, SC 29611. Get directions.

8:00 AM

Packet pickup opens

An 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.

9:00 AM

All races start

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.

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

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

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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 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:

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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 Road Series

Upstate Ultra Series

Upstate Giving Series

SC Spinal Cord Injury Association

Superheroes in Motion

Donate

Upstate Race Series

UpstateRaceSeries.com

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