True to the Brew 5K

Palmetto Trail · True to the Brew Trail Race Series

True to the Brew 5K

An urban trail 5K along the Capital City Passage of the Palmetto Trail, finishing with burgers, ale and live music.

Saturday, March 6, 2027 · Palmetto Trail HQ · Columbia, SC

About the Race

The True to the Brew 5K – Capital City Passage offers an exciting urban trail course! Join us on Saturday, March 6 for the first 2027 race in the Palmetto Trail Race Series and the True to the Brew Trifecta: 5K, 10K and 13.1.

This 5K guides participants through downtown Columbia along the Capital City Passage of the Palmetto Trail. Runners and walkers alike will enjoy exploring the city's vibrant atmosphere while still being on a true Palmetto Trail course. We encourage you to sign up your entire family. This race is great for all ages!

Field size: the race is capped at 500 participants, and True to the Brew events are known to sell out. Hurry and sign up to secure your spot.

Race Day Details

DateSaturday, March 6, 2027Start Time9:00 AM sharpStart/FinishNear the Palmetto Trail Headquarters 722 King Street, Columbia, SC 29205Packet PickupFriday, March 5, 4:00 to 6:30 PM at Craft & Draft on Devine Street (show your bib for a free beer) Race day from 7:30 AM at the Palmetto Trail Offices, 722 King StreetParkingBethel AME Church lot, 819 Woodrow Street, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PMAwards CeremonyAbout 11:15 AM near the finish line

The Events

True to the Brew 5K · 9:00 AM

An urban trail course on the Capital City Passage. Runners, walkers, strollers and leashed dogs are all welcome.

Current prices are shown when you click Sign Up.

Race Morning Timeline

Fri 4:00 PMPacket pickup at Craft & Draft on Devine Street, until 6:30 PM7:30 AMRace day packet pickup opens at the Palmetto Trail Offices, 722 King Street8:00 AMParking opens at the Bethel AME Church lot, 819 Woodrow Street9:00 AMRace starts on the Capital City Passage11:15 AMAwards ceremony (approximate) near the finish line

Course

Get ready for our exciting new course along the Capital City Passage! Local expert Ken Lowden designed the course to be both challenging and rewarding. Check the course map above for the full route and elevation gain. The race starts and finishes near our Palmetto Trail office on King Street. It's perfect for runners and walkers, and strollers and dogs on a leash are welcome.

Start/Finish on Google Maps

Parking

Parking will be available at the Bethel AME Church parking lot, 819 Woodrow Street, Columbia, SC, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on race day. Please don't park in any reserved spaces within this lot.

Additional street parking is available throughout the Old Shandon neighborhood. Please do not park along King Street, as this area must remain clear for the race.

Packet Pickup

Friday at Craft & Draft

Join us for packet pickup on Friday, March 5, from 4:00 to 6:30 PM at Craft & Draft on Devine Street in Columbia. Craft & Draft is known for its welcoming atmosphere and local brews, making it the perfect spot to gear up for race day. Show your race bib at pickup and you'll receive a free beer to kick off the weekend!

Race Day Packet Pickup

Race day packet pickup opens at 7:30 AM at the Palmetto Trail Offices, 722 King Street, conveniently near the start and finish line. The race starts promptly at 9:00 AM.

What's Included

Finisher medal: a custom bottle opener medal for every finisher

Long sleeve shirt: a soft blend long sleeve race shirt in adult and kids sizes, great for cool morning runs (a No Shirt option is available at registration)

Cookout: fresh-off-the-grill hamburgers, veggie burgers and grilled cheese with all the fixings

Palmetto Trail Ale: a complimentary Palmetto Trail Ale from Craft & Draft

Live music at the finish line celebration

Team awards for the top three teams

All race shirts must be picked up at packet pickup. We are not able to hold shirts or mail them after the race.

Finish Line Celebration

The True to the Brew Series is famous for its unforgettable finish line celebrations, and this race is no exception! After you cross the finish line, follow the aroma of fresh-off-the-grill hamburgers, veggie burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches, all cooked on the Palmetto Trail grill and loaded with all the fixings.

Cool down with a complimentary Palmetto Trail Ale from Craft & Draft, and enjoy live music, great company and an unbeatable atmosphere. Stick around for our awards ceremony and plenty of post-race fun.

Join a Team and Save

Gather your crew! Create or join a team when you register, and once your team reaches 5 runners, every member gets $5 back on their registration. It's a perfect way to bring family, friends or coworkers together for a fun, rewarding run. Plus, our top three teams will receive a special award.

Create or Join a Team

Race Awards

Finisher medal: every finisher receives a custom bottle opener medal

Overall: top 3 male and top 3 female

Masters (40 and over): top 3 male and top 3 female

Age groups: top 3 male and female in each age group: 0-9, 10-12, 13-16, 17-19, 20-29, then 5-year groups from 30-34 through 65-69, 70-79 and 80 and over

Teams: special awards for the top three teams

Join us at about 11:15 AM for the awards ceremony. All awards must be picked up at the ceremony. If you need to leave early, please see a staff member or have a friend pick up your award. We are not able to hold or ship awards after the race.

True to the Brew Series Scoring

This race is part of the 2027 True to the Brew Trail Race Series: the 5K (March 6), the 10K (April 3), the 13.1 (October 2) and the 26.2 (fall, date to be announced). Run one or run them all.

Automatic entry. Every finisher is entered in the series and scored by finishing position within their age group and gender: 10 points for 1st, 9 for 2nd, down to 2 for 9th, and 1 point for every other finisher. Points from all four races add up, so the more races you finish, the higher you climb. Use the same RunSignUp profile for every race so your results match.

Age groups are based on your age on December 31, 2027: 19 and under, 20-29, then five-year groups from 30-34 through 65-69, 70-79 and 80 and over.

Series awards. The top 3 men and top 3 women in each age group earn series awards at the end of the year, and anyone who finishes all four races earns a special four-race finisher award. Prize details will be announced before the 5K in March.

Series PageSeries Standings

Supporting the Palmetto Trail

Proceeds benefit the Palmetto Conservation Foundation and go directly toward expanding and maintaining the Palmetto Trail across South Carolina. Their mission is to foster an appreciation for South Carolina's natural and cultural resources, providing opportunities for active recreation on the Palmetto Trail and other trail systems that can be enjoyed by all in South Carolina, regardless of gender, race, creed, age or ability.

Your participation helps build this incredible resource that connects the state's mountains to its sea.

About the Palmetto TrailDonate to the Palmetto Trail

Race Policies

This race is rain or shine.

All entries are final: no refunds and no deferrals.

You can transfer your entry to another runner in your RunSignUp profile until March 5, 2027; the new runner pays a $5 transfer fee.

Shirts must be picked up at packet pickup and awards at the awards ceremony. We cannot hold or mail shirts or awards.

The race is capped at 500 participants.

Good to Know

Can I register on race day?

No. Online registration closes at 11:59 PM on Friday, March 5, and the race is capped at 500 participants. True to the Brew events are known to sell out, so register early.

Can I get a refund, defer my entry or transfer it?

All entries are final: no refunds and no deferrals. You can transfer your entry to another runner yourself in your RunSignUp profile until March 5, 2027; the new runner pays a $5 transfer fee.

Is this race good for families?

Yes. This race is great for all ages, and we encourage you to sign up your entire family. Shirts come in adult and kids sizes.

Can I bring a stroller or my dog?

Yes. Strollers and dogs on a leash are welcome.

When and where is packet pickup?

Friday, March 5, 4:00 to 6:30 PM at Craft & Draft on Devine Street. Show your bib for a free beer. Race-day pickup opens at 7:30 AM at the Palmetto Trail Offices, 722 King Street.

What time should I arrive?

Parking opens at 8:00 AM and the race starts at 9:00 AM sharp. Plan to arrive one hour before the start, by 8:00 AM, so you have time to park, pick up your packet and get to the start.

Where do I park?

The Bethel AME Church lot, 819 Woodrow Street, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, or street parking in the Old Shandon neighborhood. Please don't park in reserved spaces or along King Street.

What kind of course is it?

An urban trail course on the Capital City Passage of the Palmetto Trail through downtown Columbia, starting and finishing near the Palmetto Trail office on King Street. It's great for runners and walkers.

Will I get a shirt?

Every registration includes a long sleeve race shirt in adult and kids sizes, with a No Shirt option at registration. Shirts must be picked up at packet pickup; we cannot hold or mail them after the race.

Do teams get a discount?

Yes. Once your team reaches 5 runners, every member gets $5 back on their registration, and the top three teams receive a special award.

What happens if there is bad weather?

The race is rain or shine. If conditions are unsafe, updates will be posted on this page and emailed to registered runners.

When and where are results posted?

On this race's RunSignUp results page. Opt in during registration to get a text or email with your time when you finish.

How are awards scored?

Awards are scored by chip time, measured from when you cross the start mat to when you cross the finish. Awards go three deep: overall male and female, masters (40 and over) male and female, and each age group: 0-9, 10-12, 13-16, 17-19, 20-29, then 5-year groups from 30-34 through 65-69, 70-79 and 80 and over. No one wins more than one award: overall winners are not counted in masters or age groups, and masters winners are not counted in age groups.

Do I have to be present to receive my award?

Awards are given at the ceremony at about 11:15 AM. If you need to leave early, a friend can pick up your award at the ceremony. We are not able to hold or ship awards after the race.

Can I donate without running?

Yes. Every donation supports the Palmetto Trail. Use the Donate button on this page.

Let's Stay Connected

Everything about your entry lives in your RunSignUp profile. Sign in, find this race under your upcoming events, and transfer your entry, edit your details, shirt size and emergency contact yourself.

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Questions? Use the contact form or tap the chat button in the corner.

Contact the Race Director