Experience the thrill of trail running at the Sandhills Trail Race, held at the stunning Sesquicentennial State Park. This diverse event offers something for everyone, with race options ranging from a 7.5-mile run to a grueling 30-hour endurance challenge. Nestled in the scenic Sandhills region, the course winds through the campground, the enchanting woods, and around the serene lake, providing a varied and picturesque backdrop for your running adventure. Whether you're a seasoned ultrarunner or just starting your trail running journey, the Sandhills Trail Race promises an unforgettable experience that tests your limits and immerses you in nature.

The Sandhills Trail Race is designed to showcase the natural beauty and diverse terrain of Sesquicentennial State Park. Runners will navigate through dense forests, sandy trails, and around the pristine lake, each section offering its unique challenges and rewards. The 7.5-mile race is perfect for those looking for a shorter yet rewarding run, while the 25k and 50k options provide more seasoned runners with a chance to push their boundaries. For the ultimate test of endurance, the 30-hour race challenges participants to see how far they can go, navigating the trails under the stars and experiencing the park in a whole new light.

Join a community of passionate runners at the Sandhills Trail Race, where camaraderie and mutual support are as integral to the experience as the race itself. With well-stocked aid stations, a dedicated race crew, and the stunning natural beauty of Sesquicentennial State Park, this event is more than just a race – it's a celebration of trail running and the great outdoors. Whether you're chasing a personal best, enjoying a day in nature, or embarking on an epic endurance challenge, the Sandhills Trail Race offers an opportunity to connect with fellow runners and create lasting memories. Register today and prepare to conquer the trails in one of South Carolina's most beautiful state parks!

Welcome to the Annual Year of the Sandhills Trail & Ultra Festival that will be held at this urban State Park in Columbia South Carolina! Sesquicentennial State Park is a state park located in Columbia, South Carolina. It covers an area of over 300 acres and features various recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, picnic areas, and a lake for boating. The park is known for its scenic beauty, with dense forests, streams, and wetlands making up much of its terrain. Sesquicentennial State Park was established in 1993 to commemorate South Carolina's 150th anniversary of statehood, and it remains a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. 

Sesquicentennial State Park features a network of hiking trails that offer visitors a chance to explore the park's diverse landscapes and wildlife. The trails vary in length and difficulty, ranging from short, easy walks to longer, more strenuous hikes. Some of the trails follow the streams and wetlands, providing opportunities for bird-watching and other wildlife viewing, while others wind through the dense forests and offer scenic views of the surrounding landscape. In addition to hiking trails, the park also has a number of bridle trails for horseback riding. Overall, the trail system at Sesquicentennial State Park offers a variety of options for visitors looking to enjoy the park's natural beauty and recreation opportunities.

Event Distances

• What: 30 Hour Run - 50k - 25k - 7.5 Mile

• Where: Sesqui State Park 
  

• Address: 9564 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, SC 29223

• When: February 15th 2025 @ 9am All Races Start
  

• Packet Pickup: will be held at Shelter #2 one hour prior to race start time

• Event Shirts - Our local apparel vendor (Graphic Cow) will be processing all shirt orders. Please follow the link below to pre-order a shirt from the list of races. All race specific shirts will be mailed directly to your home address after the event to commemorate your race experience! The store link will be open until the Monday after each race.

  • SHIRT ORDER FORM HERE

Race Details 

• Sandhills 30 Hour

  • Buckles for 100 Mile Finishers

  • 13 Laps to 100

• Sandhills 50k 

  • 4 lap race

• Sesqui 25k

  • 2 Lap race

• Sesqui 7.5 Mile

  • 1 Lap Race

Sandhills Course Description - HERE - Elevation Gain Per 7.75 mile loop - 390 Feet

The course is a 7.75 mile loop that rolls through several sections north of the main trail but comes back to some beautiful and fast single track trails around the lake. The terrain consist of clean single track trails, wider softer trails, and some paved sections around the lake. The looped course runs through the open field where runners can set up personal aid stations if they are not reserving a campsite at the campground. 

Address / Parking / Day Use

Runners will be asked to purchase a day use pass. If you have a state park pass you do not have to pay that fee. Sesquicentennial State Park is located: 9564 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, SC 29223. Once you enter the park you will drive all the way to the lake parking lot near the ranger station! If you are setting up a 10 x 10 personal tent to be used throughout the day you can follow the driveway next to the ranger station to an open field that we can use for parking which will be located right near our start and finish line. If you are running one of the shorter distances please utilize the main parking lot adjacent to the lake so we can free up space in our field. It’s a 200 meter walk from the parking lot to the 2nd Shelter located in that field behind the ranger station and lake.

30 Hour Participants: limited support between 10pm and 6am as our volunteers and staff will be catching up on some sleep. Our timing system will be operating collecting laps from all of our runners. In the event of a medical emergency please contact 911 directly. In the event you are finished and do not wish to continue through the night please leave your timing chip at the timing table and please grab your finisher medal that will be available at the finish line. You do not need to report in if you plan on take some rest between laps even if that nap turns into a 6 hour coma! It happens to the best of us!

Aid Station

We will have an aid station at the start/finish line. Items may include: pickles, cookies, chips, Little Debbie snacks, assorted candy, chicken/veggie broth, fig newtons, & pretzels. Liquids will include water, Tailwind Nutrition, coke, and ginger ale. If you would like to donate an aid station supply of something that we do not offer or that is homemade feel free! Cup-less Event: Please provide your own hydration vessel for use at our aid stations