Donations through Upstate Race Series Supports the Giving Series and 30 Local Non Profits

Old-fashioned things like fresh air & sunshine are hard to find

($15: Ages 1 - 17)

8:00AM EDT 10:00AM EDT

Upstate Race Series / Upstate Trail Series / Upstate Youth Series

Conestee Nature Preserve 8K Run/Walk

8K

Like branches on a tree, our lives may grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one

Sun, Sep 20

2026

8:00 AM

start

Conestee Nature Preserve

Greenville, SC

Register

Course map Directions Race groups Donate Results Race photos Apparel

“

A five-mile loop through soft, natural trails, some singletrack, and a few wooden boardwalks, with 285 feet of elevation gain. You'll run through shaded forest and cross wooden boardwalks over quiet wetlands, following yellow arrows the whole way. Eight in the morning in September, in one of the best-kept pieces of green space in Greenville County.

Runner Feedback

Race Day Details

Sunday, September 20, 2026 at Conestee Nature Preserve, 840 Mauldin Rd, Greenville, SC 29607. Get directions.

7:00 AM

Packet pickup opens

At the pavilion shelter, 7:00 AM to 7:50 AM on race day only. Participants must pick up their own packets.

8:00 AM

Start

A five-mile loop through soft, natural trails, some single-track, and a few wooden boardwalks, with 285 feet of elevation gain.

On course

Boardwalks over the wetlands

You'll pass through shaded forests and cross wooden boardwalks over quiet wetlands. Follow the yellow arrows.

Finish

Pancakes and music

Afterward there are post-race pancakes, music, and a hangout.

10:00 AM

Time limit

2 hours. The course closes at 10:00 AM.

After

Results and photos

Live results post to the RunSignUp results page as each runner finishes. Free event photos are usually up within 48–72 hours on our Facebook page.

Course or Race Highlight

Conestee Nature Preserve is a restored floodplain that has become one of the most important birding sites in the state, and running through it early on a September morning is a genuinely different experience from running anywhere else in the county. The boardwalk sections over the wetlands are the part everybody remembers — the sound changes underfoot, and for a few hundred meters you are running over water.

The 285 feet of gain arrives in small pieces rather than one climb, which keeps the route honest without making it hard. Afterward there are post-race pancakes, music, and a hangout. Every finisher receives a custom medal, a race tattoo, event-themed giveaways, a race sticker, and free professional photos, and your entry supports local nonprofits through the Giving Series.

The Course

A five-mile loop through soft, natural trails, some single-track, and a few wooden boardwalks, with 285 feet of elevation gain. You'll pass through shaded forests and cross wooden boardwalks over quiet wetlands. Follow the yellow arrows.

View the course map

Parking

Right on site adjacent to the Pavilion at 840 Mauldin Road. Both parking and park admission are free for this one.

Aid Stations

No water stations on the course. Water is available at the finish line.

Available snacks

Post-race pancakes and fruit

Hydration

Water at the finish line

What's Included

✓	Free Park Admission and Parking No gate fee, no permit — just show up.

✓	Custom Race Bib Your badge of the journey.

✓	Chip Timing & Live Results Track your effort, splits included.

✓	Race Branded Finisher Medal To commemorate the triumph.

✓	Custom Race Tattoo Wear the moment proudly.

✓	Event-Themed Giveaways A little extra swag for finishing strong.

✓	Race Stickers Keep the memory riding shotgun on your bottle, cooler, or laptop.

✓	Post Race Vibes and Media Coverage Complimentary professional race photos capture the grit and the glory — hang around at the finish line and celebrate.

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 Trail Series Upstate Youth 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 Something Red Ribbon 5K Donate

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, of course.

Are headphones or earbuds allowed?

Yes — jam away.

Can someone else pick up my packet for me?

No — race day only, by the participant.

Is there race-day registration?

Yes, you can register on your mobile device on race day. No paper registrations, unfortunately.

Where are the start and finish lines?

All within eyeshot of the Pavilion at Lake Conestee Nature Park.

Is there gear check or somewhere to leave personal items?

Yes, we will have a drop bag area at the Pavilion.

Are there restrooms near the start/finish?

Yes — on-site bathrooms with power and water.

Will I get a medal or a shirt?

Medals are included, plus some cool giveaways.

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. 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

✓	Switch to a different distance at this race

✓	Transfer your entry to a different Upstate Race Series event

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

✓	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