True to the Brew Trail Race Series

Four trail races. Four passages of the Palmetto Trail. One cold beer at every finish.

The True to the Brew Trail Race Series takes you across South Carolina on the Palmetto Trail, from an urban 5K in Columbia to a 26.2-mile mountain marathon, with a hot meal, live music and a craft beer waiting at every finish line. Run one or run them all: every race you finish earns points toward the series standings, and every entry supports the Palmetto Conservation Foundation and the trail you are running on.

At a Glance

The Races

Every True to the Brew race in 2027

True to the Brew 5K

Saturday, March 6, 2027 · Capital City Passage · Columbia

An urban trail 5K that starts and finishes at the Palmetto Trail offices, with a cookout, Palmetto Trail Ale and live music at the finish.

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True to the Brew 10K

Saturday, April 3, 2027 · Peak to Prosperity Passage · Pomaria

Run or hike 10K along the Broad River and finish on the Broad River Trestle, with a grilled breakfast and your first beer free.

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True to the Brew 13.1

Saturday, October 2, 2027 · Croft Passage · Croft State Park, Spartanburg

A technical half marathon through forest, rolling hills and creek crossings, with a full hot breakfast at the finish.

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True to the Brew 26.2

Saturday, December 4, 2027 · Oconee State Park to Stumphouse Tunnel Park · Mountain Rest

The newest race in the series: a point-to-point trail marathon through the South Carolina mountains, finishing at Stumphouse Tunnel. Registration opens December 28, 2026.

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Series Rules

How scoring works

Automatic entry. You are entered in the series as soon as you register for any True to the Brew race, and you are scored automatically from the official results.

One RunSignUp profile. Use the same RunSignUp profile for every race so your results are matched correctly.

Your age on December 31. Series age groups are based on your age as of December 31, 2027. You may place in a different age group at an individual race, but the series is scored on your end-of-year age.

All four races count. Points from every race you finish are added together. The more races you finish, the higher you climb.

Points go to age group finishers. Points are awarded by your finishing position within your age group and gender. Every finisher earns at least one point.

Series Prizes

Finish all four and earn your place

Age group champions. The top 3 men and top 3 women in each age group at the end of the series earn series awards.

Four-race finishers. Finish all four True to the Brew races in 2027 and you earn a special finisher award reserved only for runners who complete the full series.

Series prize details will be announced before the 5K in March. Standings are updated after each race, so you can follow your progress all year.

Benefiting the Palmetto Trail

Every mile supports the trail

True to the Brew races benefit the Palmetto Conservation Foundation and the Palmetto Trail, South Carolina's planned 500-mile hiking and biking trail from the mountains to the sea. Your registration helps maintain existing passages, build new sections to connect the trail, and keep it free and open to everyone.