Ice Breaker 8K Run/Walk 2027 — Piedmont, SC

Upstate Race Series Ice Breaker 8K Run/Walk Lakeside Park · Piedmont, SC Slip, slide, and shuffle your way to an 8K trail race ❄️ Participant Feedback “ Eight kilometers of beginner-friendly singletrack at the end of January, when the trail is quiet and the air still has teeth in it. Minimal roots, a few gradual inclines, several undulations and switchbacks, and a central hub you pass twice. If you have been meaning to try a trail race and keep talking yourself out of it, this is the one that was built for you. Course or Race Highlight The Ice Breaker earns its name honestly. It is early in the season, it is cold at the start line, and for a lot of runners it is the first trail race they have ever done. The course was chosen with exactly that in mind — the Every Minute Trail and the All Day, Baby Trail are runnable, forgiving, and free of the technical sections that turn a first trail race into a bad memory. You start with a short lap around the baseball diamond sidewalk before dropping into the trailhead, which gives the field room to spread out before the singletrack pinches things down. Afterward there is music, post-race refreshments, hot cocoa, and a chance to connect with fellow runners. Every finisher receives a medal, and your entry supports local nonprofits through the Giving Series. Race Day Details What Ice Breaker 8K Run/Walk When Saturday, January 30, 2027 — 9:00 AM start Where Lakeside Park, Piedmont, SC Address 1500 Piedmont Hwy, Piedmont, SC 29673 Packet Pickup One hour prior to race start near the starting line, at Lakeside Park adjacent to the bathrooms beyond the baseball fields — between the baseball diamonds and the football field on the east side. Look for the Green Arch. Time Limit 90 minutes. Course Single-track trails that are beginner friendly with minimal roots and just a few gradual inclines. The route runs the Every Minute Trail and the All Day, Baby Trail, with several undulations, switchbacks, and a central hub you will pass twice. It opens with a short lap around the baseball diamond sidewalk before entering the trailhead. View Course Map → Parking Park at Lakeside Park by the bathrooms just beyond the baseball fields — look for the Green Arch. Parking itself is free, but the county requires a $5 special use permit, which you pay during registration. Aid Stations Two aid stations on the course, located at two separate mile markers, plus refreshments and hot cocoa waiting at the finish. Available snacks: Post-race refreshments Hydration: Water on course Hot cocoa at the finish Wildly Charged is our official hydration sponsor — look for the orange 5-gallon jugs at aid stations. What's Included Two Aid Stations On Course Placed at separate mile markers so you are never running dry. Custom Race Bib Your badge of the journey. Chip Timing & Live Results Track your effort, splits included. Custom Finisher Medal To commemorate the triumph. Custom Race Tattoo Wear the moment proudly. Event-Themed Giveaways A little extra swag for finishing strong. Race Sticker 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 this series: Upstate Trail 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 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. 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. Is there race-day registration? Yes, you can register using y