Conestee Nature Preserve 8k Run/Walk 2026 — Greenville, SC

Upstate Race Series Conestee Nature Preserve 8K Run/Walk Conestee Nature Preserve · Greenville, SC Like branches on a tree, our lives may grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one 🌳 “ 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. 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. Race Day Details What Conestee 8K Run/Walk When Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 8:00 AM start Where Conestee Nature Preserve, Greenville, SC Address 840 Mauldin Rd, Greenville, SC 29607 Packet Pickup At the pavilion shelter, 7:00 AM to 7:50 AM on race day only. Participants must pick up their own packets. Time Limit 90 minutes. 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 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 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. 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. Wildly Charged Hydration Sample A little extra refresh after you've conquered the trail. Post-Race Vibes 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 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 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+ 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, 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