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

The Soldiers March

$30

($15: Ages 1 - 17)

9:00AM EDT 2:00PM EDT

Registration Opens March 8, 2027 at 12:00am EST

Upstate Race Series / Upstate Trail Series / Upstate Ultra Series

Prisoner of War Trail Race

25K

Honor. Endurance. Never retreat.

Sat, Oct 23

2027

9:00 AM

start

Croft State Park

Spartanburg, SC

Register

Course map coming soon Directions Race groups Donate Results Race photos Apparel

“

One single loop across 7,000 acres of the old Camp Croft, on roots, rocks, and real elevation. The Infantry 25K starts and finishes at the McFadden trailhead, home to the central aid station.

Runner Feedback

Race Day Details

Saturday, October 23, 2027 at Croft State Park, 450 Croft State Park Road, Spartanburg, SC 29302.Get directions.

8:00 AM

Packet pickup opens

Begins at 0800 hours at the McFadden trailhead (base camp) on race day. Parking is available on site.

9:00 AM

Race start

Prisoner of War Trail Race — Infantry 25K (one full loop)

On course

One loop through the park

The 25K is one single loop through the whole park, starting and finishing at the McFadden trailhead. Aid stations are at the start/finish and every 8 miles on course.

Finish

Barracks bash

Afterward there is a post-race barracks bash with good tunes, good food, and good people, plus hearty pancakes and soup.

2:00 PM

Time limit

5 hours to finish. All runners off the course by 2:00 PM.

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

Croft State Park was Camp Croft, an infantry training center that put tens of thousands of soldiers through these woods in the 1940s, and the terrain has not gotten any friendlier since. This is South Carolina's backcountry — genuinely rugged trail with roots, rocks, and climbing that adds up over a long day.

The course is one big loop through the whole park, starting and finishing at base camp at the McFadden trailhead. Afterward there is a post-race barracks bash with good tunes, good food, and good people, plus hearty pancakes and soup. Every finisher receives a medal, and your entry supports local nonprofits through the Giving Series.

The Course

One single loop across 7,000 acres of trail: roots, rocks, and real elevation through South Carolina's backcountry, starting and finishing at the McFadden trailhead.

Updated course map coming soon

Parking

Race weekend is one of Croft State Park's busiest of the year, with campsites, shelters and horse stalls all booked. Park only in the designated race parking areas and follow our crew and the event parking signs at the turn-in.

Do not park in the upper day use lot. That lot is reserved for horse trailers and other park guests.

Aid Stations

One centralized aid station at the start/finish, plus an aid station at the trail intersection every 8 miles.

Available snacks

PicklesCookiesChipsFig NewtonsPretzelsAssorted candy

Hydration

WaterCokeGinger ale

Wildly Charged is our official hydration sponsor — look for the orange 5-gallon jugs at aid stations.

Cup-less event — please bring your own hydration vessel.

What's Included

Included with every entry

Free Race Photos

Professional photos of every runner, free to download after the race.

Race-day perk

Hearty Pancakes and Soup

Waiting at base camp when you cross the finish.

What You Get

Finisher Medal

Every finisher

Race Socks

First 100 sign-ups

Race Tee

Add-on at registration

✓	Custom Race Bib + Chip Timing Live results with splits.

✓	Custom Race Tattoo + Stickers Race-day extras for every runner.

✓	Homemade Ration Donations Welcome Bring something for the aid station if you are so inclined.

From past races. See all race photos

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 Ultra Series

Series Awards

Run the series and earn more than a finish:

Series Finisher — finish 5 races in a series to earn that series’ Finisher coin and Finisher tee. Free and earned on the course, never sold.

Upstate 250 Club — log 250 or more race miles across Upstate Race Series events in a season to earn the 250 Club buckle.

The Anchor Award — the runner with the most race miles across the Upstate Race Series keeps the Anchor Award for the year, and their name goes on it for good.

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

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate

Matches Upstate children with volunteer adult mentors, from offices in Greenville and Spartanburg. They host their own race too: Run for Kids' Sake 5K.

Visit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate Run for Kids' Sake 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

SAVE

$5

GROUPS OF 5+

RUN CLUBS & CREWS

Run it with your crew.

Your club is probably already here. Join it when you register and save when your group hits 5.

1

Find your club

50+ Upstate run clubs are preloaded.

2

Join at sign-up

Pick it during registration, or start your own crew.

3

Hit 5 runners

Everyone in the group saves $5. Early sign-ups get it back automatically.

ALREADY ON THE LIST

Upstate Running ClubRockers Run ClubWR@DRunning for BrewsSwamp CommonersHub City RunnersDouble Stamp Run Club+ 44 more

Find your club Register with your crew

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, just be mindful of your surroundings. Be careful at trail and road crossings, and be courteous of other runners who may need to pass on narrow trails.

Can someone else pick up my packet for me?

No — all packet pickup is race day only, so there is no need for anyone else to manage your registration. If you are running late, we can assist you at that time.

Is there race-day registration?

Yes, you can register on your mobile device until the race starts.

Where are the start and finish lines?

Both are in the same place, at the McFadden trailhead. Look for the big green arch.

Is there gear check or somewhere to leave personal items?

Yes, drop bags can be left at the McFadden trailhead base camp.

Are there restrooms near the start/finish?

Portable restrooms will be set up at the McFadden trailhead base camp, and there is plenty of woods when nature calls during the event.

Is camping offered?

Yes — contact the park directly.

Will I get a medal or a shirt?

All finishers receive a medal, and age group awards are available too. Shirts can be ordered through our Apparel Now site.

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.

Is there cell service at the venue?

Cell service is limited here — make a plan with anyone meeting you post-race before you lose signal.

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