Tacky Sweater 5k Run/Walk

Upstate Race Series / Upstate Trail Series

Tacky Sweater 5K Run/Walk

5K

Ho ho ho and welcome to the tackiest 5K of the year

Sat, Dec 19

2026

10:00 AM

start

Lakewood Nature Preserve

Greenville, SC

Register

Course map Directions Race groups Donate Results Race photos Apparel

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Two festive loops of 1.5 miles each through the wild and whimsical woods of Lakewood, on a grass cross-country style route, wide and rolling and sprinkled with just enough hills to jingle your bells. Wear the worst sweater you own. There is cash on the line for it.

Runner Feedback

Race Day Details

Saturday, December 19, 2026 at Lakewood Nature Preserve, 220 Lakewood Drive, Greenville, SC 29607. Get directions.

9:00 AM

Packet pickup opens

Begins one hour before the run, race morning only, at 220 Lakewood Drive. You can register on your phone until the gun goes off.

10:00 AM

Start

Tacky Sweater 5K Run/Walk — two festive 1.5-mile loops

On course

Two grass loops

Two festive loops of 1.5 miles each through the wild and whimsical woods of Lakewood, on a grass cross-country style route — wide and rolling, sprinkled with just enough hills to jingle your bells.

Finish

The Tacky Sweater Contest

The Tacky Sweater Contest is judged at a tent after the race, with $50, $25, and $10 on the line and both team and solo competition.

11:00 AM

Time limit

1 hour to walk the 5K.

After

Results and photos

Live results post to the RunSignUp results page as each runner finishes. Want your finish time the moment you cross the line? Sign up for result notifications by text or email. Free race photos are usually up within 48–72 hours on the RunSignUp race photos page, and we share them on our Facebook page too.

Course or Race Highlight

A grass cross-country course is a rare thing to get to race on as an adult, and it is a completely different feeling from road or singletrack — wide, forgiving, and fast in a way that has nothing to do with pace. Two loops means spectators see you twice, which matters more than usual at a race where half the point is being looked at.

The Tacky Sweater Contest is judged at a tent after the race, with $50, $25, and $10 on the line and both team and solo competition. Spectator votes count — loud cheers, claps, and votes at the post-race party help crown the People's Choice. Kick back by the barn, soak up the holly-jolly vibes, and enjoy festive tunes, fun photo ops, and all the cozy feels.

The Course

Two festive loops of 1.5 miles each through the wild and whimsical woods of Lakewood, on a grass cross-country style route — wide and rolling, sprinkled with just enough hills to jingle your bells.

View the course map

Parking

Follow the parking signs at 220 Lakewood Drive. The parking fee is included in your registration, and your car will be parked adjacent to the finish line for easy access. There are four portable toilets on site.

Aid Stations

No water on course, but there is water at the finish line.

Available snacks

Post-race snacks for everyone. Bring your own drinks if you like.

Hydration

Water at the finish line

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

What's Included

✓

Tacky Sweater Contest, With Cash

$50 for first, $25 for second, $10 for third. Team and solo competition.

✓

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.

✓

Spectator Votes Count

Loud cheers, claps, and votes at the post-race party help crown the People's Choice.

✓

Parking Included

Covered by your registration, adjacent to the finish line.

✓

Post Race Vibes and Media Coverage

Complimentary professional race photos capture the grit and the glory — hang around at the finish line and celebrate.

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 Youth 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…