
From the Organizer
Welcome to the Inaugural Buggy Bee 5K!
Join us for the first annual Buggy Bee 5K Run, Walk & Virtual Race, a community event dedicated to supporting First Light and honoring the legacy behind the Gwynnie Bee House in Oconee County, South Carolina.
Whether you're an experienced runner, a casual walker, participating with your family, or joining us virtually from anywhere, the Buggy Bee 5K is designed for participants of all ages and abilities. The in-person event will take place at Shaver Recreation Complex in Seneca, SC, and will feature a scenic 5K course, community engagement opportunities, sponsor exhibits, food trucks, and a meaningful mission that extends far beyond race day.
The Buggy Bee 5K benefits First Light, an organization that provides advocacy, forensic interviews, and crisis response services to survivors of sexual assault and child abuse throughout Anderson and Oconee Counties. These services are offered at no cost to those who need them, helping children, families, and survivors navigate some of life's most difficult circumstances with support, dignity, and hope.
The event is named in honor of Gwynnie Bee, a young child whose story profoundly impacted our community and inspired the creation of the Gwynnie Bee House. Through this race, we seek to honor her memory while supporting children and families who need advocacy and healing services today. To learn more about Gwynnie Bee's story and the mission behind the Gwynnie Bee House, please visit First Light's website and read the story that inspired this event.
The Buggy Bee 5K is more than a race, it's an opportunity to come together as a community, raise awareness, support survivors, and build a lasting tradition centered on compassion, resilience, and hope.
Event Highlights
⇒ Timed 5K Run & Walk
⇒ Virtual Participation Option
⇒ Family-Friendly Atmosphere
⇒ Community Sponsors & Exhibitors
⇒ Race Shirt (while supplies last)
⇒ Finisher Recognition
⇒ Opportunities to Support First Light's Mission
Oh... and finishers get the all important banana!
Whether you join us on race day in Seneca or participate virtually from your hometown, every registration helps support First Light and the individuals and families they serve.
Lacing Up for Survivors. Running for Hope. Building Community.
We look forward to seeing you at the starting line, or wherever you choose to run!
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
87°
Typical Low
68°
Chance of Rain
37%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Clemson Oconee Co Ap, 5 mi from the venue.
Host City
City Elevation
806 ft
Nearest Airport
GSP
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport · 43 mi
Major Hub
TYS
McGhee Tyson Airport · 96 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Buggy Bee 5k, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
Coming Up
Firecracker 5K at Chickasaw Point
10 miles away
Stand Up, Speak Out Labor Day 5K
2 miles away
Light the Trail 5K and Fun Run
10 miles away
R.U.N. Run 5K
12 miles away
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Buggy Bee 5k
Aug 22, 2026