Conquer the Rock 25k & 50k

Upstate Race Series  /  Upstate Trail Series  /  Upstate Ultra Series Conquer the Rock 25K & 50K 50K–25K Not for the faint of heart, but the conquer is worth the climb

Sat, Mar 6 2027

8:00 AM start

Table Rock State Park Pickens, SC

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Steep, rocky, and relentless, over the summits of Pinnacle and Table Rock, with 16,000 feet of elevation change waiting for the runners who take on both laps. The Bear Crawl 25K is one brutal loop. The Foothills 50K is two soul-shaping laps. We call it the toughest trail race in South Carolina and nobody who has finished it has argued with us yet.

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Race Day Details

Saturday, March 6, 2027 at Table Rock State Park, W. Gate Road, Pickens, SC 29671. Get directions.

6:30 AM

Packet pickup opens Pinnacle Pavilion, 90 minutes prior to the start. No proxy pickups. Once you enter Table Rock State Park from the West Gate entrance, follow the event parking signs.

8:00 AM

Both races start The Bear Crawl 25K is one brutal loop. The Foothills 50K is two soul-shaping laps.

On course

Over two summits Steep, rocky, and relentless, taking in the summits of Pinnacle and Table Rock with epic, jaw-dropping views along the way.

1:00 PM

50K lap one cutoff The 50K's five-hour cutoff at the end of lap one is a real gate, not a formality: miss it and you are scored as a 25K finisher, which is still a hard day out and nothing to apologize for.

Finish

Post-run pancakes Afterward there are post-run pancakes, music, and a hangout that starts before the race and picks back up when you are done.

7:00 PM

Time limit 11 hours. If you are running the 50K you have 5 hours to complete the first lap, or you will automatically be dropped to the 25K distance.

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

This is a race about vertical, not pace. The course takes you over two summits with jaw-dropping views of Table Rock and Pinnacle Mountain, and there is no section of it where you can switch off and cruise — the descents demand as much attention as the climbs, and the rock underfoot does not forgive a lazy foot placement. Plan your day in hours, not in miles per hour.

The 50K's five-hour cutoff at the end of lap one is a real gate, not a formality: miss it and you are scored as a 25K finisher, which is still a hard day out and nothing to apologize for. Afterward there are post-run pancakes, music, and a hangout that starts before the race and picks back up when you are done. So — are ya ready to Conquer the Rock?

The Course

Steep, rocky, and relentless, taking in the summits of Pinnacle and Table Rock with epic, jaw-dropping views along the way. The 25K is one loop; the 50K is two, for a total of roughly 16,000 feet of elevation change. This is a genuine mountain course and should be respected as one.

View the course map  

Parking

Park at Pinnacle Pavilion. Once you enter Table Rock State Park from the West Gate entrance, follow the event parking signs. Racers pay a $5 special use permit fee during registration. Spectators pay the park day use fee at the gate: $6 for adults, $3.75 for SC seniors 65+, $3.50 for children 6–15, and free for ages 5 and under.

 

Aid Stations

Water-only aid at two locations on the loop, plus a fully stocked aid station at the 15.5 mile mark for 50K runners starting their second lap.

Available snacks

Post-run pancakes

Hydration

Water at two points on the loopFully stocked station at mile 15.5 for 50K runners

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

 

What's Included

✓	Custom Race Socks First 100 participants. They do not last.

✓	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.

✓	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 these two series:

Upstate Trail SeriesUpstate Ultra 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

This race supports Front Porch Housing A Greenville nonprofit giving families in crisis a home plus support with child care, finances, jobs and life skills. They host their own race too: The Race for a Place. Visit Front Porch HousingThe Race for a PlaceDonate

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 clubRegister 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

Can someone else pick up my packet for me?

No

Is there race-day registration? Yes, you can register on race day using your mobile device. Where are the start and finish lines? Pinnacle Pavilion. Once you enter Table Rock State Park from the West Gate entrance, follow the event parking signs. Is there gear check or somewhere to leave personal items? Yes — the Barn at Pinnacle Pavilion is open for anyone to store items in during the race. Are there restrooms near the start/finish or on course? There are bathrooms at the start/finish line only, so all other pit stops are on the mountain, in the woods, like the bears do. Will I get a medal or a shirt? All finishers receive a medal. Apparel can be purchased for pickup on race day, or through our Apparel Now online store for direct shipping. 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

Let's Stay Connected

Follow along, gear up, and keep up with everything Upstate Race Series

This race Register Course map Directions Race groups Results Race photos Race apparel Manage my registration Series & giving Upstate Trail Series Upstate Ultra Series Upstate Giving Series Front Porch Housing The Race for a Place Donate Upstate Race Series UpstateRaceSeries.com Info@UpstateRaceSeries.com Instagram @upstateraceseries Facebook: Upstate Event Management Apparel store