Ice Breaker 8K Run/Walk

  Upstate Race Series Ice Breaker 8K Run/Walk Lakeside Park · Piedmont, SC

Slip, slide, and shuffle your way to an 8K trail race ❄️

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Eight kilometers of beginner-friendly singletrack at the end of January, when the trail is quiet and the air still has teeth in it. Minimal roots, a few gradual inclines, several undulations and switchbacks, and a central hub you pass twice. If you have been meaning to try a trail race and keep talking yourself out of it, this is the one that was built for you.

The Ice Breaker earns its name honestly. It is early in the season, it is cold at the start line, and for a lot of runners it is the first trail race they have ever done. The course was chosen with exactly that in mind — the Every Minute Trail and the All Day, Baby Trail are runnable, forgiving, and free of the technical sections that turn a first trail race into a bad memory.

You start with a short lap around the baseball diamond sidewalk before dropping into the trailhead, which gives the field room to spread out before the singletrack pinches things down. Afterward there is music, post-race refreshments, hot cocoa, and a chance to connect with fellow runners. Every finisher receives a medal, and your entry supports local nonprofits through the Giving Series.

Race Day Details

What	Ice Breaker 8K Run/Walk
When	Saturday, January 30, 2027 — 9:00 AM start
Where	Lakeside Park, Piedmont, SC
Address	1500 Piedmont Hwy, Piedmont, SC 29673
Packet Pickup	One hour prior to race start near the starting line, at Lakeside Park adjacent to the bathrooms beyond the baseball fields — between the baseball diamonds and the football field on the east side. Look for the Green Arch.
Time Limit	90 minutes.

Course

Single-track trails that are beginner friendly with minimal roots and just a few gradual inclines. The route runs the Every Minute Trail and the All Day, Baby Trail, with several undulations, switchbacks, and a central hub you will pass twice. It opens with a short lap around the baseball diamond sidewalk before entering the trailhead.

View Course Map →

Parking

Park at Lakeside Park by the bathrooms just beyond the baseball fields — look for the Green Arch. Parking itself is free, but the county requires a $5 special use permit, which you pay during registration.

Aid Stations

Two aid stations on the course, located at two separate mile markers, plus refreshments and hot cocoa waiting at the finish.

Available snacks:

Post-race refreshments

Hydration:

Water on course Hot cocoa at the finish

What's Included

Two Aid Stations On Course Placed at separate mile markers so you are never running dry. 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. 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 using your mobile device up until the race starts. Where are the start and finish lines? Same place as packet pickup — look for the green arch and green tent when you arrive. Is there gear check or somewhere to leave personal items? No, but your car will be parked very close to the action, so you will have easy access. Are there restrooms near the start/finish? Yes, there are bathrooms at the start/finish line. Will I get a medal or a shirt? All finishers receive a medal. You can purchase a shirt during registration or visit our Apparel Now store and have one shipped directly to you.

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 →  

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