Light the Trail 5K and Fun Run
- Date
- September 17, 2026
- Distance
- 1-Mile Fun Run · Light the Trail 5K
From the Organizer
Benefiting the Green Crescent Trail and a more walkable, bikeable greater Clemson area!
Join us for a lively evening of movement, community and celebration at the inaugural Light the Trail 5K and 1-Mile Family Fun Run in Clemson’s Patrick Square community, Thursday, September 17, 2026. (Rain date: September 24, 2026.)
Held just before Clemson University’s Parents Weekend, this family-friendly event invites area runners and walkers, University students and their parents, alumni, neighbors and trail supporters of all ages to move together and support the Green Crescent Trail and its bold 15×30 vision: creating 15 connected miles of trail across Clemson, Central and Pendleton by 2030.
Participants will enjoy a scenic evening course through the streets of Patrick Square, followed by a lively post-race community gathering on the Village Green featuring local food, drinks, music and family activities. Professional timing provided by Upstate Race Series.
Whether you are chasing a personal best, walking with friends or pushing a stroller under the fall lights, every step helps raise awareness and support for safer, more connected and more active communities across the region.
Event Highlights
- Evening 5K race through Patrick Square
- 1-mile Family Fun Run open to all ages and abilities
- Awards for various ages and groups, costume contest, and raffle prizes
- Post-race community gathering at the Village Green
- Breakfast-for-dinner specials at Sunnyside Cafe
- Food and beer specials at Kite Hill Brewing Co.
- Music, dancing, family activities and community partner booths
- Green Crescent Trail and 15×30 campaign information
- Opportunity to support future trail connectivity in the Clemson area
Why We Run
The Green Crescent Trail connects neighborhoods, schools, parks, campuses and downtowns across the greater Clemson region through safe, accessible multi-use trails. The new 15×30 campaign is focused on expanding that vision into a connected 15-mile regional network by the year 2030.
Light the Trail is more than a race. It is a celebration of movement, connectivity, and a bright, active future for our community.
Every mile matters. GO. CONNECT! Let’s light the trail together!
Race Packet Pickup
Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 15-16, 8-10 a.m. Sunnyside Cafe
Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 15-16, 4-6 p.m., Kite Hill Brewing
Thursday, Sept. 17 Race Day! 5-6 p.m, Village Green
Registration prices increase beginning Sept. 2, 2026!
Race Course
This 3.1-mile course winds through the scenic Patrick Square community. The race begins and ends by the Village Green retail district and loops twice around the neighborhood, with a gentle, gradual topography that is ideal for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Pershing Avenue at Issaqueena Trail will be closed to traffic when the race is taking place. Neighborhood entrances at Keller Boulevard and Chapman Hill Road, along with access to retail parking, will remain open during the duration of the Light the Trail event. Race course elevation ranges from a minimum 721 feet to a maximum 825 feet.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
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
84°
Typical Low
62°
Chance of Rain
27%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Clemson Univ, 2 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Clemson, SC
Population
17,759
as of 2023
Elevation
731 ft
Nearest Airport
GSP
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport · 38 mi
Major Hub
TYS
McGhee Tyson Airport · 102 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Light the Trail 5K and Fun Run, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
101
Days to train
- Race
- Light the Trail 5K and Fun Run
- Date
- September 17, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Clemson, SC
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
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.
Running
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)
- What is the Light the Trail 5K and Fun Run?
- Light the Trail 5K and Fun Run is a running race held in Clemson, South Carolina on September 17, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Light the Trail 5K and Fun Run?
- Thursday, September 17, 2026 in Clemson, South Carolina at 108 Thomas Green Blvd, Clemson, SC. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Light the Trail 5K and Fun Run?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Light the Trail 5K and Fun Run
Sep 17, 2026