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

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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.

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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. Free event photos are usually up within 48–72 hours on our Facebook page.

 

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

BYOB-style post-race — bring what 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 SeriesUpstate Youth 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 Adopting Families Fund Helps Upstate families cover the cost of adoption so more children come home to a family. They host their own race too: Race for Adoption 5K. Race for Adoption 5KDonate

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, just keep them on a leash. Are headphones or earbuds allowed? Yep — rock out. Can someone else pick up my packet for me? No. Packet pickup is race morning shortly before the race, so they can pick it up then. Is there race-day registration? Yep, you can register right on your phone until the gun goes off. Where are the start and finish lines? Adjacent to the barn and the parking lot. Is there gear check or somewhere to leave personal items? No, but your car will be parked adjacent to the finish line for easy access. Are there restrooms near the start/finish? Yes, we will have four portable toilets on site. Will I get a medal or a shirt? Yes on the medal. Shirts are sold and shipped separately. 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. You'll see your runner pass by every lap. 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.  

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 Giving Series Race for Adoption 5K Donate Upstate Race Series UpstateRaceSeries.com Info@UpstateRaceSeries.com Instagram @upstateraceseries Facebook: Upstate Event Management Apparel store