Tacky Sweater 5k Run/Walk

  Upstate Race Series Tacky Sweater 5K Run/Walk Lakewood Nature Preserve · Greenville, SC

Ho ho ho and welcome to the tackiest 5K of the year 🎅

  “

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.

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.

Race Day Details

What	Tacky Sweater 5K Run/Walk — two festive 1.5-mile loops
When	Saturday, December 19, 2026 — 10:00 AM start
Where	Lakewood Nature Preserve, Greenville, SC
Address	220 Lakewood Drive, Greenville, SC 29607
Packet Pickup	Begins one hour before the run, race morning only, at 220 Lakewood Drive. You can register on your phone until the gun goes off.
Time Limit	1 hour to walk the 5K.

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 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. 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. 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

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, 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.

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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