The Longest Night (50mi - 50k - 26.2 - 13.1 - 10k) logo

The Longest Night (50mi - 50k - 26.2 - 13.1 - 10k)

The Longest Night (50mi - 50k - 26.2 - 13.1 - 10k) is an ultra and running race on December 19–20, 2026 in Greenville, SC, with an entry fee of $45.

Date
December 19–20, 2026 (149 days to go)
Price
$45
Sports
UltraRunning
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From the Organizer

🌕 Ahem... Hello, dear runners. It is I—your guiding glow, your silent cheerleader through the darkness—the Moon. 🌌✨ Allow me to personally invite you to one of my favorite nights of the year: The Longest Night Trail & Ultra Run at Lakewood Nature Preserve. Trust me, I’ll be watching every step. 🌙👣
 
As I rise over the trees and cast my silver light across the prairie, you'll embark on an overnight running adventure like no other—starting at sunset and continuing ‘til the first golden whisper of dawn. 🌄 From the cozy charm of an old barn nestled in the preserve, you’ll set out on a 1.5-mile loop through wide grassy trails under my watchful eye. Whether you're a seasoned ultrarunner or just testing your night legs, this is your time to shine.
 
Every loop you run, you’re racing both the clock and the stars. ⏳✨ You’ll have 25 minutes to complete each loop—plenty of time to push your pace, then cozy up by the fire with fellow moonlit wanderers while I float above. 🔥🐺🦉As you run, listen for the whisper of wings, the rustle of deer, and maybe even the soft crunch of fox paws. You’re not just racing—you’re part of the nighttime wilderness now. And I promise, it’s magical. And when your legs are tired and your heart full, you’ll gather beneath my setting light and the rising sun to celebrate the wild, quiet journey you just completed.
 
🌙 Event Details
🕕 When: All races begin at 6:00pm (just as I rise!)
📍 Where: Lakewood Nature Preserve – 220 Lakewood Dr. Greenville, SC
🎽 Packet Pickup: Begins at 4:30pm inside the barn
⏱️ALL RUNNERS MUST ADHERE TO THE TIME SCHEDULE BELOW, Completing Laps under 25 Minutes
 
🌙 Choose Your Nightly Journey
  • 50 Miles – 34 Laps
  • 50K – 21 Laps
  • Marathon – 18 Laps
  • Half Marathon – 9 Laps
  • 10K – 4 Laps
 
🌲Course
The course extends 1.5 miles from our central barn, which serves as the hub for the start/finish line, the runners’ aid station, and the personal setup area.
 
🌙 Aid Station:
  • 🍲 Hot soup & broth (Veggie)
  • 🥨 Pickles, chips, candy, fig newtons
  • 🥤 Water, Coke, ginger ale, Wildly Charged Hydration
  • 🚫 Cup-less event! Please bring your own hydration vessel.
 
🌙 Personal Set Up:
There is ample space in and around the barn for your personal setup. If you and your crew are coming, we’ll have room around the barn and along the course for larger base camp setups. Bring your tent, your friends, your firewood, and your sense of adventure. Just remember: pack it in, pack it out so we leave this preserve more beautiful than we found it. So lace up, brave soul. Let’s run through the dark together. I’ll be there, shining above—your finish line beacon in the longest night. 🌕💫
Site & Setup Guidelines
  • Fire pits: Must be off the ground or set on a protective ground barrier.
  • Tents: All tents must be properly staked in and secured.
  • Setup time: On-site setup will begin at 3:00 PM.
 
Setup Time
  • The preserve opens at 3:00 PM for SETUP.
Parking Plan
  • Barn parking (150 spots): First come, first served.
  • Field lot (adjacent to barn): Once barn parking fills, park here next.
  • Road parking: After the field lot is full, participants may park along the road leading into the preserve.
Base Camp Rules
  • ✅ Tents, tables, and portable firepits / propane fires are permitted.
  • Please be mindful of the space you use so everyone has room to set up.
  • Pack In, Pack Out: Do not leave trash on site and do not leave it by the barn for me to handle. That’s not our job.
  • No Utilities - This nature preserve has NO POWER and NO WATER.
 
Register now... before the sun rises.

Events

The Longest Night Challenge (50mi - 50k - 26.2 - 13.1 or 10k)$45

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

53°

Typical Low

33°

Chance of Rain

32%

Based on US Climate Normals data from Greenville, 4 mi from the venue.

Sunrise 7:31 AMSunset 5:21 PMDaylight 9h 49m

Host City

About Greenville, SC

Population

71,755

as of 2023

City Elevation

927 ft

Nearest Airport

GSP

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport · 11 mi

Major Hub

CLT

Charlotte Douglas International Airport · 87 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 The Longest Night (50mi - 50k - 26.2 - 13.1 - 10k), put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.

149

Days to train

Race
The Longest Night (50mi - 50k - 26.2 - 13.1 - 10k)
Date
December 19–20, 2026

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From Endurance Grid

About These Sports

This race spans more than one sport — here’s a guide to each, so you can understand what’s involved and decide if it’s the right fit. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.

Ultramarathon

An ultramarathon is anything beyond the standard marathon — 50K, 50-mile, 100K, 100-mile, and timed events. Crossing the line is less about speed and more about not quitting.

Running

From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.

Plan your trip

Make it a Racecation

Coming from out of town? There's more to Greenville than race day. We'll help you line up nearby lodging, flights, a rental car, and things to do so you can make the most of your racecation.

Plan your trip to Greenville
Lodging
Flights
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Activities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is The Longest Night (50mi - 50k - 26.2 - 13.1 - 10k)?+
The Longest Night (50mi - 50k - 26.2 - 13.1 - 10k) is an ultra and running race held in Greenville, South Carolina on December 19, 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 ultra races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
When and where is The Longest Night (50mi - 50k - 26.2 - 13.1 - 10k)?+
Saturday, December 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina at 220 Lakewood Drive. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
How do I register for The Longest Night (50mi - 50k - 26.2 - 13.1 - 10k)?+
Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.

The Longest Night (50mi - 50k - 26.2 - 13.1 - 10k)

Dec 19, 2026

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