Forest City, North Carolina · Sunday, September 6, 2026
The Not A Sprint Ultra Races is a sprint and ultra event held on Sunday, September 6, 2026. It is located at 153 Park Sq in Forest City, North Carolina.
IT'S BACK!
The Race to the Rock 5K is back! As most of you know, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure were devastated by Hurricane Helene in 2024.
While the area is slowly recovering, the Lake Lure Olympiad Committee is pleased to be able to bring back both the Race to the Rock 5K as well as the Slam the Dam 10K, as part of their "Race for Recovery" weekend. Unfortunately, the Lake Lure Triathlon will have to wait another year as the lake is still not up to proper standards for safe swimming.
If you're a veteran of the Race to the Rock 5K - welcome back! If you haven't done this race before, treat yourself to a challenging 5K course topped off by a spectacular finish at the top of Chimney Rock State Park with a stunning 75 Mile panoramic view of the Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.
All spectators and participants will need to exit the mountain after the race and awards.
Participants will be allowed, at no charge, back up on the mountain after the park reopens.
All trails will remain CLOSED until the park reopens.
🐎 Gallop Through the Trails at the Dark Horse Trail Race! 🌲
Giddy up, runners! The Dark Horse Trail Marathon & Half Marathon at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in beautiful Tryon, North Carolina is the perfect opportunity for you to feel the wind in your hair as you race through stunning trails set against the backdrop of rolling hills and lush forests 🏞️. Whether you're a seasoned trail runner or a newcomer, this race promises an unforgettable adventure through a unique blend of athleticism and the natural beauty that only the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains can offer 🌳.
Imagine galloping through wide dirt paths, winding your way through single-track trails, and trotting across grassy meadows 🌾. Along the way, you'll take in breathtaking views, and if you're lucky, you might spot a fellow horse galloping by as you run through the very grounds that host the world's grandest equestrian events 🏇. This is the place where nature and sport collide, creating a race day experience like no other. Whether you're chasing that marathon glory or just here for the half marathon fun, each step brings you closer to the heart of this magical, four-legged world.
After crossing the finish line, enjoy the post-race festivities alongside your fellow runners and equestrian fans 🎉. The Tryon International Equestrian Center is always buzzing with energy, and you can celebrate your victory with food 🍔, drinks 🍻, and live music 🎶 while taking in the beautiful atmosphere of this renowned venue. It’s not just about the race—it’s about connecting with the land, nature, and the incredible spirit of adventure 🐾.
Event Details
When: All Races Start at 8:00 AM ⏰
Where: Tryon Equestrian Center
Address: 25 International Blvd, Mill Spring, NC 28756 📍
Packet Pickup: Will be held at the Start/Finish Line starting 1 hour before your event 🏁.
Course Cutoff: For the marathon: Runners have 6 hours to complete but must start last lap before 5 hours
Parking: When you enter the Equestrian Center, stay to the left to enter the main gate 🏇. Let them know you're here for the race, and follow the driveway to the left, which will lead you to participant parking, right by the start/finish line next to the General Store 🚗
Amenities located within eye sight of the start/finish line
Breakfast Diner 🍳
Coffee Shop ☕
Convenient Store 🛒
Bars/Restaurants 🍽️
Indoor Bathrooms 🚻
Course Map: Strava Course Map - HERE🗺️
The course consists of a 6.5-mile loop that meanders through the equestrian center with a mixture of wide packed dirt paths, single-track trails, and meadows 🐴. The course has 600 feet of elevation gain per loop, offering you a steady challenge as you gallop through this beautiful terrain 🏞️.
Aid Station
There is one aid station at the start and finish line 🏁.
You'll find pickles 🥒, cookies 🍪, chips 🥨, fig newtons, and pretzels 🥨.
Hydration will include water 💧, coke 🥤, and ginger ale 🥤.
Cup-less Event: Please bring your own hydration vessel for use at the aid station 🏅.
Feel free to donate any homemade snacks or supplies you'd like to see at the aid station 🍪.
Staging Area - Camping & Personal Aid Stations
We offer camping for participants and their crews during registration ⛺. There’s no water or power, but you'll have plenty of space to spread out next to the course and enjoy the serenity of nature 🌲. Drop bags can be placed at the start/finish line area 👜. Please label your drop bag with your name and bib number to ensure it’s waiting for you at the finish line when you’re done 🏁.
Don’t miss the chance to trot, gallop, and race through the scenic beauty of the Tryon Equestrian Center. This is your opportunity to experience the thrill of the Dark Horse Trail Race! 🏇🐴🌿
Gather your friends to run/walk the R-S Central High School Cross Country course. This two-lap course features mostly packed dirt or grass trails and has some paved sections. Runners start the race on the north end zone of the football field and head into the woods where they will wind their way through a canopy of foliage and fields until they return to the stadium for a finish on a beautiful track. This is a great 5k for runners, joggers, and walkers alike. Spectators will also love it because they will get to see and cheer you on multiple times throughout the race.
Join us on Saturday, October 3, 2026 for True to the Brew Trail Run/Hike Half Marathon! Embrace the Challenge of 13.1 miles on the Croft Passage of the beautiful Palmetto Trail! We are capping the race at 250 runners only. This Race SELLS OUT every year -- So Hurry and Get Registered! For more information about the Croft Passage please visit:
https://palmettoconservation.org/passage/croft-passage/
We can't wait to celebrate your finish with a custom bottle opener medal and fresh cooked breakfast with all the fixins! Join us at RJ ROCKERS BREWERY on Friday, Oct. 2nd for Packet Pick Up. Get a FREE Beer by showing your enjoy a FREE concert . It's our way of thanking you for your support of the Palmetto Trail!
**SHIRT GUARANTEE DEADLINE: 9/1/2026. We will order extra but can only guarantee your size and availability if your register before our deadline. Our website will show you inventories of what sizes are available when you register.
No Refunds. No Deferrals. Race is Rain or Shine! No Bib exchanges after 9/25/26.
For safety reasons, no strollers or dogs are allowed on the course. You must be over the age of 14 to register for the race.
This course is moderate with some hills! There is a 4 hour cut off time to complete this race. This is a technical course and is recommended for experienced runners.
🏅 PRISONER OF WAR ULTRA
CAMP CROFT STATE PARK – SPARTANBURG, SC
"HONOR. ENDURANCE. NEVER RETREAT."
To all runners, patriots, and warriors of the trail—This is not your average race. This is a mission. The Prisoner of War Ultra returns to the historic grounds of Camp Croft, once the proving ground for over 200,000 American soldiers during World War II. These were men forged in grit, trained for battle, and prepared to defend freedom. Now it’s your turn to step into their legacy.
This November, you’ll report for duty at Croft State Park, a 7,000-acre stretch of rugged South Carolina terrain that once echoed with the cadence of marching boots and rifle fire. Today, the only sounds you’ll hear are the pounding of your heart, the rhythm of your breath, and—if the wind is right—the distant reports from the James O. Thomason Firing Range over the ridge. A reminder that freedom is never free.
Whether you choose the 8 Mile, 25K, or the full 50K ultra distance, each loop of this course is a tribute to the resilience, sacrifice, and unbreakable spirit of our nation's warriors—past and present. The course winds through a figure-eight loop, challenging your body and testing your will. This is more than trail running—it’s a tactical engagement with nature, pain, and purpose.
You won't face it alone. You'll be surrounded by a company of runners bound by grit and honor. Every step, every mile is a salute to those who gave more. The community forged on this course is strong. This is a place where strangers become teammates, and pain becomes pride.
🔱 MISSION BRIEFING:
What: 50K Ultra, 25K, & 8 Mile Trail Race
Where: Croft State Park, Spartanburg, SC
Address: 450 Croft State Park Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29302
When: All races launch at 0900 hours (9:00 AM sharp)
Packet Pickup: Begins at 0800 hours at the Activity Center (base camp)
🗺 COURSE LAYOUT:
50K Operatives: 2 full figure-eight loops
25K Operatives: 1 full loop
8 Mile Scouts: Complete the northern section of the figure-eight
Central checkpoint and aid station located at the Activity Center—report there each loop.
The terrain? Challenging. Technical. Relentless. Just how we like it. The route is marked, but it’s your job to stay sharp. This is
South Carolina’s backcountry—expect roots, rocks, and real elevation.
🏕 DROP ZONE & SUPPORT:
Personal tents and drop bags may be staged at the designated base camp area. Keep it organized and clear of operational zones. This is a "pack in, pack out" operation—we leave no trace but boot prints and honor behind.
🥤 RATION POINTS:
One centralized Aid Station at Start/Finish
Stocked with: pickles, cookies, chips, fig newtons, pretzels, assorted candy
Hydration includes: Water, Coke, and Ginger Ale
This is a cup-less event—bring your own canteen or hydration vessel.
Homemade ration donations are welcome. Keep your brothers and sisters fueled!
🎖 WHY YOU RUN:
You don’t sign up for the Prisoner of War Ultra to collect a medal—though you'll earn one.
You run this race to pay tribute—to our veterans, to the POWs, to those who came home changed, and to those who never came home at all.
You run to prove that in a world full of shortcuts and surrender, there are still those who choose the harder path.
So gear up, soldier. Lace your boots. Tighten your pack. And prepare to face the challenge with courage, humility, and heart.
This is the Prisoner of War Ultra—where endurance meets remembrance.
General’s orders: REGISTER NOW. Stand with us. Run with purpose.