Prisoner of War Trail Race (50k - 25k - 8mi) Race Information
<h3><strong><span style="color:rgb( 102 , 88 , 10 )">🏅 PRISONER OF WAR ULTRA</span></strong><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h3>
<h3><strong><span style="color:rgb( 11 , 93 , 11 )">CAMP CROFT STATE PARK – SPARTANBURG, SC</span></strong><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h3>
<h3><strong><span style="color:rgb( 168 , 160 , 14 )">"HONOR. ENDURANCE. NEVER RETREAT."</span></strong></h3>
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<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">To all runners, patriots, and warriors of the trail—</span><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">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.</span></h5>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">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.</span></h5>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">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.</span></h5>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">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.</span></h5>
<h4><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"> </span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 168 , 160 , 14 )"><strong>🔱 MISSION BRIEFING:</strong></span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h4>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">What: 50K Ultra, 25K, & 8 Mile Trail Race</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h5>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Where: Croft State Park, Spartanburg, SC</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h5>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Address: 450 Croft State Park Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29302</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h5>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">When: All races launch at 0900 hours (9:00 AM sharp)</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h5>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Packet Pickup: Begins at 0800 hours at the Activity Center (base camp)</span><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"> </span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 168 , 160 , 14 )"></span></h5>
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<h4><strong><span style="color:rgb( 168 , 160 , 14 )">🗺 COURSE LAYOUT:</span></strong><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h4>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">50K Operatives: 2 full figure-eight loops</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h5>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">25K Operatives: 1 full loop</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h5>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">8 Mile Scouts: Complete the northern section of the figure-eight</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h5>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Central checkpoint and aid station located at the Activity Center—report there each loop.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h5>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">The terrain? Challenging. Technical. Relentless. Just how we like it. The route is marked, but it’s your job to stay sharp. This is </span></h5>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">South Carolina’s backcountry—expect roots, rocks, and real elevation.</span></h5>
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<h5><strong><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><a style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )" href="https://www.strava.com/routes/3270752827527776754" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">COURSE MAP HERE</a></span></strong></h5>
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<h4><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"> </span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 168 , 160 , 14 )"><strong>🏕 DROP ZONE & SUPPORT:</strong></span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h4>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Personal tents and drop bags may be staged at the designated base camp area. Keep it organized and clear of operational zones. </span><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">This is a "pack in, pack out" operation—we leave no trace but boot prints and honor behind.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"> </span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">🥤 RATION POINTS:</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h5>
<ul><li><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">One centralized Aid Station at Start/Finish</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></li><li><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Stocked with: pickles, cookies, chips, fig newtons, pretzels, assorted candy</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></li><li><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Hydration includes: Water, Coke, and Ginger Ale</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></li><li><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">This is a cup-less event—bring your own canteen or hydration vessel.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></li><li><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Homemade ration donations are welcome. Keep your brothers and sisters fueled!</span></li></ul>
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<h4><strong><span style="color:rgb( 168 , 160 , 14 )">🎖 WHY YOU RUN:</span></strong><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"></span></h4>
<p><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">You don’t sign up for the Prisoner of War Ultra to collect a medal—though you'll earn one.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">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.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">You run to prove that in a world full of shortcuts and surrender, there are still those who choose the harder path.</span></p>
<h5><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"> </span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">So gear up, soldier. Lace your boots. Tighten your pack. And prepare to face the challenge with courage, humility, and heart.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">This is the Prisoner of War Ultra—where endurance meets remembrance.</span></h5>
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<h4><em><span style="color:rgb( 168 , 160 , 14 )">General’s orders: <span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><strong>REGISTER NOW</strong></span>. Stand with us. Run with purpose.</span></em></h4>
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<h4><strong><span style="color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Upstate Race Series Registration Policies & Options</span></strong></h4>
<h5><strong>✅ Transfers</strong></h5>
<ul><li>Registered participants may transfer their entry to another person through their RunSignUp profile</li><li><a href="https://runsignup.com/Profile" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Transfer & Manage Registration HERE</a></li></ul>
<h5><strong>✅ Distance Changes</strong></h5>
<ul><li>Participants may switch to a different race distance (e.g., drop from Half Marathon to 5K).</li><li><a href="https://runsignup.com/Profile" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Switch Distance & Manage Registration HERE</a></li></ul>
<h5><strong>✅ Club & Referral Discounts</strong></h5>
<ul><li>Join the Upstate Running Club and receive 15% OFF registration.</li><li>Refer 2+ runners and receive $5 OFF.</li></ul>
<h5><strong>✅ Race Shirts & Swag</strong></h5>
<ul><li>Race shirts are sold and shipped separately.</li><li>Finisher medals and awards (age group & overall) are not shipped.</li></ul>
<h5><strong>✅ Refunds & Deferrals</strong></h5>
<ul><li>No refunds or deferrals will be offered (unless the event sells out).</li><li>If the race sells out, you may request a 50% OFF code for a future Upstate Race Series event.</li></ul>
Race Organizerhttps://runsignup.com/Race/SC/Spartanburg/PrisonerofWarUltra
Spartanburg, SCSpartanburgSCUS29302
34.8746182-81.8597648
