Prisoner of War Trail Race (50k - 25k - 8mi) 2026

Description

🏅 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.

COURSE MAP HERE

🏕 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.