One Epic Run

One Epic Run returns to Croft State Park in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Saturday, December 5, 2026, as a 24-hour trail race starting at 9:00 a.m. Earlier editions were cancelled while the race director was tied up with hurricane response duties. Timing is handled by the runners themselves: you drop a pebble into a cup after each lap. The event is cupless, so bring your own bottle for hydration, and runners are welcome to share food at the aid stations. Croft State Park, a former World War II training base, also offers camping and hiking across its large natural setting.

A 24-hour race is a different exercise from a marathon: the job is to keep moving and manage your legs, stomach, and sleep rather than to hold a pace. Newcomers can treat it as a long day out and stop when they have had enough, while experienced ultrarunners can chase a mileage total. Prepare with back-to-back long runs on weekends, rehearse walking breaks, and plan food, lighting, and spare clothing in advance, since a lap format makes restocking easy.