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Carolina Reaper Challenge
Hottest Race this side of
🪦6 Feet Under!⚰️
Riverwest Preserve
💀 Only the bold survive…
Will you be one of them? 🔥
Welcome to the Carolina Reaper Race, where the vibes are spicy, the miles are relentless, and the only acceptable post-race phrase is: “Yep… I survived.” This is the kind of event that dares you to show up bold and leave tougher. 🌶️💀
You’ll get a scenic tour of Riverwest Preserve, a 240-acre slice of peace that feels almost suspiciously calm for a race with “Reaper” in the title. 🌊🌲 Included with registration, your entry into the park is covered, so you can roll in ready to battle without worrying about the gate. 🎟️
On race day, you’ll rock a custom race bib with just enough chaos in the air to make everyone wonder… who’s getting bib 666. 😈🔥 When you finish, you’ll earn a finisher medal that says you didn’t just participate, you endured. And to mark the moment properly, you’ll snag a custom race tattoo, event-themed giveaways that are almost as hot as the race itself, and a race sticker you can slap on your gear like a warning label: Reaper finisher: approach with caution. 🏅🖤
We’ll have chip timing with lap splits and live results so every second is tracked as you conquer the course, plus a Wildly Charged hydration sample to cool down and refuel when the heat tries to cash your legs out early. ⏱️💧
After the flames, it’s all about the cooldown: complimentary race photos to capture your victory moment, and music plus a post-race hangout to chill out, jam out, and swap trail war stories with the other survivors. 📸🎶
💀 Welcome to the Hottest Race This Side of the Grave 💀
🔥 The Carolina Reaper Challenge! 🔥
Are you brave enough to survive the Carolina Reaper Challenge? 🌶️
The Reaper awaits. 😈🔥
Get ready to feel the burn as you lace up for the Carolina Reaper Running Race, where scorching heat meets extreme endurance. 🔥 Whether you're tackling the 5-mile, half marathon, 50k, or the team relay, you're about to test your grit in the fiery heat of South Carolina this July. ☀️🌡️
🏃♂️🏃♀️ As you navigate the 2.62-mile loop at Riverwest Nature Preserve, you'll be embraced by the intense Southern heat, winding through rolling hills, wooden bridges, and scenic views that might just make you wish you were anywhere but here — unless you're a true heat-seeker! 🏞️
💀 It's not just a race... it's a battle for survival. Conquer the loop within 45 minutes per lap, or risk being left behind in the flames! 😈 You'll need every ounce of your endurance, but don't worry — each lap you conquer brings you closer to victory... and a refreshing taste of sweet, sweet survival! 🏅
Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned speed demon, test your limits in the heat with like-minded souls who share your desire to conquer the sun. 🌞 Come for the race. Stay for the heat. 🔥 And remember, the Reaper's always watching.
Race Day Details
- When: All event distances start at 8:00am. Packet pickup begins at 7:00am.
- Where: Riverwest Nature Preserve
- Address: 2959 New Easley Hwy, Greenville, SC 29611
Attention: Be careful when crossing the median at New Easley Hwy, located across the street from "Home Fur A While" animal boarding facility.
Parking
All participants will park in the old driving range area, approximately 150 meters from the start/finish line. Parking is limited, (carpooling when possible) so please follow volunteer instructions upon arrival. NO UNLOADING Prior to Parking — your vehicle will be directed to its parking space on arrival. Athlete drop-offs will take place in the side lot shortly after entering the facility on the left hand side. This will also be the day use lot for spectators and 5-mile participants.
Athlete Village / Staging Area
We're providing chair and cooler space under 60' x 120' rental tent located at the finish line, where you're welcome to hang out between laps. The Athlete Village sits between the start and finish lines in the designated parking area, serving as a central hub for all runners.
Feel free to bring a 10x10 canopy, cooler, chair, or anything else that helps you recover between laps — this is where the party lives, so share a tent, make some friends, and set up camp! Note: while runners may stage gear at their vehicles, parking is 150 meters away, so setting up a tent on-site is the best way to stay close to the action.
Course
The route runs on a paved 2.6-mile loop with plenty of shade and participant setup right at the start/finish line. Riverwest Nature Preserve is a 240-acre property that was once a golf course and now offers rolling cart paths, wooden bridges, waterfalls, and riverfront views as you race toward glory. 🌲
Distances: Choose Your Own Hell
- 🔥😈 5 Miles — Short & fiery
- 🔥👿 Half Marathon — Devilishly tough
- 🔥💀😈 50K — Ultra pain, ultra evil
- 🔥😈🔁 Relay — Pass the torch... straight from hell
💀 Loops by Distance
- 50K: 12 loops (Conquer the Reaper!)
- Relay: 12 loops (team of 2–4 runners)
- Half Marathon: 5 loops
- 5 Mile: 2 loops
🔔 Loop Schedule
The bell rings every 45 minutes, and it's your race against time!
| Lap | Start Time |
|---|---|
| Lap 1 | 8:00am — The Reaper's Call 🔥 |
| Lap 2 | 8:45am |
| Lap 3 | 9:30am |
| Lap 4 | 10:15am |
| Lap 5 | 11:00am |
| Lap 6 | 11:45am |
| Lap 7 | 12:30pm |
| Lap 8 | 1:15pm |
| Lap 9 | 2:00pm |
| Lap 10 | 2:45pm |
| Lap 11 | 3:30pm |
| Lap 12 | 4:15pm |
Race & Timing Format
You'll receive your timing chip at packet pickup. After each lap, we'll record your lap split — but remember, the Reaper isn't patient. ⏱️ Each lap must be completed within 45 minutes, or you'll be left in the heat. The last lap counts the most!
Aid Stations
- Fuel up: snacks at the start/finish, including pickles, cookies, chips, and pretzels.
- Hydration: water, coke, and ginger ale. 💧
- Cup-less event: bring your own hydration vessel — no cups, only your vessel of survival! 💀
🏆 Race Awards & Age Group Road and Ultra Series
🎖️ Top 3 Overall (Male & Female) - The fastest three finishers will each receive a trophy to honor their achievement at the front of the pack!
- Half Marathon
- 50k
- Relay
🥇 Age Group Awards (Male & Female)
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in each age group will earn an Age Group Series Medal 🏅—a custom piece to add to your finisher’s lanyard at the end of the year at our annual awards ceremony. For those unable to attend an option to have your medal shipped will be available.
🛣️ Upstate Road Series Recognition
Our Age Group Road Series highlights consistency and performance across the season!🏆 The Top 3 Male & Female in each age group will be recognized for total points earned throughout the series at our annual awards ceremony.
Age Group Categories:
- 👶 0–9
- 🧒 10–12
- 🧑🎓 13–16
- 🎓 17–19
- 🧑 20–29
- 👱 30–34
- 🧔 35–39
- 🧑🦰 40–44
- 🧓 45–49
- 👴 50–54
- 👵 55–59
- 🦳 60–64
- 🧙 65–69
- 🧝 70–79
- 🦄 80+
50k Finishers
Any questions? Contact us today!
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Riverwest Reserve
Riverwest Preserve
2959 New Easley Hwy
Greenville, SC 29611 US
View Location on Map
Yes but on a short 6 foot leash. This is a narrow cart path course so be mindful of other runners.
Yes each lap offers a 45 minute cutoff and all runners must stick to the lap schedule posted. No early start times!
Absolutely. Jam on!
Negative Ghost Rider
Right on site at the big Green Upstate Race Series tent. Can't miss it
Yes but the race will be sold out by then.
The listed address will take you on site and follow the long driveway to field parking adjacent to the start/finish line. Follow the volunteers guidance once on site.
Parking is $5 that is paid for during registration. No race day payment is required.
Between our Packet Pickup Tent and our "Tent City" tents will be the start lines. The big Green arch that is located les than 100 meters away from that is our finish lines. Again you can't miss it once on site.
Tent City is a location that serves as the official party of the event and where runners can set up a 10 x 10 tent to get some shade and leave belongings between laps.
Not on course for the 2.62 mile loop but at the start/finish lines. It is recommended for this HOT race that all runners have a hydrating carrying bottle.
Shirts can be orderd through our apparel now store or our registration store.
All finishers recieve a medal
Yeap right at the start line of each lap next to the packet pickup area.
