Prisoner of War Ultra

Prisoner of War Ultra Camp Croft State Park - Spartanburg Sc “The prisoner, having reached the depth of his depression, gradually reawakens to the life around him. He licks himself and his wounded pride, opens his eyes, and finds that far away on the horizon there is still a ray of sunlight left.”   Upstate Race Series is presenting its Annual Prisoner of War Ultra to be held at Camp Croft State Park in Spartanburg South Carolina. This race will bring the history of Camp Croft as an Infantry Training camp established in the 1940's in preparation of World War II. Over 200,000 soldiers were trained at Camp Croft during that time. The majority of the soldiers trained at Croft were rifleman and as you do loops around the 8 mile course you can still hear shots being fired at the James O. Thomason Firing Range over the hill.   Many of us have family members who are in active duty or veterans of war. Many of them suffer from aspects of the war that are hard to explain. They keep them locked inside and create their own prison wall inside. Please keep in mind the struggle that many veterans faced during and after their service.   This 7,000-acre park near downtown Spartanburg was once a United States Army training camp, giving it the name Camp Croft. The training base was established here in 1941 under the direction of then-United States Senator James F. Byrne and was named in honor of Major General Edward Croft of Greenville, a former United States Army Chief of Infantry who died in 1938. From 1941 through 1946, around 60,000 troops went through training at Camp Croft each year. The camp closed in 1947, and the land was transferred to the South Carolina Commission of Forestry for use as a state park. Camp Croft State Park opened in 1949.   Event Details What: 50k, 25k, 8 Mile Race Where: Croft State Park: 450 Croft State Park Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29302 When: November 9th - All Races Start at 8am Packet Pickup: will begin one hour prior to the race start at the activity center and main parking area Overall Awards will be given out at the conclusion of the top 3 finishers. Camping: Contact the park directly (Utilizing Campground Loop 1: Sites 1-25) Age group winners will be recognized in the results tab and our point series. Our events are:  Youth 8 & Under Race for Free  Walker Friendly Dog Friendly Volunteer for a FREE Race Entry or a Future Race Entry by Upstate Race Series - HERE Set-Up - Packet Pickup - Course Monitor - Meal/Aid Station Prep - Cleanup - Parking Park Entrance Opens at 7am   Race Swag Event Shirt (Optional) Finisher Medal Custom Race Logo Sticker Upstate Ultra Sticker Complimentary Race Photos Upstate Race Series Crew Socks   Race Awards, Age Group Point Series, Chip Timing Top 3 Male and Female Overall Top 3 Male & Female Age Group Event Results - HERE 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+ Upstate Trail/Ultra - Age Group Point Series Standings - HERE   Course Map - HERE
The course will consist of a 25k "Figure 8" Loop. The 50k runners will perform the loop twice. The 25k Runners will perform a single loop and the 8 mile runners will perform the top side of the "Figure 8" loop on the north side of the state park. Signs will be posted and all runners will check in at the middle of the  "Figure 8" which will be held at the Activity Center adjacent to participant parking.    Personal Tent Set Up & Drop Bags
Athletes who are not camping are permitted to have a drop bag or personal tent near the aid station. Please be mindful to place your personal belongings off the course as to not impede the runners, the flow of traffic, or other race participants. The start and finish line loop will serve as the official drop bag area designation. When you are finished with your race please "pack in and pack out" making the host facility look better than you found it. 
  Address Runners can enter the park at the following address: 450 Croft State Park Road, Spartanburg, SC 29302. Once you enter the park please follow the signs to main park office adjacent to Campground loop 1 & 2. Any additional parking can be found adjacent to the horse stables and will be marked accordingly.    Aid Stations There is one aid stations on course that will be located at the start/finish. Items may include: pickles, cookies, chips, Little Debbie snacks, assorted candy, chicken/veggie broth, fig newtons, & pretzels. Liquids will include water, Tailwind Nutrition, coke, and ginger ale. If you would like to donate an aid station supply of something that we do not offer or that is homemade feel free!  Cup-less Event: Please provide your own hydration vessel for use at our aid stations