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 Ultra 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.   Upstate Event Management - Upcoming Events HERE Join us for one of our 30 events throughout the year. With something for everyone we have races that extend throughout the Upstate of South Carolina. From Lake Hartwell through the Foothill Mountain Range. Locations that cover all of the State Park systems into the Streets of Anderson, Greenville, Travelers Rest, and Spartanburg. We have events that offer opportunity to every level of runner looking to take on their next challenge!   Donations & Club Membership Discount - 15% OFF All club memberships to the Upstate Running Club and/or the South Carolina Ultra Marathon Club fund the Upstate Running Club Youth Team with over 200 members. The club provides FREE training services, training equipment, race uniforms, and comped race entries to our series throughout the year. All donations directly fund the club to help cover the costs of facility rentals, insurance, post practice snacks, team socials, and awards! The program is comprised of athletes of all abilities from ages 6-12 years old Upstate Running Club Membership - Sign Up HereSouth Carolina Ultra Marathon - Sign Up Here   Event Details What: 50k, 25k, 8 Mile Race Where: Croft State Park: 450 Croft State Park Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29302 When: November 11th - All Races Start at 8am Packet Pickup: will begin one hour prior to the race start near the starting line 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    Race Details P.O.W. 50k - December 10th @ 8am Infantry 25k - December 10th @ 8am Semper Fi 8 Mile - December 10th @ 8am   Race Swag Finisher Medal Custom Race Logo Sticker Upstate Ultra Sticker Complimentary Race Photos Custom Race Bib Upstate Race Series Crew Socks   Timing, Race Awards, & Results Top 3 Male and Female Overall in Each Race Each finisher will receive a finisher medal that will be branded with the race logo and custom lanyard. We will also publish our age group results that will coincide with our Race Series. This event will be chip timed with a reusable timing chip attached with an ankle strap. The timing chip will correspond with your bib number at packet pickup. The chip will be read by our timing hardware at the finish line and timing software. Results will be updated online periodically throughout the event. Please return your timing chip & strap at the conclusion of your event.  To learn more about our race series and awards please visit our age group standings: HERE  0-910-1213-1617-1920-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-5960-6465-6970-7980+   Course Map - HERE
The course will consist of a 7.8 mile loop that runs on both the north and southside set of trails going across the new liberty bridge that connects them. Both campground loops will be incorporated into the loop so if you reserved a campsite you will pass right by all your gear during the event. The trail is a combination of singlet track trails and some rolling wider trails on the southside. You will cross over the liberty Bridge on the way out and the way back before finishing at the activity center near Lake Craig and the horse show rings.    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    Meal Options Upstate Race Series will be offering a meal options for runners looking to grab some grub post run! We will not be selling meal tickets on race day due to pre-ordering enough supplies for our event staff, volunteers, and the runners who pre-ordered a meal. You can always come back to the "Meal Ticket" tab on the race website and purchase a meal ticket up to race day. If you would like to purchase multiple meals for yourself, your crew, or spectators please indicate the number in the quantity box. At packet pickup you will receive a meal ticket to be given to our volunteer cook during the designated serving timeframe. Specifically for Prisoner of War we will be serving one meal Saturday Lunch/Dinner from 1pm to 6pm   Camping Reservations & Admission - HERE Camping Contact the park directly (Utilizing Campground Loop 1: Sites 1-25) Once an World War II army training base, Croft State Park offers Camping and Day-Use reservations over more than 7,000-acres of wooded terrain. The Army infantry training camp was shut down in 1947 and two years later, the property was reopened as Croft State Park. With over 45 miles of trails to explore and 165-acre Lake Craig, the park is a recreational favorite for anyone who loves the outdoors. $5 adults - $1.50 SC seniors - $1.00 children age 6-15 - age 5 & younger are free   Race Partners Upcoming Events with Upstate Event Management - See Upcoming Races HERE 25 Annual Races with a wide variety of events including 5ks, Relays, Youth Events, and Ultra Marathons   Without Limits Coaching - Contact Our Coaches HERE Coaching Services that include training plans and/or race specific race plans and consultations for your next event   Upstate Running Club - Join & Donate for $5 OFF 100+ Local Races HERE Non-Profit club that funds the Youth Running Club in the upstate with a variety of events and club runs for adult   South Carolina Ultra Marathon Club - Join for 25% OFF Races HERE Trail & Ultra running club that helps support its members and races throughout the state of South Carolina   Jay Baker Photography Race Photos - See Photos HERE Complimentary race photos, music, and of course engagement with the crowd to bring you to the finish   Go Green Events Timing & Registration - More Info HERE Partnering with RunSignUp to bring you an easy registration process and accurate timing on race day.