Light the Trail 5K and Fun Run
- Date Thu 17th September 2026
- Time 6:00PM EDT
- Location Clemson, South Carolina
- Price $11.60 - $27.50
- Races 2 races
- Distances 1 Mile, 5km
Event summary
Get ready to lace up your running shoes for the inaugural Light the Trail 5K and 1-Mile Family Fun Run on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in the vibrant Patrick Square community of Clemson, Pickens! This exciting evening event is not only a fantastic opportunity to get moving but also supports a great cause—the Green Crescent Trail and its ambitious 15x30 vision to create a network of connected trails across the greater Clemson area by 2030.
Participants of all ages and abilities are invited to join in the fun, whether you're racing for a personal best in the 5K or enjoying a leisurely stroll in the Family Fun Run. The scenic course winds through the charming streets of Patrick Square, culminating in a lively post-race gathering at the Village Green. Here, you can indulge in local food and drink specials, enjoy live music, and participate in family activities—all while fostering community spirit. Don't miss this chance to celebrate movement, connectivity, and a brighter future for our neighborhoods. Mark your calendars and get ready to light the trail together!
Participants of all ages and abilities are invited to join in the fun, whether you're racing for a personal best in the 5K or enjoying a leisurely stroll in the Family Fun Run. The scenic course winds through the charming streets of Patrick Square, culminating in a lively post-race gathering at the Village Green. Here, you can indulge in local food and drink specials, enjoy live music, and participate in family activities—all while fostering community spirit. Don't miss this chance to celebrate movement, connectivity, and a brighter future for our neighborhoods. Mark your calendars and get ready to light the trail together!
Organiser's Description
BENEFITING THE GREEN CRESCENT TRAIL AND A MORE WALKABLE, BIKEABLE GREATER CLEMSON AREA!
Join us for a lively evening of movement, community and celebration at the inaugural Light the Trail 5K and 1-Mile Family Fun Run in Clemsons Patrick Square community, Thursday, September 17, 2026. _(Rain date: September 24, 2026.)_
Held just before Clemson Universitys Parents Weekend, this family-friendly event invites area runners and walkers, University students and their parents, alumni, neighbors and trail supporters of all ages to move together and support the Green Crescent Trail and its bold 15x30 vision: creating 15 connected miles of trail across Clemson, Central and Pendleton by 2030.
Participants will enjoy a scenic evening course through the streets of Patrick Square, followed by a lively post-race community gathering on the Village Green featuring local food, drinks, music and family activities. Professional timing provided by UPSTATE RACE SERIES.
Whether you are chasing a personal best, walking with friends or pushing a stroller under the fall lights, every step helps raise awareness and support for safer, more connected and more active communities across the region.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
* Evening 5K race through Patrick Square
* 1-mile Family Fun Run open to all ages and abilities
* Awards for various ages and groups, costume contest, and raffle prizes
* Post-race community gathering at the Village Green
* Breakfast-for-dinner specials at Sunnyside Cafe
* Food and beer specials at Kite Hill Brewing Co.
* Music, dancing, family activities and community partner booths
* Green Crescent Trail and 15x30 campaign information
* Opportunity to support future trail connectivity in the Clemson area
WHY WE RUN
The Green Crescent Trail connects neighborhoods, schools, parks, campuses and downtowns across the greater Clemson region through safe, accessible multi-use trails. The new 15x30 campaign is focused on expanding that vision into a connected 15-mile regional network by the year 2030.
Light the Trail is more than a race. It is a celebration of movement, connectivity, and a bright, active future for our community.
Every mile matters. GO. CONNECT! Lets light the trail together!
RACE PACKET PICKUP
Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 15-16, 8-10 a.m. Sunnyside Cafe
Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 15-16, 4-6 p.m., Kite Hill Brewing
Thursday, Sept. 17 RACE DAY! 5-6 p.m, Village Green
_REGISTRATION PRICES INCREASE BEGINNING SEPT. 2, 2026!_
RACE COURSE
This 3.1-mile course winds through the scenic Patrick Square community. The race begins and ends by the Village Green retail district and loops twice around the neighborhood, with a gentle, gradual topography that is ideal for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Pershing Avenue at Issaqueena Trail will be closed to traffic when the race is taking place. Neighborhood entrances at Keller Boulevard and Chapman Hill Road, along with access to retail parking, will remain open during the duration of the Light the Trail event. Race course elevation ranges from a minimum 721 feet to a maximum 825 feet.
Join us for a lively evening of movement, community and celebration at the inaugural Light the Trail 5K and 1-Mile Family Fun Run in Clemsons Patrick Square community, Thursday, September 17, 2026. _(Rain date: September 24, 2026.)_
Held just before Clemson Universitys Parents Weekend, this family-friendly event invites area runners and walkers, University students and their parents, alumni, neighbors and trail supporters of all ages to move together and support the Green Crescent Trail and its bold 15x30 vision: creating 15 connected miles of trail across Clemson, Central and Pendleton by 2030.
Participants will enjoy a scenic evening course through the streets of Patrick Square, followed by a lively post-race community gathering on the Village Green featuring local food, drinks, music and family activities. Professional timing provided by UPSTATE RACE SERIES.
Whether you are chasing a personal best, walking with friends or pushing a stroller under the fall lights, every step helps raise awareness and support for safer, more connected and more active communities across the region.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
* Evening 5K race through Patrick Square
* 1-mile Family Fun Run open to all ages and abilities
* Awards for various ages and groups, costume contest, and raffle prizes
* Post-race community gathering at the Village Green
* Breakfast-for-dinner specials at Sunnyside Cafe
* Food and beer specials at Kite Hill Brewing Co.
* Music, dancing, family activities and community partner booths
* Green Crescent Trail and 15x30 campaign information
* Opportunity to support future trail connectivity in the Clemson area
WHY WE RUN
The Green Crescent Trail connects neighborhoods, schools, parks, campuses and downtowns across the greater Clemson region through safe, accessible multi-use trails. The new 15x30 campaign is focused on expanding that vision into a connected 15-mile regional network by the year 2030.
Light the Trail is more than a race. It is a celebration of movement, connectivity, and a bright, active future for our community.
Every mile matters. GO. CONNECT! Lets light the trail together!
RACE PACKET PICKUP
Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 15-16, 8-10 a.m. Sunnyside Cafe
Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 15-16, 4-6 p.m., Kite Hill Brewing
Thursday, Sept. 17 RACE DAY! 5-6 p.m, Village Green
_REGISTRATION PRICES INCREASE BEGINNING SEPT. 2, 2026!_
RACE COURSE
This 3.1-mile course winds through the scenic Patrick Square community. The race begins and ends by the Village Green retail district and loops twice around the neighborhood, with a gentle, gradual topography that is ideal for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Pershing Avenue at Issaqueena Trail will be closed to traffic when the race is taking place. Neighborhood entrances at Keller Boulevard and Chapman Hill Road, along with access to retail parking, will remain open during the duration of the Light the Trail event. Race course elevation ranges from a minimum 721 feet to a maximum 825 feet.
Races
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Location
108 Thomas Green Blvd, Clemson, 29631, SC, United States
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Light the Trail 5K and Fun Run
