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The Dark Horse

$50

($15: Ages 1 - 17)

8:00AM EDT 3:00PM EDT

Price increases after May 1, 2027 at 11:59pm EDT

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Tour the Tryon Equestrian Park

$45

($15: Ages 1 - 17)

8:00AM EDT 3:00PM EDT

Price increases after May 1, 2027 at 11:59pm EDT

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Gallup through the stables

$30

($15: Ages 1 - 17)

8:00AM EDT 3:00PM EDT

Price increases after May 1, 2027 at 11:59pm EDT

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Upstate Race Series

Dark Horse Trail Series

Tryon Equestrian Center, Mill Spring, NC

"To Make an Impact… Risk Being a Dark Horse"

“

The Dark Horse Trail Series is a loop course with a simple promise: the same 6.5-mile stretch of dirt and single-track, run as many times as your distance demands. Pick your fight — 10K, half, or full marathon — and let the meadows of a working equestrian center test how many loops you've got in you. This is a race built around a motto, not just a mileage: to make an impact, you have to be willing to risk being the dark horse — the runner nobody saw coming.

Choose your distance: the Dark Horse Marathon (26.2 miles), the Dark Horse Half Marathon (13.1 miles), or the Dark Horse 10K — all run out of the Tryon Equestrian Center, a working horse park in the foothills of Mill Spring, North Carolina.

The course consists of a 6.5-mile loop that meanders through the equestrian center, with a mixture of wide packed dirt paths, single-track trails, and open meadows, gaining 600 feet of elevation per loop. Your registered distance determines how many times around you'll go — the terrain doesn't change from lap to lap, but your legs will have an opinion about it by the last one.

Because every distance shares the same loop, you'll pass the start/finish area — and the aid station, and the crowd — every single time around, whether you're out there for one loop or four.

Race Day Details

What	Dark Horse Marathon (26.2mi) · Half Marathon (13.1mi) · 10K
When	August 22, 2026 · Race starts at 8:00 AM
Where	Tryon Equestrian Center
Address	25 International Blvd, Mill Spring, NC 28756
Packet Pickup	Start/Finish Line — Green Timing & Check-In tent near the General Store, opening 1 hour before your event
Time Limit	Marathon runners have 6 hours to complete the course, but must start their last lap before the 5-hour mark.

Course

The course consists of a 6.5-mile loop that meanders through the equestrian center with a mixture of wide packed dirt paths, single-track trails, and meadows, offering 600 feet of elevation gain per loop. Marathon, half, and 10K runners all share the same terrain — just a different number of trips around it.

View Strava Course Map →

Parking

Parking costs $5.00, charged as part of registration, and covers your event entrance for the day. Follow the posted parking signs to the General Store area, adjacent to the start/finish line.

Aid Stations

There is one aid station, located at the start and finish line — since every distance shares the same loop, you'll pass it every time around.

Available snacks:

Pickles Cookies Chips Fig Newtons Pretzels

Hydration:

Water Coke Ginger Ale

Cup-less event — please bring your own hydration vessel.

What's Included

Park Entry Included

Roll in ready to run — no gate fee to worry about.

Custom Race Bib

Your badge of the journey.

Chip Timing & Live Results

Splits and live results, loop by loop.

Custom Finisher Medal

To commemorate the triumph.

Custom Race Tattoo

Wear the moment proudly.

Event-Themed Giveaways

A little extra swag for finishing strong.

Race Sticker

Keep the memory riding shotgun on your bottle, cooler, or laptop.

Wildly Charged Hydration Sample

A little extra refresh after you've conquered the trail.

Post-Race Vibes

Complimentary professional race photos capture the grit and the glory — hang around at the finish line and celebrate every loop you put in.

Race Awards

Top 3 Overall (Male & Female)

The fastest three finishers will each receive a trophy to honor their achievement at the front of the pack.

Age Group Awards (Male & Female)

The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in each of 15 age categories will earn an age group medal — a custom piece to add to your finisher's lanyard at the end of the event.

Series Recognition

This race counts toward consistency and performance recognition across the season in these two series:

Upstate Trail Series Upstate Ultra Series

Giving Back

Every Upstate Race Series event is part of the Upstate Giving Series, which connects our 30 races with 30 nonprofit organizations serving communities across the Upstate. Your registration and any donation you add at checkout go to work close to home — you are not just running a race, you are funding the work of a neighbor.

Upstate Giving Series

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+

Groups & Teams

$5 Discount & Refund for Groups with 5+ Members

The Upstate Running Club welcomes all local and regional running clubs to our events — the more the merrier. Calling all running clubs and social run groups: Upstate Race Series welcomes crews of all kinds to join the fun. Whether your squad is full of weekend warriors, sunrise chasers, or runners motivated by the promise of a cold drink at the finish, we've got an event for you.

Sign up, share with friends and local running clubs, and cash in on race discounts and refunds when your team, run club, or band of misfits hits 5 runners or more.

Good to Know

Are dogs allowed on the course?

Yes, absolutely — just keep them maintained on a leash.

Are headphones or earbuds allowed?

Yes, jam away — just do not miss an arrow or a turn while you are rocking out.

Can someone else pick up my packet for me?

Negative, Ghost Rider.

Is there race-day registration?

Yes, you can register with your mobile device on race day.

Is there gear check or somewhere to leave personal items?

Yes — there is a long open grass field (uncovered) where runners can stash their belongings between laps, right at the start/finish line of the 10K race loop.

Are there restrooms near the start/finish or on course?

There are porta-johns at the start/finish line and a couple out on the course, along with plenty of woods. Yeah, we said it.

Will I get a medal or a shirt?

All participants receive a medal. If you are unable to complete the distance you signed up for, we will drop you down to the next available distance. Shirts can be ordered through our Apparel Now site or the registration store for pickup on race day.

Managing Your Registration

Everything about your entry lives in your RunSignUp profile. Sign in, find this race under your upcoming events, and make the change yourself — there is no need to email us first. From there you can:

•	Transfer your entry to another runner
•	Switch to a different distance at this race
•	Transfer your entry to a different Upstate Race Series event
•	Update your personal details — name, address, emergency contact, shirt size
•	Manage add-ons, store items, and apparel purchases

All entries are final. We do not offer refunds or deferrals — but every option above stays open to you right up to race day, so a change of plans does not have to mean a wasted entry.

Manage My Registration →