Sat, Mar 6, 2027

Race the Helix-Upstate

Greenville, SC

Opens Dec 2, 2026Annual since at least 2022

5K1 Mile

About the Race the Helix-Upstate

Race the Helix-Upstate takes place at Lake Conestee Nature Park, where the main event follows a trail course and a shorter option stays on pavement, both accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. The race grew from one family's effort to support genetic disorder research, and that origin gives the morning a genuine sense of purpose rather than just a starting gun.

The park has its own lot, and the organizers suggest arriving early and carpooling if you can. Check-in opens on race morning before the start, and anyone who still needs to register can do so from their phone until the race begins. Pre-packaged snacks, water, and coffee are on hand after you finish.

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Race the Helix-Upstate 2026 Results

Going by the 2026 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

5K Results · 2026

114finishers

19:34winner

30:55median

1:02:09cutoff

Top 3: Homero Cruz (19:34) · Mike Mercier (19:43) · Matt Swilley (20:40)

The Race the Helix-Upstate has been held every year since at least 2022. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 5K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Oct 23, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K3/6/2027 09:00$25

1 Mile3/6/2027 09:00Free

5K3/6/2027 09:00$25

1 Mile3/6/2027 09:00Free

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Not sure what to aim for? The 5K pace chart lists the pace for every finish time.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the Race the Helix-Upstate

Will I finish last at the Race the Helix-Upstate?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 30:55, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:02:09, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Race the Helix-Upstate a good first 5K?

It is a small race (114 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 5K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Race the Helix-Upstate?

The 5K winner ran 19:34 while the median finisher took 30:55. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.