About

The Carolina Reaper Challenge is an endurance event designed for runners ready to test their grit in the intense summer heat of South Carolina. Set on a mostly shaded, paved 2.6-mile loop at the sprawling 240-acre Riverwest Nature Preserve—formerly a golf course—the course features rolling cart paths, wooden bridges, scenic waterfalls, and riverside views. The layout ensures frequent returns to the central Athlete Village, allowing competitors to recover, refuel, and connect with fellow participants between laps. For those braving the ultra distances, the 50k and team relay require completing multiple loops within strict 45-minute cutoff intervals per lap, making this not only a physical challenge but a race against time. With a lively atmosphere and the ever-present threat of "the Reaper," this race combines camaraderie with the intensity of a true summer survival test, promising a memorable experience for heat-seeking ultrarunners.