The Sand Monster
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The Sand Monster : Sesquicentennial State Park, Columbia, SC
The Sand Monster is a timed 6-hour trail event held on March 15, 2026, at Sesquicentennial State Park in Columbia, South Carolina (9564 Two Notch Road). The event uses a looped trail course and allows participants to run as many loops as they can within the six-hour limit. Registration for the event closes on March 12.
Course, format, and awards
The course is a 3.5-mile loop with about 270 feet of elevation gain per loop. It includes a mix of single track and double track, a longer sandy climb described as runnable, and trails mostly covered with pine needles over compact sand. The route is shaded by trees and will be marked on course.
A single completed 3.5-mile loop within the six-hour race window counts as a finish. All laps must be completed before the race cutoff; ties on total laps are settled by the finishing order of the last completed lap. Race organizers provide package pickup and a pre-race briefing, and hold awards and a post-race raffle. Each starter and volunteer will receive a Boco Gear technical trucker hat (late registrants may not receive one) and starters receive a personalized inspiration card from a local 5th grader. Awards include top four overall male and female finishers, top male and female grand masters (50+), plus spirit and other special awards; there are no individual age-group awards. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.