Cottonmouth 8 Mile
Greenville, United States • 6 Jun 2026
Event
Cottonmouth 8 Mile & Beerlay takes place on June 6, 2026 at Lakewood Nature Preserve, 220 Lakewood Dr, Greenville, SC 29607. The event is an 8-mile trail event held at the preserve and includes a post-race party and organized yard games referred to as a Beer Olympics. Race proceeds support the Upstate Running Club Youth Team.
Format and rules
The main distance is 8 miles, completed as four 2-mile trail loops. Participants may enter as solo runners or as a relay team of 2 to 4 people; relay teams tag one runner per lap. Before every lap, runners are required to consume a randomly selected beverage from a BYOB community pool. The BYOB rules specify each runner brings four beers (5%+ ABV) to add to a shared iced pool; a volunteer hands a mystery beer, already opened and poured. The drinking portion is restricted to those 21 and older. Non-alcoholic, carbonated alternatives are permitted for minors and sober participants.
Course, amenities and awards
The course is described as a grassy trail loop with rolling hills, wildlife sightings, and a rustic barn that serves as race headquarters and beer staging. Registration includes a finisher medal, custom race bib, event giveaways, complimentary race photos, free admission to the preserve, post-race hot dog bar and party, and chip timing with 4-lap splits. Awards include top three overall male and female solo finishers and team awards across divisions: men's, women's, mixed/open, masters (40+), and youth (under 21). Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.