Greenville‑area families and runners are gearing up for the 18th annual Turkey Day Run, scheduled for Nov. 26. The event, one of the largest races in South Carolina’s Upstate, expects roughly 9,000 participants and partners with nonprofit TreesUpstate to give each registrant a free native tree.
Family‑friendly race with a green twist
Kelly Byers, deputy executive director of TreesUpstate, highlighted the intergenerational appeal of the run, noting that the youngest registrant is two years old while the oldest is 87. Registration costs $35 for the 8K run, 5K fun run, or walk, and includes a choice of oak, pecan, redbud or other native species to plant at home.
“It’s fun when families come to pick out their trees and the kids say, ‘This tree is speaking to me,’ or parents say, ‘In my country it’s traditional to plant a tree when a new baby is born,’” Byers said.
TreesUpstate’s impact and future plans
Since its founding in 2005 as TreesGreenville, the organization has given away and planted more than 60,000 trees across Pickens, Anderson, Oconee and Spartanburg counties. More than 1,000 trees have been placed along the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, and the NeighborWood project supplies 80‑100 trees for residents to plant in yards or common areas, emphasizing tree‑equity in neighborhoods.
Byers pointed to a San Souci neighborhood project that is creating a shaded common area, saying, “It’s fun to hear different ways people use the trees to restore their communities.”
Why trees matter for a fast‑growing region
South Carolina ranks among the nation’s fastest‑growing states, and Upstate cities such as Woodruff, Greer, Fountain Inn and Mauldin are expanding rapidly. Planting trees helps preserve quality of life by offsetting carbon emissions, reducing storm‑water runoff, improving air and water quality, and lowering home energy costs.
“Trees provide positive health benefits, cleaner air and water, and shade that can reduce home energy costs. They preserve habitat for wildlife and help reduce flooding by limiting stormwater runoff,” Byers said. “Local governments have goals for the tree canopy, but we can all contribute by planting trees of different ages, improving its resilience for the future.”
Support from the Community Foundation of Greenville
On Sept. 25, 2025, the Community Foundation of Greenville awarded TreesUpstate a $7,800 Capacity Building Grant. The funds will help launch a Mobile Urban Forestry Field Platform to digitize field operations, allowing staff, interns and volunteers to collect data, map plantings and track maintenance more efficiently.
Residents who wish to join the Turkey Day Run or learn more about TreesUpstate’s tree‑giving program can visit treesupstate.org.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
