Off to the races

17 fall races to start training for

It’s no secret that Charleston-area residents love the outdoors. From Folly Beach to Hampton Park and everywhere in-between, health-conscious locals can be seen kicking up their heels + jogging across the region.

This fall, there will be plenty of organized opportunities for walkers + runners alike to join forces and push each other across the finish line. While some races are just for kicks, others raise money to give back to the community or a certain cause. What more motivation do you need to tie up those laces than helping out your neighbors? Plus, sometimes– you even get a t-shirt and a banana. 🍌

For all of you seasoned runners or first-time racers, here’s a list of 17 fall races to make you say cardi-oh yeah.

👟 Avondale 5K
📆 Oct. 13
📍 Triangle Char + Bar | 828 Savannah Hwy., West Ashley
⏰ 8 a.m.
💰 $35 in advance; $40 the day of
A USATF certified 5K course that winds through Avondale. Well-behaved dogs + strollers are welcome.

👟 Lowcountry Trail Half Marathon & 5K
📆 Oct. 13
📍 Johns Island County Park
⏰ 8:30 a.m.
💰 $25-$40 in advance
Registration includes a post-race beverage + food. Participants ages 10-15 may register if accompanied by an adult. Dogs are not permitted on the course. Strollers are not recommended.

👟 James Island Connector Run
📆 Oct. 27
📍 Cannon Park | 131 Rutledge Ave.
⏰ 8:30 a.m.
💰 $35-$50
Choose between a 10K run, a 10K bike ride, a 5K run, or a 5K walk. The post-race party at Cannon Park will include refreshments, music, a beer garden, and a kids zone. Proceeds benefit the Gavalas Kolanko Foundation– a local charity that awards scholarships to students with physical disabilities at in the Lowcountry.

👟Run Like the Devil– 1 Mile or 5K
📆 Oct. 27
📍 Johns Island Mullet Hall |2662 Mullet Hall Rd.
⏰ 9 a.m.
💰 $20-$40
The Charleston Collegiate School’s annual family-friendly race. Registration includes a t-shirt, race bib, + BBQ ticket.

👟 Race for Freedom 5K
📆 Oct. 27
📍Wannamaker Park | 8888 University Blvd., North Charleston
⏰ 9 a.m.
💰$25 to run; $15 to walk + $2 park entry
Come dressed as your favorite superhero + support local survivors of human trafficking. Deadline to register is Oct.17.

👟 Lung Force Run/Walk
📆 Nov. 3
📍 Folly Beach Fishing Pier | 101 E. Arctic Ave.
⏰ 9 a.m.
💰 $20 for kids under 12; $30 for adults
Run or walk the 5K course to help raise awareness + funds to defeat lung cancer. Upon completing the race, enjoy a free breakfast on the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. All finishers will receive a medal, and the top male + female runners will each receive a Lung Force surfboard.

👟 Holiday Festival of Lights Fun Run & Walk
📆 Nov. 7 + 8
📍 James Island County Park
⏰ 6:30 p.m.
💰 $12 (price increases to $15 on Nov. 7)
Join the two-mile, non-competitive run/walk to preview the Holiday Festival of Lights. Once you cross the finish line, participants can enjoy the festival + park.

👟 Old Village Harbor 5K
📆 Nov. 10
📍 Alhambra Hall | 131 Middle St., Mt. Pleasant
⏰ 8:30 a.m.
💰 $30 (price increases to $35 on Nov. 1)
A family-friendly USATF certified race course with dogs + strollers allowed. Post-race, enjoy an after-party with refreshments + music.

👟 Spartanburg Spartan Race
📆 Nov. 17 + 18
📍 100 E Campus Blvd., Spartanburg
⏰ Times vary
💰 $79.99-$284.99
For more serious athletes, the Spartanburg Spartan Race is returning to the Carolinas for the second year in a row with the Ultra, Beast, + Sprint weekend. Those new to the race can start with the Sprint Race, while seasoned Spartans can take on the Spartan Beast. From three miles to 30 miles with obstacles, these races are for those who are brave + ready for a challenge.

👟 Chili 5K
📆 Nov. 17
📍 Laurel Hill County Park | 1400 SC-41, Mt. Pleasant
⏰ 9 a.m.
💰 $28 (price increases to $34 on Nov. 16)
Trek through moss-draped trails then enjoy a post-race party with hot chili + cold beer. Race hoodies are guaranteed to participants who register prior to Oct. 15. Dogs are not permitted.

👟Bohicket Half Marathon + 5K
📆 Nov. 17
📍Bohicket Marina | 1880 Andell Bluff Blvd., Johns Island
⏰ 7 a.m.
💰$30-$75
Proceeds from the race benefit the Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club + the Charleston Running Club.

👟 Purple Haze 5K Run/Walk
📆 Nov. 17
📍 Governors Park, Daniel Island
⏰ 9 a.m.
💰 $27.50 ($32.50 to run with your dog)
Proceeds support PAALS– Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services.

👟 41st Annual Turkey Day Run & Gobble Wobble 5K
📆 Nov. 22
📍 Marion Square
⏰ 9 a.m.
💰 $30+
The annual Thanksgiving day tradition is a family-friendly event with a kid’s race at 10:30 a.m. (pull behind wagons are allowed + must be in the walkers’ division, however; pets + strollers are not permissible). Registration includes a digital race packet with coupons, entry to the packet pickup festival on Nov. 21, + free beer at the after-party.

👟 Glow in the Dark Color Run– 1 mile or 5K
📆 Dec. 7
📍 1 Sanctuary Beach Dr., Kiawah Island
⏰ 5:30 p.m.
💰 $25-$45
Kickoff the Kiawah Island Marathon with a glow-in-the-dark 5K. A one-mile fun run is also available for kids seven + under.

👟 28th Annual Reindeer Run
📆 Dec. 8
📍 Corner of East Bay + Queen St.
⏰ 9 a.m.
💰 $25 for kids; $35 for adults; $10 for dogs
This year, 80% of the proceeds from the Reindeer Run are helping the campaign to build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital + 20% will be donated to the Charitable Society of Charleston. There will be a holiday costume contest with separate categories for adults, children, groups, + dogs.

👟 41st Annual Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon
📆 Dec. 8
📍 1 Sanctuary Beach Dr., Kiawah Island
⏰ 8 a.m.
💰 $115-$125 (price increases Dec. 1)
The half-marathon is open to ages 14+, while the full-marathon is offered for those ages 18+. The resort is offering two-night accommodations packages for participants.

👟 5th Annual Cocoa Cup 5K
📆 Dec. 15
📍 Brown Family Park at Nexton | Between Parkview Ln. + Front St., Summerville
⏰ 9:30 a.m.
💰 $35
5K racers will receive a commemorative Nike hoodie, a free cup of cocoa, + more. Kids race begins at 9 a.m. There will also be a holiday costume contest, a photo booth with Santa + Mrs. Claus, + more. Proceeds from this race will benefit East Cooper Community Outreach + the Lowcountry Food Bank.

My fiance and I are looking forward to continuing our tradition of running the Turkey Day Run & Gobble Wobble 5K on Thanksgiving morning. Other than that, the only running I’ll be doing this holiday season is running out of money. 💸 🤷‍

For those runners who can’t get enough– be sure to join the Charleston Running Club to stay up to date on upcoming races in the new year.

– Justine