Kiawah Island Marathon
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Event Details
The Kiawah Island Marathon is an annual running event taking place in December on Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The 2026 edition marks its 48th year. The main events occur on Saturday, December 12, with additional activities scheduled for Friday, December 11.
Distances
The event offers several distances:
- Marathon (26.2 miles)
- Half-Marathon (13.1 miles)
- Jingle Shells 5K
- Jingle Shells 1 Mile Fun Run
- Virtual Marathon
- Virtual Half-Marathon
The marathon and half-marathon start together. Age requirements are 18+ for the marathon and 14+ for the half-marathon.
Course and Location
The course is described as scenic, taking runners through the natural landscapes of Kiawah Island, featuring live oaks and salt marshes. Runners cross the finish line to cheers from friends and family.
Participant Experience
Registration includes a soft-blend participant shirt, a collectible finisher medal, on-course pace teams, and complimentary post-race buffet access for bibbed runners. The event utilizes the RaceJoy app for live phone tracking, GPS progress alerts, and sending cheers. An official post-race celebration is held. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
