Sunshine Festival 5k
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Event overview
The Sunshine Festival July 4th 5k & 1 mile takes place on Saturday, July 4, 2026, on St. Simons Island. The event includes a 5 km race, a 1 mile run, and a Push Rim division for adaptive athletes using racing strollers. The 5k course is USATF certified. The start and finish are at Kings Park / St Simons Park on Park Avenue, across from Mallery Park and beside the basketball court.
Logistics and awards
The event is chip timed; only the overall fastest male and female are scored by gun time while Masters and age-group results use chip time. All 5k and 1-mile finishers wearing a bib receive a finisher medal. Awards cover overall, Masters, Grand Masters, Senior Masters, and age groups for the 5k, and separate placements for the 1-mile by age categories. Teams may be eligible for fastest and largest team awards under stated rules. Packet pickup is available the day before as walk-up registration; there are no race-day registrations. The start line is self-seeded by expected pace and is divided into ten pace sections. Facilities listed near the start include multiple permanent bathrooms, porta-potties, race photography, and on-site food and beverage vendors. Parking is limited; nearby street, park, village, library, and lighthouse areas are noted. Proceeds support the Golden Isles Track Club. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
