6 Fall 5K Races Charleston SC and Mount Pleasant SC Runners Can Still Sign Up For

Six 5K races run in Charleston, Mount Pleasant and the nearby islands between Oct. 3 and Nov. 26, 2026. Cooler mornings and lower humidity make fall the easiest season in South Carolina to sign up for a first 5K or chase a faster finish.

This guide lists each running race in date order with its start time, location and registration link. Details were checked Sept. 29, 2026, so view the event page again during race week in case organizers change plans.

Blue Sky Endurance is a locally owned running, cycling, swimming and triathlon shop with stores on Coleman Boulevard and in Carolina Park, plus The Foot Store on Highway 17. We fit Lowcountry runners in shoes from On Running, Nike, Adidas and Mount to Coast and host free group runs every week.

5 key takeaways for Charleston 5K runners

Six 5K running events land between Sat., Oct. 3, and Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 2026, across Isle of Palms, Mount Pleasant, James Island and downtown Charleston.
The James Island Connector Run moved from Oct. 17 to Sat., Oct. 31, and registered runners transfer to the new date automatically.
The Turkey Day Run has no race day registration or packet pickup, so plan on the Marion Square expo on Wed., Nov. 25.
Both connector courses climb bridges, so add hill work to your training if you enter either race.
A well-fitted daily trainer matters more than a race shoe for a 5K, and Blue Sky Endurance hosts free group runs on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Why fall is 5K race season in Charleston, South Carolina

Fall gives Lowcountry runners a break from summer heat. By Thanksgiving week, Charleston typically sees highs near 64 degrees and lows near 50, based on climate normals shown on the Turkey Day Run event listing.

A 3.1-mile race takes six to eight weeks to train for, and several local 5Ks raise money for schools and children's charities. That mix makes the 5K a popular first race for new runners, families and walkers.

Upcoming 5K running events in Charleston and Mt Pleasant SC

These six races are listed in date order, from the first Saturday in October through Thanksgiving morning. Save the dates that fit your schedule and share them with your training partners.

1. Isle of Palms Connector Run and Walk for the Child (Sat., Oct. 3)

The 35th annual run starts on Isle of Palms, crosses the connector into Mount Pleasant and returns to the island. It is fully nonprofit, and proceeds go to Charleston-area groups that prevent child abuse and help families heal.

8:00 a.m. start on Isle of Palms, SC
5K run or walk, 10K run or walk and a family fun run
View event and register

2. We Love Teachers 5K Charleston (Sat., Oct. 10)

Charleston is one of 10 host cities for this national event run, held locally at Laurel Hill County Park in Mount Pleasant. Each runner can dedicate the race to a teacher, who then receives a digital certificate of appreciation.

Laurel Hill County Park, 1251 Park West Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC
Chip timing, a race shirt, a finisher medal and a national school team leaderboard
View event and register

3. Wando Warrior 5K (Sat., Oct. 24)

The third annual Wando Warrior 5K Run/Walk starts at the District 2 Stadium at Wando High School, right after a kids' fun run around the track. Families can stay afterward for food trucks, jump castles and awards.

Kids' run at 8:00 a.m., 5K at 8:30 a.m. and race morning packet pickup from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m.
District 2 Stadium, 1000 Warrior Way, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
About $45.50 with fees, with lower rates for Charleston County School District students and employees
View event and register

4. James Island Connector Run (Sat., Oct. 31, new date)

This Charleston race moved from Oct. 17 to Oct. 31 because the city needed the change for race-day police staffing. Registrations transfer automatically, and the course, distances and start stay the same.

The USATF-certified out-and-back course stays on the connector above the Ashley River, with views of the downtown peninsula. Organizers call it one of the most challenging courses in the Lowcountry.

8:00 a.m. start at 770 Daniel Ellis Drive, Charleston, SC 29412
5K run, 5K walk and 8K run, benefiting the Charleston Animal Society
View event and register

5. Old Village Harbor 5K (Sat., Nov. 14)

The only 5K road race in Mount Pleasant's Old Village turns 27 this year. Its USATF-certified course starts and finishes at Alhambra Hall, and dogs and strollers are welcome.

8:30 a.m. start at Alhambra Hall, 131 Middle Street, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
$40 in person or $30 virtual, with shirts guaranteed for entries before Sat., Nov. 7
View event and register

6. Turkey Day Run and Gobble Wobble 5K (Thu., Nov. 26)

The 49th annual Turkey Day Run fills downtown Charleston on Thanksgiving morning, and organizers call it the third-largest Thanksgiving Day 5K in the country. Proceeds support local charities.

5K at 9:00 a.m. and kids' fun run at 10:30 a.m. in Marion Square
Packet pickup at the Marion Square expo on Wed., Nov. 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with no race day registration or pickup
View event and register

A six-week 5K training plan for South Carolina runners

Six weeks of steady training gets many healthy beginners to a 5K finish line. If you have a health condition or have been inactive, check with your doctor before you start.

Weeks 1 and 2: Run-walk three days a week for 20 to 25 minutes, alternating 1 to 2 minutes of easy running with 1 minute of walking.
Weeks 3 and 4: Stretch the running segments to 3 to 5 minutes and make one session 30 minutes long.
Week 5: Run 2 to 2.5 miles without stopping, and add easy climbs on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge path if your race crosses a connector.
Week 6: Cut your total running by about a third and rest the day before the race.
Race morning: Eat a breakfast you have tested on training days and arrive 45 minutes early.

Running shoes and gear for your next 5K

A 5K does not require a carbon-plated race shoe. Most runners do best in a comfortable daily trainer they have already run in, paired with light clothes for a humid Lowcountry morning.

Get fitted for women's running shoes or men's running shoes at least three weeks before race day so you can log training miles in them. We carry On Running, Nike, Adidas and Mount to Coast.
Technical fabric from our women's running apparel and men's running apparel dries faster than cotton on a warm start line.
A GPS watch or running light from our electronics and accessories collection helps you pace intervals and stay visible after the time change.
Oofos recovery sandals give you an easy pair to change into after the finish.
Student athletes can shop cross-country spikes for meets and save their trainers for road 5Ks.

Free group runs in Mount Pleasant, SC

Training with a group keeps you consistent until race day. Blue Sky Endurance hosts two free weekly group runs, and every pace is welcome.

Monday at 6:15 p.m.: 3 to 5 miles from our Carolina Park shop at 3510 Park Avenue Blvd., Suite 102, with dynamic stretching at 6:00 p.m. Monday miles count toward the Road to 100K Club and a free tank top.
Saturday at 7:00 a.m.: a group run from our shop at 624 Coleman Blvd. It doubles as a rehearsal for an early race start.

5K race FAQs for Charleston, SC and Mt Pleasant SC

Are there any 5K races in Charleston, SC this fall?

Yes. Downtown Charleston hosts the Turkey Day Run on Thu., Nov. 26, and the James Island Connector Run 5K is on Sat., Oct. 31. Kiawah Island Marathon weekend, starting Fri., Dec. 11, also lists a 5K.

What 5K races are in Mt Pleasant, SC?

Mount Pleasant hosts the We Love Teachers 5K on Oct. 10, the Wando Warrior 5K on Oct. 24 and the Old Village Harbor 5K on Nov. 14. The IOP Connector Run on Oct. 3 also crosses into Mount Pleasant before returning to the island.

What are some popular 5K races in South Carolina?

The Charleston Turkey Day Run is one of the biggest, and organizers call it the third-largest Thanksgiving Day 5K in the country. The IOP Connector Run is another local favorite that has given more than $1.3 million to Charleston charities over 35 years.

Is there a 10K race in Charleston, SC?

Yes. The IOP Connector Run on Oct. 3 includes a 10K, and the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K from Mount Pleasant to downtown Charleston is scheduled for Sat., April 3, 2027.

What shoes should I wear for a 5K?

Wear a comfortable, properly fitted running shoe you have already trained in rather than a brand-new pair. Sizing varies between brands and models, so try several options before you buy.

Shop 5K running shoes and gear at Blue Sky Endurance

Pick your race, register this week and give yourself time to train in shoes that fit. The IOP Connector Run is Sat., Oct. 3, and the rest of the fall calendar follows fast.

Shop women's running shoes, men's running shoes, women's apparel and men's apparel online, or visit our Coleman Boulevard or Carolina Park store for a fitting. Browse all of our running gear on the Run page, then join a free group run to start training.

Walkers entering a 5K run-walk can also visit The Foot Store at 1909 N. Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant. Its team focuses on comfort-first fitting for walking and all-day wear.