Race through historic Charleston, celebrate with Shrimp and Grits, and explore everything the #1 City in the U.S. has to offer! This year’s Charleston Half Marathon® is a scenic 13.1-mile run that will showcase the beauty and the history of the Lowcountry, featuring Hampton Park, The Citadel, The Battery, Iconic …
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Race through historic Charleston, celebrate with Shrimp and Grits, and explore everything the #1 City in the U.S. has to offer!
This year’s Charleston Half Marathon® is a scenic 13.1-mile run that will showcase the beauty and the history of the Lowcountry, featuring Hampton Park, The Citadel, The Battery, Iconic King Street, and a finish at Charleston’s oldest working distillery, Firefly Distillery. Local bands will be along the course to keep you moving!
The Shrimp and Grits 5K will take place in North Charleston, near Park Circle, and run on portions of the official Charleston Marathon course. It will share the same finish line as the Half Marathon and Youth Marathon.
After completing your race, join us for our post-race party adjacent to the finish line at Firefly Distillery, Charleston oldest working distillery! In addition to live music, awards and finisher gift, we’ll have plenty of food and drinks for all participants. Each half marathon and 5K registrant will be one ticket for shrimp and grits and one drink ticket (ages 21+). Additional tickets for shrimp and grits and drinks will be for sale onsite.
LESS
Tale of two halves
The first half of this race is exactly what you would hope for from a half marathon in a beautiful location like Charleston. Beautiful views of the water, houses, and … MORE
The first half of this race is exactly what you would hope for from a half marathon in a beautiful location like Charleston. Beautiful views of the water, houses, and downtown. However, the second half is far below average for a course. I can’t really stress how horrible the second half was. Industrial, construction zones. Not to mention the course was a half a mile long.
Swag and expo were good, and Charleston is always fun to visit. I would recommend it, but I hope they can improve the course.
Flat 5k, nice medals/shirt, fun party!
Packet pickup is downtown and parking and traffic on the Friday before the race can be crazy. Give yourself lots of time and be patient with finding parking, even in … MORE
Packet pickup is downtown and parking and traffic on the Friday before the race can be crazy. Give yourself lots of time and be patient with finding parking, even in the designated garage. Packet pickup once inside is a breeze and it’s a full blown expo with lots of runner supplies available for sale.
Nice shirt giveaway, this year it was a black tech long sleeve. Medals were great, especially if you’re lucky enough to place in the top 3 in your age group (see my photo).
No shuttle needed if you’re doing the 5k and if so, plentiful parking all over the place near the start. Note that all 3 distances start in different locations, but all 3 finish in the same spot. Everyone except 5kers will have to catch the free bus shuttle back to the start (and you’ll be hot and sweaty while doing it!).
5k course is all flat and fast…nothing at all to look at. You run through the warehouse/shipping district and then through a small neighborhood. Nothing to see really. Expect a good crowd of runners.
Post race food was gross (shrimp and grits were so disgusting). I took one bite and spit it out. They do have at least a half dozen food trucks though that you can buy from. Registration gets you a couple can Palmetto Brewing Co. beers and Ketel One had a free tasting station set up (one taste per person). Post race seating is limited, so grab a spot and make some new friends! There is a huge lawn on which you can sit to enjoy the live band, and they are a good party band for sure.
One thing worth noting, they only announce the overall winners for each distance and it’s sorta done at random times. Check in at the info table, but I really think they were just winging it in terms of what times awards would be announced. Strangely, I didn’t even see an awards podium anywhere.
This race is put on by Capstone races…no free photos of you running here. You’ll have to pay some high prices for the pro photos that they take of you, but they do post a Youtube vid of the finish line so you can see yourself cross it.
Bids are customizable as long as you register early enough. Be aware…this race can be on a very, very humid day so train and prepare accordingly.
This is the flagship race for Charleston, an amazing vacation destination with tons of microbreweries, history, and incredible eateries. This is a race I will do every single year for sure. Race is held in January every year and sign up the week after the race for the next year and you get a serious, serious discount…a truly great value if you sign up way early.
Great Race and After Party
This is a very flat race other than the overpass you go over later in the race. The food and drinks after the race plus live band makes for a … MORE
This is a very flat race other than the overpass you go over later in the race. The food and drinks after the race plus live band makes for a great after race experience. Race swag is awesome, this year we got a nice medal, long sleeve shirt, and blanket. This is a must do race and you can see some very beautiful parts of Charleston.
In love with Charleston
There is so much to like about this race! Nice swag, flat course, sufficient aid stations, went off without a hitch. The first 8-9 miles are fabulous as you run … MORE
There is so much to like about this race! Nice swag, flat course, sufficient aid stations, went off without a hitch. The first 8-9 miles are fabulous as you run through the Citadel, battery, and gorgeous historic Charleston. The last few miles are in an industrial area and not scenic at all. However, the race ends at a beautiful park and the after party was nice with free food, drinks, and if you want more there are plenty of food trucks. I unfortunately had tendinitis issues flare up and by mile 10 or so just wanted to be done!
Spend a few days being a tourist in Charleston. You won’t be disappointed!
One downside, which wasn’t an issue for me, but you told ave to be at mile 10.3 within 2:45. I was told that these runners were picked up and drive in a bus to 10.3 and allowed to finish and get their medal. I don’t like this for 2 reasons. 1 – they didn’t finish the half and got a half medal. 2 – if their results are counted, they have their finishing times faster than the people how ran the whole thing!
Nice and flat but boring course.
There were no corrals at the start line and the beginning of the course was narrow which meant that the first two miles or more it was extremely crowded and … MORE
There were no corrals at the start line and the beginning of the course was narrow which meant that the first two miles or more it was extremely crowded and I couldn’t run my own pace without constantly dodging people. The first half of the course was pretty scenic and it was fun to run down the battery and king street. However, the entire last half was along railroad tracks through an industrial and what appeared to be unsafe part of town. It was a flat course but definitely not my favorite. The finish line festival was great though. You got multiple drink tickets and shrimp and grits. I think it was unseasonably warm this year but the humidity was terrible! Overall, it was an okay race but I probably won’t be travelling to do it again.
Awesome coastal race
This was one of the more organized races I've experienced. Everything went off on time without any issues. The course support was great, scenery for most of the race was … MORE
This was one of the more organized races I’ve experienced. Everything went off on time without any issues. The course support was great, scenery for most of the race was terrific and the swag was awesome. If I lived closer, I would definitely run it again.
Beautiful
This race had a lot of beautiful scenery and was so much fun to run through. Although there were some boring parts to run through but overall the race was … MORE
This race had a lot of beautiful scenery and was so much fun to run through. Although there were some boring parts to run through but overall the race was a lot of fun.
Nice race - Beautiful Town
This is my 2nd time to complete the Charleston Marathon. I've paced 5:00 each time. Charleston is beautiful, historic town. The race is well organized and the course is for … MORE
This is my 2nd time to complete the Charleston Marathon. I’ve paced 5:00 each time. Charleston is beautiful, historic town. The race is well organized and the course is for the most part, very nice.
COURSE: The beginning and end are beautiful. The race starts at Buke HS and circles the Citadel, through downtown and the battery. There was some road closures this year so several sections of the course were modified from the 2019 course. There’s about 6-10 miles in the middle that go through North Charleston and the neck of the peninsula that is largely industrial and blah. But beyond that, the course winds through newly established neighborhoods and newly revitalized areas of the Park Circle area. I’m really glad they took out the section run on the marina pier. (Not sure if that is a temporary or permanent change) The race finishes at Riverfront park in the old Navy base footprint. The large houses around the finish are former officers, generals homes and Administrative offices.
POST-RACE: Each runner gets a plate of Shrimp& Grits. This year there were several food trucks lined up as well (I found Vegan options!) There’s also a beer garden on one of the lawns with band playing.
Overall, I enjoy this event, but I believe I enjoy visiting Charleston just a bit more. The race is worth it, but make the trip a vacation and explore the area as well. You’re missing out if you just come for the race.
Neat town!!
Charleston has a lot of history, so if you are into the tourist aspect, this is a great race. The race itself runs through some unique and scenic areas, as … MORE
Charleston has a lot of history, so if you are into the tourist aspect, this is a great race. The race itself runs through some unique and scenic areas, as well as some industrial parks and a marina that was less than scenic. Overall the race was good, the finish line festival was great with a fun atmosphere.
Fun easy race in a great city
The race route was well designed and hits many Charleston landmarks. Many hotels to walk from for pick up and race start. My favorite shirt this year also. Only issue … MORE
The race route was well designed and hits many Charleston landmarks. Many hotels to walk from for pick up and race start. My favorite shirt this year also. Only issue i had was getting the bus at the end, there were no signs as to where you were supposed to go, (about a half mile away) and none (5) of the volunteers i talked to knew either.
Disappointing Course
Organization and communication by the race director and staff was great! Volunteers were great! After-party was a little over-hyped. Walk from the finish line to after party to shuttles was … MORE
Organization and communication by the race director and staff was great! Volunteers were great! After-party was a little over-hyped. Walk from the finish line to after party to shuttles was a little longer than most races. Lines at afterparty were ridiculous… though I finished as one of the faster marathoners, I finished at the same time as all the really slow half-marathoners who were bound and determined to get as much of their free food and beer as humanly possible… I ended up skipping the afterparty once I realized that standing in line would take me as long as running another 5k.. which it felt like it was back to the shuttle bus area! Course was disappointing. We did have a couple miles through the “nice” part of Charleston, but the rest was access roads by a highway, over train tracks (a train even stopped a group of about 30 runners in front of me!), through a housing project, an icky industrial part of town and then through a really boring neighborhood with no spectators or anything around to confirm that you were on course… I ran an entire mile without seeing any other people! I was even worried I’d fallen off course… I DID PR, so maybe the boredom factor worked? Again, the volunteers were FANTASTIC. And the Race itself was well-organized. It would be a GREAT race if the course were better!
Flat, Charleston half marathon
I have completed half marathons in 24 states and this is the flattest half thus far, only one overpass to go over. Just before mile 2 you will go through … MORE
I have completed half marathons in 24 states and this is the flattest half thus far, only one overpass to go over. Just before mile 2 you will go through the Citadel military college campus, then miles 3-5 run along the water. Miles 6-11 run down king street, 5.5 @7 through shopping area, otherwise not a lot to see. The run finishes near Riverfront park, nice after party with shrimp and grits, 2 beers per runner and live music.
The extras… good expo, great race shirt, nice medal and fabulous communication.
Paced the 3:00 group...
Nice flat course. First part was very pretty and scenic, then went through some neighborhoods that have seen better days before ending in a nice park. A point to point … MORE
Nice flat course. First part was very pretty and scenic, then went through some neighborhoods that have seen better days before ending in a nice park. A point to point race. Great, chilly weather. Great race support and nice bling.
I paced the 3:00 halfers. Had a great time.
Start & Finish are great!
I ran this race as the 5:00 pacer for my 68th marathon. I also lived in Charleston 2007-2008, so I am very familiar with the area. I stayed in a … MORE
I ran this race as the 5:00 pacer for my 68th marathon. I also lived in Charleston 2007-2008, so I am very familiar with the area.
I stayed in a great little hostel (called Notso Hostel) near the start, a short 5 minute walk.
The expo: the expo was at the Gailluard Center, a big convention hall. You have to pay to park, so I ran there instead. (I hate paying for parking anywhere.) The expo was large enough to get what you needed, but not too large to where you get lost and overwhelmed. Easy in and out. There was no race day pickup and I know a few people where upset by that. They could’ve easily held Packet pickup at the start (the high school was open for runners to use bathrooms and gather It would’ve been easy to set up a table inside).
The marathon started (at 7:15) next to Burke High School and immediately ran through the Citadel, which was cool. You could see the Cadets in their uniforms in formation getting ready for breakfast and colors.
The half marathon started at 7:30, which I immediately realized was a mistake on the race’s part. The fast half marathoners had to weave through all the marathoners. I could tell a few of them were upset by this (they ran passed us yelling “get out of the way!” and “ON YOUR LEFT!” and other things I’d rather not type.) The race was small enough that both distances could’ve began together with a simple corral system.
-If I were a fast half marathoner at this race trying for a win or PR or something, this review would be rather negative.
COURSE: the first 7-8 miles of the course was great! You run through the Citadel, Lockwood street to the battery, then up King street. From Miles 7 to about 20, it was through the not so great sections of North Charleston (which you can’t avoid unless you get on I-26), and the industrial area. There was also a lot of construction overhead (new overpasses being built at Cosgrove and Spruill road areas) Around mile 14, we ran passed the federal complex then out to Cooper River Marina. We literally ran onto the marina pier, out to the end and back. That was weird, but kinda cool I guess. Anyways, the last 6 miles were through Park Circle and the nicer areas of North Charleston, then into the old Navy Base. The finish was right near the old Generals houses (if you watched Army Wives back in the day, this is where the show was filmed and based.) A nice shady finish in the big oak trees with moss at Riverfront park. Food (Shrimp & Grits), beer, music and a nice view at the end.
CONS:
-Runners had to pay for the shuttle back to the start area parking. For a point-point race, this should be included in the price. Not cool.
-The half really needs to start with the full. Starting after was a bad idea for those Half runners trying to race it.
BOTTOM LINE: I would definitely run this one again, mainly because I love Charleston. The race is worth it, but can improve over time. Choose it for the trip and make a vacation out of it. Charleston in January is still just as pretty as Charleston in the Spring.
My first BQ !!!
I loved everything about this race. Historic Charleston has so much beauty and charm. The first few miles of the course took us through the campus of the Citadel at … MORE
I loved everything about this race. Historic Charleston has so much beauty and charm. The first few miles of the course took us through the campus of the Citadel at sunrise when the mist was rising and the cadets were out lining up for formation, then we headed south along the waterfront and southern style mansions before heading up through historic King Street. Once we left town, we ran along the marshes that define the coastal Carolinas. At one point we even ran out onto the water on a pier and back. The race was super well organized, with great swag, tons of volunteers and a nice finale. What other race serves shrimp and grits at the finish line? More than anything I love the gorgeous medal which will forever commemorate my first BQ time.
Cold, windy, but hey, it's Charleston!
My second time running this race as a local. The cold front which came through during the race made it quite windy and cold, but the race itself was just … MORE
My second time running this race as a local. The cold front which came through during the race made it quite windy and cold, but the race itself was just as good as last year despite the change in management. The first 6 miles are in downtown Charleston and are beautiful. The next 5 are through the industrial neck area of the peninsula, and the last two go through the old Navy base, through the N. Charleston Riverfront park, and into downtown North Charleston. The race medal was great, and they gave out a nice big beach towel this year as well as a good long-sleeve tech shirt. The after party with shrimp and grits, coffee, bagels/fruit, etc. was also excellent. At the race start, they also had Burke High School open so you could stay warm before the race. The only negative this year was having to pay for parking (being a local, I figured out other places to park that were free). The pre-race expo the night before at the Gaillard Center seemed to be pretty nice and well organized although I only ran in and out to get my packet. Glad I ran it again!
Not so warm Charleston
I completely understand we cannot control the weather however the layout of the course is dependent on decent weather. This weekend was cold and extremely windy. The wind is what … MORE
I completely understand we cannot control the weather however the layout of the course is dependent on decent weather. This weekend was cold and extremely windy. The wind is what made the race more difficult than it should have been. This is a flat and non-technical course, it should have been a piece of cake with only one overpass of a hill to go up. There were long stretches of the course that were head on into the wind to the point of feeling like you were not going anywhere. Seriously, I know that is out of the race production’s control but I do believe it is something people should be prepared for.
Race production was great. Communicated frequently yet not too much, had a nice medal, shirt and towel as swag. The towel is good quality, which I was impressed by. I heard many people talking about the women’s shirts from last year and how they made all of them unisex this year due to the trouble with the women’s fit. To me, that is a production team that listens to its runners and takes action.
Course was nice. The half did have a section of industrial construction that was a little less than desirable to look at while running but for the most part the course was very scenic. Water, gatorade and gu were exactly where they stated they would be.
For all you beer drinkers, you get TWO drink tickets and different options to choose from. The shrimp & grits were delicious and a nice treat after a cold, windy race!
Shuttle from the finish area to the start worked as expected and ran on schedule.
Overall, I highly recommend this race, just wished it lived up to the sunny and warm races of years past.
Do the Charleston!
If you like your marathons mixed with a little history, hospitality and Southern cuisine, then you need to do the Charleston. The race starts near The Citadel and wends its … MORE
If you like your marathons mixed with a little history, hospitality and Southern cuisine, then you need to do the Charleston. The race starts near The Citadel and wends its scenic way past views of the channel, marina, mansions, mortars and Battery Park, then straight up King Street past historic row houses, quaint shops, seafood restaurants, bars and grills. The first six miles are very scenic and pass quickly, but the next eight are through an industrial area to get you to North Charleston. The loop through Riverside Park at Mile 24 is beautiful with the live oaks draped in Spanish moss and its views of the bay. Starting at Mile 18, the course actually passes near the Finish Area several times in the final eight miles and you can clearly hear the festivities. (That’s just mean.) But, the shrimp and grits and beer that await you at the Finish Line make it all worthwhile. Nice shirt and beach towel, great medal, fond memories. Be sure to catch the Sunday brunch at Holy City Brewery; chicken & waffles and a beer flight! Y’all should go!
Hometown race
A half-marathon in my hometown. The first 4-5 miles are lovely, with great views and then up King Street where there is tons of support. However, the race to North … MORE
A half-marathon in my hometown. The first 4-5 miles are lovely, with great views and then up King Street where there is tons of support. However, the race to North Charleston becomes real boring. Especially when it was really sunny. Being a point-to-point race means that we had to wait for the shuttle at the end. I waited about 20 mins for it.
The Charleston Race That Wasn't....
I am from Charleston and ran the inaugural race in 2011, and have supported others along the course in other years. Each year there is some form of issue. Running … MORE
I am from Charleston and ran the inaugural race in 2011, and have supported others along the course in other years. Each year there is some form of issue. Running out of medals and shirts to the course not being plotted properly and running extra. However, these year seemed to go pretty well.
Just to mention, I was supposed to have run the Mississippi Blues Half Marathon the week prior and after traveling all the way to MS, the race was cancelled because of a winter storm. Well the RD of the Charleston Marathon contacted me and gave me a great discount to run the half marathon since I was cancelled. I was planning to get the half mileage in for training, so I signed up and ran the race. So that was a nice offering from them.
As for the course, only about the first 5 miles in in downtown Charleston, then you transition into North Charleston which is not as scenic. There was lots of fan support in downtown, but once we got out of downtown, it was very limited until we got to the finish area. The roads are pretty rough throughout the course, but living in Charleston I am use to it.
If you need a race in SC for a 50 states or something, it is a nice option, but I would steer you to the Kiawah Islands Half/Full instead.