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Charleston Half Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Charleston, SC, USA
- Race Date: 01/30/2027
- Race Distances: Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Charleston Half Marathon Description
The Charleston Half Marathon starts south of Broad in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina’s historic district and finishes at Riverfront Park, tracing cobblestone streets, moss-draped oak trees, and centuries-old antebellum homes along the way. With only about 16 feet of elevation gain over the whole course, it’s one of the flattest half marathons in the country, ideal for a personal best. Held every January, the point-to-point route also passes waterfront views along the Cooper River before the finish. Frequent aid stations and enthusiastic crowd support round out a well-organized race in one of the South’s most scenic cities.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Charleston Half Marathon Additional Details:
Given the late-January date, finishers get a cold-weather-friendly swag bag: a tech shirt and a beanie join the medal, practical extras for a course that starts chilly even by Charleston standards. Hot chocolate joins the usual post-race snacks at the finish, a welcome touch on a 45-degree morning, and finishers 21 and up can claim two beers once they’re through the chute. Race organizers stagger the start thoughtfully, since several stretches of the historic district narrow to one lane, keeping the field moving smoothly rather than bunching up among the antebellum homes. Crowd support along the route is a genuine highlight, with locals turning out early to cheer runners past their front porches.
Course Information
Profile: Very Flat
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 3.5 hours
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 3,000+
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 16 ft
Elevation Loss: 16 ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 45°F
- High: 59°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Half Marathon Training Plan
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced plans to get you strong and confident at 13.1.
Things to Do in Charleston, SC, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Outdoors & Trails
James Island County Park
Explore the flat trails, boardwalks, and off-leash areas of James Island County Park’s 943 acres — an easy, low-impact way to spend a rest day near downtown.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Waterfront Park
Stroll Waterfront Park’s fountains and long pier, including the iconic pineapple fountain, along Charleston’s harbor — a flat, scenic, easy option for tired legs after race day.
Museums & History
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Tour the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier and 28 vintage aircraft at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum — an easy, mostly-outdoor stop for recovering legs after race weekend.
Landmark
Middleton Place
Tour Middleton Place, home to America’s oldest landscaped gardens and an unrestored 1738 plantation house — an easy, flat, historic outdoor stroll for tired legs after race day.
Food & Drink
Charleston Culinary Tours
Walk, talk, and taste your way through Charleston’s renowned culinary history on a guided food tour — a relaxed, low-impact way to refuel after race day.
Shopping
King Street
Browse King Street, named one of the nation’s top 10 shopping streets, from antique dealers on Lower King to design shops on Upper King — an easy stroll.
Arts & Culture
Gibbes Museum of Art
See more than 10,000 American works spanning three centuries at the Gibbes Museum of Art, downtown Charleston’s premier gallery — a relaxed, indoor rest-day visit.
Sports & Entertainment
Schooner Pride Sunset Sail
Set sail on the tall ship Schooner Pride for one of the top 10 sunset sails in the country — a relaxed, seated way to unwind after race day.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Magnolia Plantation’s Audubon Swamp Garden
Wander boardwalks through the Audubon Swamp Garden and Wildlife Center at Magnolia Plantation, spotting herons, alligators, and turtles — a flat, low-impact nature walk after race weekend.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Charleston Half Marathon
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