How do I register for the Kiawah Island Marathon?

Registration is open to all but limited in capacity. Entries are announced mid-week on the race's Facebook page and close once spots fill up. It is worth following the page so you catch the announcement early.

Is the Kiawah Island Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston registration. The flat, sea-level loop makes it a popular choice for runners targeting a qualifying time.

What is the elevation profile like?

The course is extremely flat. The highest point is under 20 feet above sea level and total elevation gain across the full 26.2 miles is only 129 feet. There are no significant climbs.

What is the typical weather on race day?

December on Kiawah Island is typically cool, with average highs around 61°F and lows near 47°F. Precipitation chances are low, making for generally good running conditions.

What does entry include?

Registration includes a race shirt, finisher medal, course support, food, beverages, and a complimentary shuttle for runners coming from off the island.

How large is the field?

Recent editions have finished around 1,500 runners, making it a smaller, lower-key event compared to most major marathons.

Fri, Dec 11 · 2026Kiawah Island, SCSince 1978

Kiawah Island Marathon

Kiawah Island delivers one of the flattest marathon courses on the East Coast, where cool December air and a near-sea-level loop set the stage for a serious PR attempt.

FlatOpen

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KIAWAH ISLAND · US

Kiawah Island

FRI, DEC 11

2026

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Race Overview

EST. 1978

Kiawah Island is a quiet barrier island off the South Carolina coast, and the marathon fits the setting: no big-city chaos, no crowds ten deep on every block, just a flat loop on a cool December morning with a small, focused field. The course barely leaves sea level the entire way. There are no hills to speak of, which means the race is almost entirely about your fitness and your pacing. That is genuinely freeing, but it also means there is nowhere to hide if you go out too hard. Be patient in the first half.

This is one of the more PR-friendly setups you'll find anywhere, and December on the island usually cooperates with cool temperatures and low humidity. Registration opens through a mid-week Facebook announcement and closes when capacity is reached, so you have to stay alert once entries go live. The field is small enough that it feels personal. If a flat course in mild weather with low fuss is what you are after, this one is worth planning around.

Field size

~1.5k

1,505 finishers

BQ rate

7%

Near national average

Time limit

6:30

Standard cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

The Course

129 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑129 ft

Total descent

↓129 ft

Net elevation

↑0 ft

Highest point

19 ft

Lowest point

7 ft

Course shape

Loop

Start and finish in one place

The course is a loop that sits almost entirely at sea level, with a highest point under 20 feet and total elevation gain of just 129 feet. That gain is spread across the full 26.2 miles, so there are no meaningful climbs to budget for. The profile is as close to pancake-flat as a road marathon gets. Pacing implications are straightforward: there is no terrain forcing you to bank effort or recover. Wind off the coast can be a factor depending on direction and exposure, so check the forecast and plan accordingly. The flat surface rewards consistent pacing and suits runners targeting a time goal.

DIFFICULTYFLATPR-FRIENDLYMODERATE

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

47°F

High

61°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

December on Kiawah Island is about as good as it gets for marathon weather. You're looking at a cool start, probably in the upper 40s, that warms into the low 60s by the time you're in the late miles. That's a wide enough swing to matter, so don't overdress for the gun. A throwaway layer in the corral is smart. The humidity can creep up since you're on the coast, but it's rarely punishing in December. Most years this window genuinely favors a fast day.

Entry

OPEN

A limited number of entries are available. Registration is typically announced mid-week on Facebook and closes when capacity is reached. Entry includes race shirt, finisher medal, course support, food, beverage, and complimentary shuttle for off-island runners.

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Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

CLT

187 mi

from the start

≈ 295 min transferLonger haul

What to expect

Most travelling runners fly into CLT, about 187 miles from the start, a longer haul by rideshare or transit, roughly a 295-minute trip. Stay close to the start in Kiawah Island, SC so you're not fighting race-morning closures and transit on tired legs. Arrive a day early to clear the expo and bib pickup, and build in buffer for gear-check and corral entry.