Sunshine Festival July 4th 5k & 1 mile

🏃‍♂️ Welcome to the Annual July 4th Sunshine Festival 5k Race and 1-mile!

Join us on July 4th, 2025, at 601 Mallery Street, Saint Simons Island, GA for the 41st Annual event!

🥇 Finisher Medals!

• Achievement: Finisher medals for all 5k and 1-mile finishers!
• Website: This is our OFFICIAL Race Website!
• Social Media: Local calendars may not always be up to date.

🏨 Hotel Discount

• Sea Palms Resort: Enjoy a quiet and peaceful rest with a view!
• Discount: Use this link for 10% off your stay! Sea Palms Resort (travelclick.com)

⚠️ Important Notes

• Self-Seeding: Starting Line is self-seeded by expected pace per mile.
• Strollers: Allowed, but be respectful of Adaptive Athletes.
• Dogs: Not allowed, due to insurance liability and safety issues.
• Pre-Race Registration: Available on July 3rd, no race day registrations.

📅 Pre-Race Day Packet Pickup

• Date & Time: Thursday, July 3rd, 4-7 pm.
• Location: St. Simons United Methodist Church, Thorpe Building, 624 Ocean Blvd, St Simons Island, GA 31522.
• Packet Pickup: Friends or family can pick up your packet, but expect to stand in multiple lines.
• Packet Contents: After bib pickup, you will proceed to receive your shirt.

🏁 Race Day Details

• No Race Day Registrations: Only packet pickup available.
• Timing: Chip timed event: start time begins when you cross the starting line.
• Awards Ceremony: 8:30 am.

🚻 Facilities

• Restrooms: 2 multi-stall bathrooms across the street in Mallery Park.
• Additional Facilities: 8 bathrooms available at Village Pier Casino (0.25 miles).
• Portable Toilets: 8 Porta-potties will be near the starting line.

📸 Event Photography

• Photography: Sports in Motion Photography will be capturing the event!
• Free Photos: Look for an email post-event with a link or visit www.simphotos.com.

🍉 Vendors On-Site Race Day

• Sandy Bottom Bagels: Offering delicious bagels.
• Parkers: Handing out water.
• Georgia Watermelon Association: Free watermelon for participants!

🏃‍♀️ 5K and 1 Mile Route

• 5K Route: USTAF Certified, with a video preview available here.
• 1 Mile Route: Follows the 5K course with a turnaround on Magnolia Ave.

🏆 Awards

• Categories: Overall, Masters, Grand Masters, Senior Masters, and top 3 finishers in each age group.
• Unique Awards: Best Costume, Best Team Spirit, and more!
• Finisher Medals: All 5k and 1-mile participants will receive medals.

🚗 Parking

Parking can be challenging: please carpool, be dropped off, bike, or walk. Use public areas like Mallory Street, the village, library, or lighthouse for parking.

🎉 Post-Race Activities

• Craft Show: Shop original art and handmade booths at Crafts in the Village.
• Golf Cart Parade: 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM.
• Fireworks: Scheduled for 9:00 PM.

🌞 Proceeds for Health

The Golden Isles Track Club uses race proceeds to promote good health in the community.

🔗 Race Registration

Register Now!