601 Mallery Street, Saint Simons Island GA
Saturday, July 4th, 2026
42nd Annual July 4th Sunshine Festival 5k Race and 1-mile
Race Details
- Date: July 4, 2026
- Location: 601 Mallery Street, Saint Simons Island, GA
- Website: Race Website
- Finishers: Finisher medals for all 5k and 1-mile finishers!
Hotel Discount
- Sea Palms Resort: Enjoy a restful night before the race.
- Discount: Use this link for 10% off: Sea Palms Resort (travelclick.com)
- Rest: Quiet and peaceful with a view!
Important Notes
- Self-Seeding: Starting Line is self-seeded by average expected pace per mile.
- Strollers: Allowed but be respectful of Adaptive Athletes.
- Dogs: Not allowed due to safety and insurance issues.
- Registration: Walk-up registration on July 3rd available. No race day registrations.
Race Day Activities
- Packet Pickup: 6 am to 6:45 am for 5k, 6 am to 7:45 am for 1 Mile on Race Day.
- Race Start: 5k at 7 am, 1 Mile at 8 am.
- Awards Ceremony: At approximately 8:30 am.
- Location: St Simons Park / Kings Park, 515 Park Ave, St Simons Island.
Starting Line Information
- Pace Sections: 10 different sections based on average pace.
- Push Rim Division: Starts 2 minutes ahead of everyone else.
- Chip Timing: Event starts when you cross the starting line.
Facilities
- Bathrooms: Multiple options available nearby including multi-stall bathrooms and porta-potties.
- Photos: Free digital images provided by Sports in Motion Photography.
- Food and Snacks: Various local vendors providing snacks and beverages.
Race Routes
- 5K Route: USTAF Certified route. For a video preview, visit the MapMyRun.
- 1 Mile Route: Follows the 5K course with a designated turnaround.
- Chip Timed: The 1-mile fun run will be chip timed.
- 1 Mile Map: View the route here.
Awards
- 5K Awards: Overall, Masters, Grand Masters, Senior Masters, and top 3 in age groups.
- 1 Mile Awards: Medals for top finishers in respective age categories.
- Special Awards: For Best Costume, Best Team, and Best-decorated homes along the route.
- Timing: By Second Wind Timing.
Parking
- Challenge: Parking may be difficult: consider alternative transportation.
- Locations: Park along Mallery Street, around the ballpark, and in the village.
- Avoid: Do not park in private residences.
July 4th Activities
- Craft Show: Visit the Sunshine Festival Craft Show from July 3-5.
- Golf Cart Parade: On July 4 at 11:00 am.
- Live Music: Throughout July 4 in the village area.
- Fireworks: At 9:00 pm on July 4, best viewed from Neptune Park.
Course Map
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