Did you know? Charleston’s iconic, early-April Cooper River Bridge Run is the third largest 10k in the country. (P.S. — There's also a wheelchair race at the Bridge Run, and we cheered on from the sidelines this year.)

Whether you were one of the 38,000+ runners participating (and now have the running bug) or were watching from the sidelines (and want to get out there next year), we’re keeping the pace going by sharing seven other races happening around CHS this year to start training for (plus tips on how to get started).

7 races happening across Charleston in 2023:

Race the Landing 5k | May 11 and May 25 | 7 p.m. | Charles Towne Landing, 1500 Old Towne Rd. | $40 | 5k race for adults + children 12 and under.
20th Annual Moms’ Run | May 13 | 7-11 a.m. | Philip Simmons High School, 3080 River Village Dr., Charleston | $35 | Postpartum Support Charleston’s 5k race in support of families suffering from maternal mental illness.
Charleston RiverDogs: Run Charlie Run 5k | June 4 | 3 p.m. | Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park | $50 | Race registration includes an e-ticket to the RiverDogs vs. Augusta Greenjackets game.
IOP Beach Run | July 29 | 8 a.m. | The Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd., Isle of Palms| $30 | 5k/10k run and 5k walk + youth fun runs along the beach at Isle of Palms.
Lowcountry Trail Half Marathon | October 7 | 8 a.m. | Johns Island County Park | $38+ | 5k run/walk and half marathon under the moss-draped oaks at Johns Island County Park.
Veterans Day 5k | November 12 | 9 a.m. | The Citadel Alumni Center | $30 ($10 for veterans + active military) | 5k run/walk with proceeds supporting local Veterans.
45th Annual Kiawah Island Marathon and Half Marathon | December 9 | 8 a.m | $15-$120 | West Beach Conference Center, Kiawah Island | Start training now to run 13.1 or 26.2 miles around Kiawah Island’s West Beach Village.

3 training tips:

Ready to lace up and start training? We spoke to Dr. Joshua Lamb MD, foot, knee, and ankle surgeon with Roper St. Francis Healthcare, to get expert advice on how to best train for a race before you hit the ground running.

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or starting a new couch-to-5k program, it’s best to go into a run with the right plan in place to make the most of it (and to prevent injury).

Q: How do you get started running if you have no experience?

A:Set realistic expectations. Start out with a combo of walking + running at an easy pace to help build up muscle strength, tolerance, and to condition the body. Pro tip: Find a running group to help motivate you to train!

Q: Is there a “right” type of running shoe?

A:There is no right or wrong running shoe. It’s most important to find one that is comfortable + supports your foot. Pro tip: worn-out shoes can increase the chances of injury, so plan to get a new pair of shoes every 300-500 miles. (This is when most shoes lose shock absorption!)

Q: What are a few ways to prevent injury?

A:Stretch! Before your run, get the blood flowing with dynamic stretches that involve movement, like lunges + squats. After your run, work on flexibility with static stretches that are held in place, like pulling your ankle to your glutes for a quad stretch.

May the stride be with you, CHS.

Poll:

What type of race are you training for this year?

5k (3.1 miles)
10k (6.2 miles)
Half-marathon (13.1 miles)
Marathon (26.2 miles)

Let us know.