38th Annual Sunshine Festival 5K Race & Fun Run

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38th Annual Sunshine Festival 5K Race

On St. Simons Island, the 4th of July begins bright and early with the 38th Annual Sunshine Festival Race. Generations have participated in this family fun holiday event. The 5k race winds through the beautiful live oak and Spanish moss-lined streets in the Village at 7:00 a.m., beginning and ending in Kings Park, 601 Mallery St (across from Mallery Park). This is a USTAF Certified 5k route and chip timing is provided by Second Wind Timing. The 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk will start in the same location immediately following the 5K at 8:00 a.m. 

There will be a Runners Expo with Packet Pickup held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 3rd at St. Simons Presbyterian Church, 205 Kings Way. Free swag from local businesses will be provided to runners at the Expo. It is strongly recommended that you pick up your packet on Sunday, the day before the race. Race Day Packet Pickup will begin at 6:00 a.m. on the 4th at Mallery Park Pavilion. Registration for the 5K will end promptly at 6:45 a.m. and 1 Mile Race registration will end at 7:45 a.m. While walk-up registration at the Expo or on Race Day is permitted, participants registered by June 10th are the only runners guaranteed a high-quality short-sleeve T-shirt (youth and adult sizes) or Tank Top (adult sizes), so it’s recommended that you register online by that date at runsignup.com.

Golden Isles Track Club uses the proceeds of this event to support running-related causes in our community, including Girls on the Run; local high school track and cross-country teams; water fountains in Golden Isles parks; and projects that develop and maintain walking, running, and cycling paths in Glynn County.

5k Awards include Overall, Masters (40-49), Grand Masters (50-59), Senior Grand Masters (60+), and top three male and female finishers in each age group. 1st place age group 5k winners will receive an unframed print from local artist Addison Palmer, 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive a patriotic-themed medal. Overall Male and Overall Female winners will each receive $100. Masters winners will each receive $25 each. Masters, Grand Masters and Senior Grand Masters winners will each receive $25 each. PLUS, Overall and all Master award winners will receive a framed print from local artist Addison Palmer. 1 Mile Awards will be given to the top three male and top three female finishers under 14 years of age, plus all 1-mile participants will receive a participant medal. Additional there is an Award for the Best Costume (Sponsored by Starbucks. Must be present to win.), an Award for the Largest Team (Sponsored by Winn-Dixie), and an Award for the best-decorated home along the route (Sponsored by Winn-Dixie). 

There will be refreshments at the race supplied by local businesses. First Tee golf program for kids will be on site with an inflatable shark and having fun with golf swings that teach kids how to hit the board to get the Birdie Balls airborne. Sons of the American Revolution will be there in period costumes for photo ops. Watermelon Queen Ms. Adahy Pritchett handing out free slices of refreshing watermelon. Volunteers are always needed, so get in touch if you’d like to participate! Additional race information can be found at goldenislestrack.club.