The Barrier Island Earth Day 5K
Saturday, April 18, 8:30 - 11:30 AM
What better way to celebrate Earth Day, experience the coastal beauty of the Lowcountry, and help educate future generations on the environment, than by joining us for this year's Barrier Island Earth Day 5K?
Join us on Saturday, April 18, 2026 for the Barrier Island Earth Day 5K at the St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center on Seabrook Island. Whether you are looking for a fitness challenge, an interactive way to support a good cause, or a pleasant Saturday morning stroll – we’ve got something for everyone! Here’s what you can look forward to:
The Route:
Overflowing with coastal scenery and breathtaking views, our updated 5K course will guide you through several unique ecosystems found on a Lowcountry barrier island. Witness the beauty of our maritime forest draped in Spanish moss, the expansive fields of salt marsh grass, the sandy slopes of our dunes and beach, and maybe even a pod of dolphins playing in estuary waters - all tucked into five kilometers.
Built for both the adventurous trail runner and casual walker, it’s the perfect way to get your steps in and soak up the beauty of our coastal home!
Note: the course primarily runs along trails with a variety of terrain, including exposed roots, unevenness, sand, mud, and gravel. Some sections are also single-file and/or less than 6 feet wide. The 5K is rain or shine! Please be aware of these conditions, and if you have any questions about the course, please contact Tyler Harris at tharris@stchristopher.org.
The Festivities:
During and immediately following the race, the fun continues with something for all ages:
Food trucks
Local vendors
Environmental education booths
Games and crafts for kids (and kids at heart)
Live animals and tours of our Herpetarium and Aquarium
... and so much more!
Celebrate Earth Day and learn more about what makes barrier islands and the South Carolina coast so special!
Registration:
Register on our race website: https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/SeabrookIsland/BarrierIslandEarthDay5K
Registration cost is $40. Costs increase to $45 on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
In order to guarantee a Race T-Shirt, you must register by Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Children ages 5 and under do not need to register or pay for participating in the 5K. If they would like a bib still, we will have extras on race day!
Create or join a group AKA dolphin pod. Participate as a unit with friends, family, or coworkers!
Other than participating in the 5K, all other festivities are free and open to the public, so invite your friends and family to celebrate Earth Day!
Donations are encouraged as all proceeds for this event contribute to our Barrier Island Scholarship and Outreach Fund (see our mission below)!
Mission:
All proceeds from this event will directly benefit our Barrier Island Scholarship and Outreach Fund, which helps bring our hands-on environmental education to local underserved students, especially those from lower-income backgrounds. Your participation will help us inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and foster a love for our planet on Earth Day and beyond!
To support our mission - generating scholarships for schools and students to visit the Barrier Island Environmental Education Program and provide outreach to local Title I classrooms - you can sign up for the 5K or donate using our donations tab.
If you or your business wish to sponsor the race, or if you wish to volunteer on the day of the event, please contact the Associate Director of Barrier Island, Tyler Harris at tharris@stchristopher.org for more information.