Charleston Distance Run

America's only 15 mile race is a scenic but challenging course, starting at our majestic State Capitol, taking you through downtown, rolling through our beautiful hillside neighborhoods, and along Charleston's riverfront.

Since 2004, the Charleston Distance Run has offered a 3-person relay on our 15-mile course. 

The splits for the relay are 3, 5, and 7 miles, and the exchanges take place in the middle of the South Side Bridge. The 3- and 7-mile segments are virtually flat, and the 5-mile segment goes through the hills. Participants must arrange their own transportation to/from the exchange point.

Each team will be given a Velcro chip that each team member will hand off at the exchanges. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝗯𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀. 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗿𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗲. 𝗕𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝟱, 𝟭𝟬 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭𝟯.𝟭. 

Teams will have one time for the entire course as well as split times at the 5-mile, 10-mile, and 13.1-mile split mats. The third runner will be given three medals at the finish line to share with the entire team. The competition is divided into three divisions: Men, Women, and Co-ed. Non-monetary prizes are awarded to the first-place team in each division. 

A runner registered in the 15-mile race may also register for the relay and run the first leg wearing both bibs. Runners must register separately for both events.

6:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 29, 2025
Haddad Riverfront Park

Calling all runners-in-training! The City of Charleston Department of Parks and Recreation will host the annual Children’s Fun Run on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Registration starts at 3 p.m. at the overlook at Court Street.

This is a free events for children ages 4 to 12, with race lengths varying by age group. Ages 4 to 6 run about one-quarter mile; ages 7 to 9 and 10 to 12 run about a half mile. All races will be on Kanawha Boulevard between Court and Capitol Streets.

The Children's Fun Run is sponsored by the City of Charleston Department of Parks and Recreation. 

2026 Participant Guide coming soon!

4:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29
Haddad Riverfront Park.

Join us for our traditional pre-race Pasta Party in amphitheater! All registered participants will receive a dinner ticket in their race packets, and additional tickets will be available for purchase for $10. Kids 12 and under eat free. We'll provide pasta, salad, bread, and cookies in to-go containers. We'll have soft drinks and water, but you can also carry PODA cups into Haddad during the event (more on that below). 

We‘ll have a brief awards presentation at 6 p.m. to recognize outstanding efforts by our volunteers, so make sure to stick around!

Souvenir shirts, hats, and other items will be available for purchase in the amphitheater by credit card or contactless payment only. 

Enjoy Charleston’s City Center Sip-and-Stroll PODA

Charleston’s Downtown Public Outdoor Drinking Area (PODA) includes Kanawha Boulevard in front of Haddad Riverfront Park and the park itself. That means you can buy beer in approved PODA cups from one of downtown Charleston’s participating breweries or bars and carry your drinks all the way to the Boulevard! Make sure to be attentive to posted signage for PODA boundaries. 

For all the details, including participating businesses, visit https://charlestonwv.gov/poda.

CDR is going cashless for Friday night

No need to bring cash or checks to this year’s event. We will accept credit cards and contactless payments, including Apple Pay and Google pay, for registration fees, souvenir sales, and Pasta Party dinner tickets.

Parking available in City of Charleston garages

Parking is available downtown in city lots and garages as well as metered spaces. Make sure to follow posted signage regarding parking enforcement times.

The closest garage to the Boulevard is the Shanklin garage at Virginia Street and Laidley Street. Metered spaces are available on the first and rooftop levels, and spaces are free after 5 p.m. For information about all the city garages, visit https://charlestonwvpayments.com/parking-department.

Bring and donate your old running shoes

We’re working with Got Sneakers again this year! This program collects old running shoes and gives those in good condition to people in need. Others are recycled. Proceeds from recycled shoes support the Charleston Distance Run. So bring your old shoes with you to packet pickup!

One note: Please brush off dirt, grass, rocks, etc., and gently tie pairs at the laces (one loose knot is fine.) No shoes with wet grass or caked-on mud, please.

Cheering station NEW in 2025

Spectators, get ready to make some noise and show your support on race day! We’ll provide everything you need to cheer on your participants with a sign-making station and free cowbells.  

Finisher Medals

All finishers of the 15-mile race, the 15-mile relay, and the 5K run/walk will receive a finisher’s medal at the finish line.

Relay participants: The relay finisher will receive three medals at the finish, with the expectation that the finisher will give medals to the other two relay team members.

Unclaimed finisher medals will not be mailed after the race.

15-Mile Prizes

The Charleston Distance Run will award cash prizes totaling $6,050 in the 15-mile race for 2026 according to the following schedule:

$500 1st overall, male and female

$400 2nd overall, male and female

$300 3rd overall, male and female

$100 1st West Virginian, male and female

$100 1st Charlestonian, male and female

$75 1st Wheelchair/hand cycle, male and female

$50 2nd Wheelchair/hand cycle, male and female

$75 1st in age group* (non-monetary prize 18U)

$50 2nd in age group* (non-monetary prize 18U)

5K Prizes

The Charleston Distance Run will award cash prizes totaling $1,600 in the 5K for 2026 according to the following schedule:

$100 1st overall, male and female

$50 2nd overall, male and female

$30 1st wheelchair/hand cycle, male and female

$20 2nd wheelchair, hand cycle, male and female

$30 1st in age group* (non-monetary prize 18U)

$20 2nd in age group* (non-monetary prize 18U)

*Age Groups:

Adult, 15-miler and 5K (24)

1. 19-24 male and female
2. 25-29 male and female
3. 30-34 male and female
4. 35-39 male and female
5. 40-44 male and female
6. 45-49 male and female
7. 50-54 male and female
8. 55-59 male and female
9. 60-64 male and female
10. 65-69 male and female
11. 70-74 male and female
12. 75+ male and female

Youth, 15-miler (2)

1. 12-18, male and female

Youth, 5K (6)

1. 1-9, male and female
2. 10-14, male and female
3. 15-18, male and female

Non-monetary Prizes

The John Pianfetti Award recognizes our oldest finishers (male and female) in the 15-mile race with a plaque

Participants 18 and younger receive trophies or other non-monetary prizes to preserve their amateur runner status

Terms

• Duplication of awards will not be permitted for the winners of the Top 3 Overall (Male and Female), the First West Virginian (Male and Female) and the First Charlestonian (Male and Female); in other words, a runner will be entitled to only one cash award. Wheelchairs and handcycles are timed separately.
• All awards are based on chip time, not gun time.
• Runners must complete the prescribed 15M course, including crossing all timing mats, to receive a finishers’ time and to be eligible for cash awards. It is the runner’s responsibility to “know the course.” Runners who fail to complete the prescribed course will be disqualified.
• Any questions concerning the cash awards will be determined by the Charleston Distance Run Committee, in its sole discretion.
• All cash award checks will be mailed within three (3) weeks.
• Trophies/non-monetary awards will be available as race and category winners finish. Trophies/awards must be picked up on race day. CDR will not mail trophies/awards after the race.
• There is no official awards ceremony. Finishers should check their standing on the results page, listen for winner announcements or check in at the official's table to find out if they have won a cash award or trophy. 
• Any medals or trophies/awards not claimed on race day revert to the ownership of the CDR.

What are the 2026 Entry Fees and Deadlines?

15-Mile Race

• $45 — Received by February 28, 2026
• $60 — Received by June 30, 2026
• $80 — Received by August 15, 2026
• $90 — Received by September 3, 2026
• $95 — In-person Registration on September 4, 2026

 15-Mile 3-Person Relay (Per Person)

• $30 — Received by February 28, 2026
• $40 — Received by June 30, 2026
• $45 — Received by August 15, 2026
• $50 — Received by September 3, 2026
• $55 — In-person Registration on September 4, 2026

5K Run/Walk 

• $25 — Received by February 28, 2026
  $35 — Received by June 30, 2026
  $40 — Received by August 15, 2026
  $45 — Received by September 3, 2026
  $50 — In-person Registration on September 4, 2026

Military & First Responders

The Charleston Distance Run offers a 50% discount for the selected event to active duty military, veterans, and first responders. Does not include family members. Email military ID to treasurer@charlestondistancerun.com to receive the discount.

Can I register on race day?

No. Registration closes at 8 p.m. the night before the race.  Registered participants may pick up BIBS ONLY on race day from 6:45 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. at the corner of Kanawha Blvd. and California St. (near the start line).

How do I register?

1. Register online. Click "Sign Up" on this page.
2. Mail an application along with payment by check. Mailed entries must be received by 10:00 a.m., local time, August 22, 2026. Email treasurer@charlestondistancerun.com for an application.
3. Register in person at packet pickup on September 4, 2026.

I am Active Military, Veteran or First Responder, do I get a special rate?

Yes! The Charleston Distance Run Committee offers a 50% discount for the selected event to active duty, reservists, veterans and first responders. Email military ID to treasurer@charlestondistancerun.com to receive the special rate. 

How do I know if I am registered?

Click Find a Participant from the menu on this page. If you registered by mail, please allow us approximately five to seven days to post your name on the Participant List. We will not send out confirmation cards by mail.

When is the latest I can register?

• Online registrations must be completed by noon on September 4, 2026
• Mailed applications must be received by August 22, 2026
• Registrations can be made in person during packet pick-up on September 4, 2026
• There is no race-day registration

If I cannot participate, can I get a refund or deferral?

No. Entry fees are non-refundable, and entries cannot be transferred to another year. No exceptions. This means, once we have received your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate.

Can I transfer my registration to someone else?

Yes. You must get the transfer approval by August 22, 2026 (2 weeks before the race). You must e-mail your request for a transfer to treasurer@charlestondistancerun.com. You will receive instructions for completing the transfer.

Once I am registered, can I switch races?

Yes. Please send an email to treasurer@charlestondistancerun.com and let us know what changes to make to your registration. If you are switching from the 5K to the 15-mile, you must pay the difference in registration fees, but there is no refund for switching from the 15-mile to the 5K. Changes may also be made at packet pick-up on September 4, 2026.

What do I get for my entry fee?

A ticket to a pre-race pasta dinner that is held on Friday evening. (Friends and family are welcome to join the fun. Tickets will be available at packet pick-up.) Racers compete for cash prizes, bragging rights and the satisfaction of completing a uniquely challenging race! Participants will receive a special goody bag and a short sleeve CDR race t-shirt. Runners and walkers who finish the race will receive a finisher’s medal. We will have sports drinks, water and plenty of pizza at the Laidley Field finish line.

How do I get my race packet?

Race packets may be picked up:

• Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
• Time: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Location: TBD

If you cannot pick up your packet, someone else can pick it up for you; we may require identification.

If you (or your designee) cannot pick up your packet during Friday’s packet pick-up, you will forfeit your race packet including the race T-shirt and any race-provided swag. These items will revert to the ownership of the CDR. We are not able to mail race packets.

Registered participants may pick up BIBS ONLY on race day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. near the start line at the corner of Kanawha Blvd. and California St.

How do I pick up special items I’ve ordered?

All shirts, jackets and other swag you purchase in addition to your race registration will be available for pick up during packet pick-up on Friday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. All special order / add-on shirts, jackets and other swag that are not claimed during packet pick-up will revert to the ownership of the CDR and may be sold on race day or after. CDR will not mail these items or arrange other pick up after packet pick-up ends on Friday at 8 p.m. There will be no refunds.