Sunshine Festival July 4th 5k & 1 mile

42nd Annual July 4th Sunshine Festival 5k Race and 1-mile on St Simons Island!

This year’s event is especially meaningful as it coincides with the 250th anniversary of our nation and marks the 40th anniversary of the Golden Isles Track Club. Join us in celebrating both our nation’s history and four decades of local running tradition at one of Georgia’s most scenic and spirited 5K events.

The Road Runners Club of America has selected the Golden Isles Track Club’s Sunshine Festival 5K as an official State Championship Event—an honor that recognizes the race’s quality, competition, and community impact. This prestigious designation elevates the event’s profile, attracting top runners from across the region while offering participants the opportunity to compete in a championship-caliber race on the scenic streets of St. Simons Island. Don’t miss your chance to be part of one of Georgia’s premier 5K experiences.

The 2026 Sunshine Festival 5k has been selected as the official RRCA State 5k Championship!

The RRCA Championship Event Series is the largest grassroots-organized running series in the U.S. with over 200 races participating that attract nearly 300,000 participants. RRCA Championship Events are designated annually at the State, Regional, and National level through a competitive bidding process.

The goal of the RRCA Championship Event Series is to celebrate and shine a spotlight on well-run, community-focused events and to award their top performing runners.