46th Annual

kiawah island Run Events

Race Date: December 14, 2024

1 Mile Glow Run, 5K Beach Run, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon.

Numerous resort activities including golf, bicycles, yoga, Christmas story time with Santa, and more!

  • Two (2) night package
    • Check-in Friday, December 13
    • Check-out Sunday, December 15
  • Villas on luxurious Kiawah Island Resort with access to all resort amenities
  • Options include private one-bedroom villa or a private bedroom with ensuite bathroom in a 2-3 bedroom shared villa

kiawah island
marathon events
2024

Share this trip

  • Two (2) nights in a spacious Kiawah Island Resort villa*
  • Private bedroom/bathroom in a multi-bedroom shared villa
  • Shared full kitchen and living areas
  • Welcome reception and express check-in at DM house
  • Swag bags for all guests
  • Express check-in and bib pickup
  • Pre-race pasta dinner at Turtle Point Clubhouse
  • Breakfast on race morning
  • Private, no-wait gear check at DM tent
  • Private DM tent next to start/finish line with VIP gear check (no-wait + no lines)
  • Post-race refreshments and complimentary massages at private DM tent
  • Spectators can hang out at the DM house race morning to enjoy coffee and snacks
  • Post-race pizza party with awards ceremony at the DM house
  • Detailed spectator plan
  • Complimentary race photos – if we can capture your smiling faces
  • Discount for bike rentals
  • Special Packages for Golf reservations on five (5) on-resort courses
  • Resort fee (included in package price) and access to all resort amenities
  • Massage therapist available for discounted private sessions at DM house (by appointment only, additional fee)
  • Destination Marathons’ hosts on-site all weekend

 

* Private shuttle on race morning for guests staying on East Beach. (Villas on West Beach are a short walk to the start.)

*Option to add Thursday night at checkout.

Destination Marathons celebrates our 5th year at the Kiawah Island Marathon Weekend!

Stay in a private room with ensuite bathroom within a shared 2-3 bedroom villa right in the heart of the action on West Beach, or upgrade to a private 1 bedroom villa. All shared villa room packages include a private bedroom with a private bath along with a shared full kitchen and indoor/outdoor living areas. Guests have access to all the resort’s many amenities.

*Traveling with friends? We can pair you together in a villa upon request.

What’s included in the Stay & Play VIP Package?

*Option to upgrade to a private one bedroom, one bathroom private villa. (Limited availability.)

Not included

Itinerary

Friday, December 13, 2024

9:30am KIR Shakeout Run, The Nest Market and Cafe, Night Heron Park

  • Blue Sky Endurance is hosting a 3.4 mile run
  • Get to know the course,  and ease any pre-race jitters
  • After, enjoy coffee at the Nest Market and Café
  • Complimentary, no reservations required, all are welcome

 

9:30am – 8:00pm Race Expo and Holiday Market, West Beach Conference Center

  • Packet pick-up starts at 10:00am for those not staying with DM

 

12:30pm – 1:00pm Story Time with Santa, West Beach Conference Center

  • Enjoy Story Time with Santa at 12:30, 2:00pm, and 3:30 pm. After each reading Santa will be available for photos

 

3:30pm – 5:30pm Welcome reception with express check in, DM house

  • Enjoy light refreshments
  • Packet Pick-up at DM house exclusively for DM guests
  • Pick up your villa key, parking pass, and DM swag bag

 

4:00pm – 7:00pm KIR Pacer Meet & Greet, West Beach Conference Center

  • 15 pace groups are available to help you meet your goals. 9 pacers for the marathon (3:25 to 5 hours) and 6 pacers for the half marathon (1:45 to 3 hours)
  • Visit a representative from Beast Pacing and get paired with the right group for you

 

4:30pm Kiawah Island Glow Run pre-race party, Sanctuary Beach Access

  • 4:30 pm the pre-race party starts with a color party and DJ
  • 5:45 pm the run begins on an out-and-back course making your way through black light bubbles, color light displays, and snow!
  • Participants must register for this event separate from the half/full marathon. Participants will receive a bib, shirt, and medal
  • The 1 Mile Fun Run is not timed
  • The 5k is an officially timed event. Course closes at 6:45 pm

 

5:30pm – 8:00pm Catered pre-race dinner, exclusive for DM guests

  • Enjoy our sign-making station
  • Runners grab their race morning breakfast bags
  • Most allergies can be accommodated
  • The restaurant will not box dinners to-go

 

5:45pm – 6:45pm, 7:00pm – 8:00pm Pre-race Yoga, Sanctuary Hotel Ballroom

  • Everyone is welcome regardless of yoga experience. Mats are provided.
  • $20 per person, 2 evening sessions available
  • Registration through Kiawah Recreation, 843-768-6001

 

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Saturday is race day! May the cool ocean breeze and Christmas festivities spur you on to a new PR.

6:00am – 2:00pm Race Expo continues, West Beach Conference Center

  • Packet pickup available until 7:45am for those not staying with DM

 

7:00am – 7:20am Kiawah Island race day stretch, Beach at Boardwalk 5

  • Rise and shine, and exhale any pre-race jitters away. Take in the calming sounds of the waves, the sun rising at 7:13am, and prepare your body with some stretching and breathing.
  • All stretching will be done from a standing position. No mats or towels are needed.
  • Boardwalk 5 is steps from the starting line
  • In the event of inclement weather, meet at West Beach Conference Center, Carolina 5 & 6
  • Complimentary, no reservations required

 

7:00am – 9:00am Light breakfast & coffee available at DM house for spectators (DM house on ½ mile mark of the course)

6:30am – 8:00am Private gear check for DM VIP guests, DM VIP tent, finish area

8:00am Marathon and Half Marathon Race Start, West Beach Conference Center

9:30am – 1:30pm Post-race celebration, DM VIP tent, finish area

  • Complimentary stretching/massages
  • Snacks, drinks, camaraderie, and more

 

5:30pm – 8:30pm Post-race pizza celebration and awards ceremony, DM house

 

 

Sunday, December 15 2024

Time to take one last look at the ocean and head back home with your medal in hand.

Safe travels home!

9:30am – 10:30am KIR Recovery Alignment Yoga, West Beach Conference Center, Carolina 5 & 6
  • Recovery Alignment Yoga session, designed to aid in your post-race body healing. Mindful movements will greatly contribute to getting youon your next starting line.
  • Everyone is welcome, regardless of yoga experience. Mats are provided.
  • $20 per person, reservations through Kiawah Recreation, 843-768-6001

 

10:30am Resort check out
  • Return your keys to DM house and depart
  • Please note, the resort charges $100 fee for any missing key. Failure to return your key to the DM house could result in incurring this expense.

Accommodations

Villas at The Kiawah Island Resort

Stay in a private room within a shared 2 or 3 bedroom villa right in the heart of the action on West Beach or upgrade to a private 1 bedroom villa on West Beach. All shared villa room packages include a private bedroom with a private bath along with a shared full kitchen and indoor/outdoor living areas. Guests have access to all the resort’s many amenities.

*Traveling with friends? We can pair you together in a villa upon request.

Full kitchen
Private bedroom + bathroom
Resort fee (included)
Walk to beach
Access to washer + dryer
Shared living areas

Stay & Play Pricing

Choose to pay in full or place a non-refundable deposit to reserve your trip. All pricing excludes taxes and fees.

*Private Bedroom/Bathroom in Multi-Room Shared Villa*

  • $835 total (plus 9% resort fee + taxes)
  • This package includes two (2) nights staying in a private single bedroom with private ensuite bathroom in a shared multi-room villa. These villas have 2 or 3 bedrooms.
  • Guests will share a kitchen and all common living areas inside and outside.
  • Add a 2nd guest to this package (sharing the same room/bed) for an additional fee.
  • Upon request, we can pair friends who are traveling together in the same villa. Multiple room packages would need to be purchased.

Add Ons

  • Option to add an additional guest to your villa for $195 for the entire weekend.

Deposit

  • Pay a $250 non-refundable deposit per room package to reserve your trip, then pay your remaining balance later.

*Private Villa – 1 bed, 1 bath*

  • $1,035 total (plus 9% resort fee + taxes)
  • This package includes two (2) nights staying in a private villa with 1 bed and 1 bath, and sofa bed.
  • Guests will have their own a kitchen and all living areas inside and outside.
  • Add a 2nd guest to this package (sharing the same room/bed) for an additional fee.
  • Add a 3rd or 4th guest to this package (using the sofa bed) for an additional fee.

Add Ons

  • Option to add an additional guest to your villa for $195 for the entire weekend.

Deposit

  • Pay a $250 non-refundable deposit per room package to reserve your trip, then pay your remaining balance later.

Meet your Hosts

Mark Janik

Founder & CEO

Deb Dandro

Project Manager

Dan Semsel

Team Lead

David Scott

Runner Experience Analyst

Prior guest reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many guests can I bring?

With our base package, you will get a private bedroom with ensuite bathroom in a shared villa. You can add one additional guest (runner or non-runner) to your package, and they will share your room with you. For private one-bedroom villas, you can add up to 3 additional guests (total of 4 people) sharing a bedroom and a sofa bed.

What perks do non-running guests receive with DM?

All our guests receive the same great perks as our runners do. Those include a welcome reception at our DM house, pre-race pasta dinner, our post-race party, detailed cheer plan on race day along with a race morning hangout with snacks and coffee at our DM house, swag bag, and more!

Do we have a tent at the start or finish?

Yes! Our private DM tent is right where the action is at the start line and is filled with snacks and drinks, private porta-potty, and private gear check.

Is there a special breakfast for race morning?

Yes! We know it’s early and you have to eat, so we provide a grab-and-breakfast for runners on race morning. Spectators can chill at the DM house and enjoy coffee and snacks.

Do I have to pay Kiawah Island’s resort fee?

The 9% resort fee that allows access to all of the resort’s many amenities is included at checkout.

What else is there to do around the island?

How much time do you have? You can rent bikes, visit the Night Heron Park Nature Center, purchase a round of golf on their championship courses where some of the biggest names in golf have played, go for a swim in the pool, hit the beach, pamper yourself at The Spa at the Sanctuary, explore local Charleston, and more! You can contact Kiawah Recreation at 843-768-6001 to reserve bikes, schedule a nature tour at the Heron Park Nature Center, and get information on other activities around the island.

Will I be able to stay in a villa with my friends?

Yes! If you know other people traveling with us, just let us know and we can place you all in a villa together. For any other special requests, please feel free to reach out to us – we want to make your vacation fit your needs!

Do I have to pay for parking?

No! Parking is free. Once on the island, you can use the resort’s complimentary shuttle to take you around the resort.

What are check-in and check-out times?

We make check-in super easy. Just come to our DM house for your villa key and parking pass. Keys are guaranteed for 4:30pm Friday. Check-out is at 10:30am Sunday. Please note that the resort charges a $100 fee for any missing key. Failure to return your key to the DM house could result in incurring this expense.

Can I bring my kids?

Of course! Kids 10 and under are free on any of our packages, provided they stay in your room. Kids 11 and older are registered as an additional guest. Of course, our private one-bedroom villas are a great option for families.

What if I have food allergies?

No problem! Just make sure to notify us of any dietary restrictions you have so we can do our best to accommodate you.

Hassle Free Friday

Escape the pre-race madness! Come directly to our DM house to get your villa key, bib, parking pass, and swag bag. Enjoy some refreshments.

Ideal Location

West Beach Villas are near all the action of the start and finish line, expo, and DM house. Shared villas have a private bedroom/bath with shared living space (kitchen/living/patio). Or opt to upgrade to a private villa.

Pre-Race Dinner

We’ve got you covered without the need to leave the resort or make reservations.  Enjoy Italian cuisine and some friendly camaraderie right at the resort.

VIP Treatment

Perks include a private DM tent at start/finish, post-race massage, express bib pick-up, on-site hosts, detailed spectator plan, and more!