Hilton Head Half Marathon
A flat early-November race at Sea Pines: a half, a quarter marathon and a 5K, starting and finishing at Harbour Town.
- Next dates: Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
- Race day, 8 a.m.: half, quarter marathon and 5K start at Harbour Town, Sea Pines
- Tickets: Registration on RunSignup: $125 for the half marathon, $85 for the quarter marathon, $50 for the 5K and $80 for the virtual option
- Hosted by: The Hilton Head Running Company, presented by The Sea Pines Resort
- Distances: 13.1 miles, 6.55 miles and 3.1 miles
- Raising money for: The Sea Pines Forest Preserve Foundation and Turtle Trackers of Hilton Head
The Hilton Head Half, Quarter Marathon & 5K is the island's big autumn road race, run through Sea Pines by The Hilton Head Running Company. Most people just call it the Hilton Head half marathon. It starts at Harbour Town on the first Sunday of November, and finishes there with food, drinks and live music.
Searching for the Hilton Head marathon usually means a different race, the February Hilton Head Island Marathon, which is not running in 2026. That race is covered below.
The distances and race-day plan
All three races start together at Harbour Town at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. The course uses paved roads, paved leisure paths and the hard, smooth natural paths of the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, which keeps it fast and flat. Water and energy gels are handed out on the course.
Half marathon
8 a.m. start, $125
The full half distance through the roads, paths and forest preserve trails of Sea Pines.
Quarter marathon
8 a.m. start, $85
Half of the half marathon's distance, on the same course.
5K
8 a.m. start, $50
The short race, with the same start time and finish line as the longer ones. It is one of the 5K races on the island each year.
Virtual option
$80
Run the half, quarter or 5K on your own route if you cannot make the trip.
Packet pickup and what you get
Race packets can be collected over the weekend. Pickup is on Friday, Oct. 30 from 3 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31 from 1 to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 1 from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. The registration page lists the pickup spot.
Shirt and medal
A custom race shirt and a finisher medal come with registration.
Age groups and teams
The race gives age-group and team awards.
Harbour Town celebration
Food, drinks and live music at the finish line.
Forest preserve and sea turtles
Proceeds support The Sea Pines Forest Preserve Foundation and Turtle Trackers of Hilton Head. The Sea Pines Community Fund matches donations made to the two groups.
Making a weekend of it
The start is inside Sea Pines, so staying in the community means a short ride or walk to the line. The Sea Pines guide covers where to stay and eat, and the community's other events are listed too. Early November is also oyster season: the Hilton Head Oyster Festival is the following weekend.
The Hilton Head Island Marathon in February is a different race
The Hilton Head Island Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K is a separate February race, produced by Ventures Endurance Events. It is not the Sea Pines race above, and it has no connection to the Bridge Run.
Its own website says the 2026 race is cancelled: local authorities decided not to approve a marathon or a half marathon on Beaufort County roads, citing safety concerns, and registered runners are being refunded in full. Race calendars still list a February 2027 date, but the organizer has not confirmed one on its site, so check its website before booking travel.
If you want a full marathon on this stretch of the coast, The Palmetto Running Company's Daufuskie Island Marathon and Half is run in January on Daufuskie Island. For a half marathon this year, the Sea Pines race is the one to enter.
More Hilton Head races
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Hilton Head half marathon?
The next race is Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. The half marathon, quarter marathon and 5K all start at 8 a.m. at Harbour Town in Sea Pines.
How much does it cost to run?
Registration on RunSignup lists $125 for the half marathon, $85 for the quarter marathon, $50 for the 5K and $80 for the virtual option.
Where does the race start and finish?
Harbour Town in Sea Pines, 149 Lighthouse Road. The course runs on paved roads, leisure paths and trails in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve.
Is the Hilton Head marathon in February still running?
Not in 2026. The Hilton Head Island Marathon's website says the 2026 race is cancelled because local authorities would not approve a marathon or half marathon on Beaufort County roads. It is a separate race from the Sea Pines half marathon.
Is the Hilton Head half marathon the same as the Bridge Run?
No. The Bridge Run is a 5K and 10K over the Cross Island Parkway bridge in December. See the 5K races page for it.
Where do I pick up my race packet?
Pickup is Friday, Oct. 30 from 3 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31 from 1 to 5 p.m. or Sunday, Nov. 1 from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. The registration page lists the location.
Local guides like this come standard for Guests of Partner Properties — one small part of what a Partner Property gives every guest.
Book Partner Properties