One of the Lowcountry’s favorite races, the Isle of Palms Connector Run is a terrific annual event that takes place the first Saturday of October.
And this year, we’re proud to announce that Exclusive Properties is the official race sponsor. In fact, the starting line is right outside our office!
The IOP Connector
The Isle of Palms Connector is our main link to the mainland, aka Mount Pleasant. It’s the graceful sloping approach to the island, giving you that first gorgeous glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean on the way to your luxury Isle of Palms vacation rental.
Back in the day, the only way to get to the Isle of Palms was via Sullivan’s Island, crossing over Breach Inlet and the Ben Sawyer Bridge. But in 1989 when Hurricane Hugo struck the area, it knocked the Ben Sawyer out of commission for quite a while.
Folks realized it was high time for the Isle of Palms to have a direct route of its own. Thus the IOP Connector was built, officially opening in 1992.
A race is born… and grows up
That very same year, the City of Isle of Palms and the Exchange Clubs of both the Isle of Palms and Mount Pleasant decided to create an event that bridged the two towns.
Thus the IOP Connector Run was born. And it’s been going on now for three and a half decades.
In 2016, the IOP Exchange Club took over primary responsibility for the event. The official name explains what it is: "The Isle of Palms Run and Walk for the Child.... a 5K & 10K Charity Race to Raise Money for the Healing and Prevention of Child Abuse in Charleston, SC."
All fitness levels of runners and walkers are welcome, and you can even bring strollers. Here’s how organizers describe it:
“This Run/Walk is the most scenic on the East Coast, providing panoramic early morning views of the Intracoastal Waterway as you walk and run from the Isle of Palms over the marsh towards Mount Pleasant.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the sunrise, and a wide variety of coastal birds and passing boats with thousands of other walkers and runners as well as a fabulous After Party with fun & games, kids’ activities, snacks, beer garden, and Live Music. All of this while helping the Exchange Club of Isle of Palms raise money for the prevention of child abuse!”
It’s for a great cause.
The idea behind it was to create an event that was both fun for people of all ages/skill levels, AND a way to help support some of the most vulnerable in our community.
Making the event a fundraiser added an extra level of meaning to this particular race, and is one of the many reasons it’s become so beloved.
Here are some of the charities the IOP Connector Run supported just this past year alone. They’re all doing such yeoman work for kids and families right here in the Lowcountry:
- Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center;
- Winwood Farm & Family Services;
- HALOS;
- IOP Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Committee;
- Landmarks for Families;
- Young Moms Together (formerly Florence Crittenton Programs of SC);
- My Sister’s House;
- Darkness to Light;
- Doors to Freedom.
It’s raised a lot of $$$
The idea to make it a charity event was a brilliant one.
In the 34 years the IOP Connector Run has been held, it’s generated a whole lot of funds for worthy causes. In fact, the total is over $1,386,000. Last year alone, it raised more than $200,000, a new record.
EP steps up.
Exclusive Properties is a family-owned company. We love to share the joy of staying together in a house at the beach, creating life-long memories. We also have a heart for children. Thus, it’s a natural for us to get behind this event.
This year, Exclusive Properties is thrilled to be the lead sponsor for the 35th annual IOP Connector Run. In fact, the starting line of the race is right in front of our office, at 1116 Palm Boulevard.
Here are the deets:
- The Run/walk begins at 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning, October 3rd.
- The start line is on Palm Boulevard, right in front of Exclusive Properties’ office!
- 5K runners or walkers go halfway over the Connector, then loop back.
- 10K-ers run or walk all the way over the Connector into Mount Pleasant, near the entrance to the Seaside Farms shopping center, then loop back onto the Connector to the Isle of Palms.
- The finish line is in front of the IOP Fire House on J.C. Long Boulevard, just down the street from our office.
- Parking is available in the Municipal Lot on Pavilion Drive, IOP County Park, along Ocean Boulevard on Front Beach, or street parking between 3rd and 9th Avenues. It’s free till noon in the Municipal Lot and on Ocean Boulevard.
- Register online here. It’s $65 per person from now through October 2nd, or $70 on Race Day, if it’s not sold out.
- Packet pickup is on Thursday, October 1: 2:00–7:00 p.m. and Friday, October 2: 10:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. at the IOP Exchange Club, 201 Palm Boulevard. On Race Day, you can pick them up in front of the IOP Fire House at 30 J.C. Long Blvd. from 6:00–7:30 a.m.
NOTE: on the morning of the run, the IOP Connector will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 7:00 a.m. The Connector will reopen when the last runners, walkers and course markings are cleared, usually about 10:30 a.m. During the event, you’ll have to access/leave the IOP the old fashioned way, via Breach Inlet and Sullivan’s Island. Police will be stationed at the main IOP intersection letting traffic cross between gaps in racers.
Get the whole scoop on the official IOP Connector Run website. They also have a helpful Facebook page.
Book a home base for the race…
October’s a great time to be on the Isle of Palms. Be sure to get on the books to reserve one of our Isle of Palms vacation rentals as a race home base.
Just reach out to us at EP for availability in our IOP beach homes or more info on the Connector Run. Join us here at EP in supporting this great cause, while having fun in the process! It’s a perfect event for the whole family to enjoy together.
All best,
Lowcountry Lisa
your Isle of Palms vacation blogger
IOP Connector Run photo & map credit: IOPrun.com