The Edisto Island Triathlon Pro-Am

SWIM (Half): 1.2 Miles (Ocean/Channel)
BIKE (Half): 56 Miles
RUN (Half): 13.1 Miles

The Edisto Island Triathlon Pro-Am is a half iron distance triathlon and is moving into its sixth year in 2026 after five wildly successful events!  This triathlon is held entirely on Edisto Island and Edisto Beach, South Carolina.  This soon to be world famous race features a "with the tide" channel swim and two loop bike that is flat and fast.  The run course is a two loop out and back course along the island's "interior" roads and is one of the flattest run courses you will find.  

The swim starts at Live Oak Boat Ramp and will be a with the current, point to point, channel swim which will be wetsuit legal. The course will be fast and will finish at The Marina adjacent to Bay Creek Park.  A very short run off the boat ramp will bring athletes in the transition area.  We will stage the swim based on the tide so swimmers will be swimming WITH the current.  THIS SWIM IS FAST!! Probably the fastest half iron distance swim in the country.

The bike course will start at the Bay Creek Park and travel north within the bike lanes while on the main road.  Cyclists will make three turns off the main road to hit quiet and mostly hidden roadways many visitors to Edisto have never seen.  The course is best described as flat with little to no elevation gain of note and definitely no hills of any sort.  For those of you who raced in 2021 the major change is the elimination of all but one turn around to make for an even faster and more enjoyable ride.  This will be the same bike route utilized now with the only difference being we now start the bike at Bay Creek Park.

The run is an out and back 2-loop affair held within the interior roadways of Edisto Beach and partly on the Wyndham Resort Property.  Within the resort runners will find Edisto's only "hill" and traverse this massive 15 foot climb.  Runners will pass by Whaley's Bar & Grill 4 times (we highly suggest this hang out spot for spectators during the event) and will find fully stocked aid stations spaced every 1 mile to 1.5 miles.  

Post Event festivities will take place at Bay Creek Park on the Western edge of the island.

Aquabike (swim - bike)
SWIM: 1.2 Miles (Ocean/Channel)
BIKE: 56 Miles

Part of the 2026 South Carolina Triathlon Series

As the Edisto Island Triathlon is now tide dependent, we are able to set the date for future events now.  The future dates of the event will be:

• 2025 - November 1
• 2026 - October 24
• 2027 - October 23

A huge thanks to our friends at the North Carolina Triathlon Series for capturing photos from the event.  You can view the gallery below:

2025 EDISTO ISLAND TRIATHLON PHOTO GALLERY

PACKET PICK-UP:

Friday, October 23, 2026 (12:00PM-6:00PM)
Edisto Bay Creek Park (Race Site)
3706 Docksite Road
Edisto Island, SC 29438

NOTE:  New USAT rules allow for another person to collect your event materials.  This person will be required to show a copy of your drivers license and a signed note from you that states this named person is allowed to collect your materials for the Edisto Island Triathlon.

Saturday, October 24, 2026
There is no race day packet pick up.  You must collect your materials on Friday; however, you may place your transition area items / bike on Friday between 12PM and 6:30PM or on Race Morning.  Transition Area opens at 6AM on race morning.

You will collect your timing chip and strap at the swim start on race morning.  

2025 Athlete Guide (The 2026 Athlete Guide will be posted here closer to the event)

2026 Participant List  - To Be Posted Race Week

Another constantly updated Participant List can also be found HERE

Mandatory Medical Form for all Athletes

Course Descriptions:

SWIM: 1.2 mile Channel Swim
The swim course will be wetsuit legal with water temperatures expected to be in the upper 60s to low 70s.  The swim will be a time trial start with athletes entering  the water at Live Oak Boat Ramp every few seconds.  Athletes will be bused to the swim start location from the transition area / finish line location at Bay Creek Park The swim will be with the tide meaning we will start between high tide and low tide as the water pushes you toward the swim finish.  Swim shuttles will take athletes to the swim start starting at 7AM.  These shuttles will run until 7:30AM.  There will be a gear drop at the swim start but this is limited to a small bag with clothing only.  Athletes may also be dropped off at the swim start location. 

BIKE: 56 miles Flat, Fast, 2 Loops
The bike course is a two loop affair and is flat and fast.  Leaving the Bay Creek Park athletes will begin with a half loop around the island before they head north on Hwy 174.  A bike lane is available as athletes travel on Hwy 174.  There will be a few shoots off Hwy 174 where athletes will get the bulk of the 28 mile per lap distance.  The 2022 course eliminated all but 1 turn around and will make for an even faster and more enjoyable ride and this will be the same bike course used in 2025.  Lap 1 will end with a loop around the upper portion of Edisto Beach before heading out onto Hwy 174 to repeat the same course as Lap 1.  The Bike finish is at Bay Creek Park.

There will be one water bottle exchange located at the half way point (in front of the state park as you begin lap 2).  Water in sports cap bottles will be offered.

RUN: 13.1 miles Flat, Fast, 2 Out and Back, 2 Loops
The run course is also a two loop affair with an out and back layout.  Runners will make their way from T2 onto Myrtle Street which stretches along the interior of the island between the ocean and the bay.  The course is FLAT and FAST.  For those familiar with Edisto, the route will take runners by Whaley's Bar & Grill 4 times and will also feature a segment inside the Wyndham Property, home to Edisto's Golf Course.  The finish line will be at Bay Creek Park alongside transition and all post race festivities will take place here with picturesque views of the Bay. 

There are 3 aid stations along the route approximately every mile to 1.5 miles.  You will hit these stations at total of 10 times during the run.  These stations will serve water, Wildly  Charged electrolyte drink, Gu and coke.  Click HERE to see the locations of the water stations.

TRANSITION:
There is only one transition area at Bay Creek Park which is also the site of the finish line.

Course Maps are posted below.

Swim Course: Swim Course

Swim Start: Site Map

Swim Exit:  Detailed Map

Bike Course:  Bike Course (MapMyRun)   

Bike Course:  Ride With GPS

Bike Course:  Turn by Turn Directions

Run Course:  Run Course (MapMyRun)

To defer your registration to the following year, navigate to Profile > Upcoming Events > Manage Registration > Defer Registration. 

To claim a deferral from the previous year, navigate to your profile and use the Deferrals tab to start your claim process to register for the current year.

To adjust parts of your registration such as category,  navigate to Profile > Upcoming Events > Manage Registration > Questions on left hand side. 

To transfer to another event such as aquabike or relay team, navigate to Profile > Upcoming Events > Manage Registration > Transfer Event.

Additional help can be found on our FAQ page. 

10/30/2024: Registration for the 2025 event opens November 1st. 

USAT Sanctioned: This event is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event.

Cut-Off Time: All participants must complete the half iron distance race in under 8 hours, 00 minutes from the start of their swim.  All participants must complete the swim 1 hour 20 minutes after the start of the final swim wave.  All participants must complete the bike portion no later than 5 hours after the start of the final swim wave.  All participants must complete the first loop of the run no later than 6 hours 15 minutes after the start of the final swim wave.

Event officials reserve the right to pull a participant off the course if it appears as though that participant will not be able to complete the race in under 8 hours, 00 minutes or if it appears the participant is in medical danger.

Minimum Age: The minimum age allowed for participating in this Half Iron distance event is 16 years old.  Exceptions may be made with parental approval prior to registration.

Timing System: This event will be timed using the My Laps Timing System.  5 splits will be provided (Swim, T1, Bike, T2, Run)

Shirt deadline is 3 weeks prior to event. 

Bike Check In:  Bikes and gear MAY be checked into Transition between 12PM (Noon) and 6:30PM on Friday.  You may also check in your bike and gear on race morning starting at 6AM.  Security will be on hand through the night.  THERE IS NO RACE DAY PACKET PICK UP.

In the event of inclement weather the following procedures will be followed:

The event will be postponed in hopes the inclement weather will pass. If the inclement weather does not pass in time to complete the event safely in the original or modified format, the event will be canceled. If the weather passes and the event cannot be held within the permitted time limits, the event will be changed to a duathlon format and possibly modified in length to meet these restrictions.

Every effort will be made to hold this event on time on this date. Should this event be canceled due to an Act of God or other circumstance beyond the race directors control there will be no refunds, credits, or transfers.

NO EXCEPTIONS will be made to this policy.

By registering for this event you agree to this weather policy.

Edisto is unique in many ways, and lodging is no exception.  There are NO hotels on Edisto Island.  We will be posting contacts for several local rental agencies who rent houses as well as condos on the island, and just minutes from the transition area.  These agencies will offer weekly and extended weekend rental options. 

Edisto Realty:  Click HERE to be taken to their website

Vacasa:  Click HERE to be taken to their website

Carolina One Vacation Rentals:  Click HERE to be taken to their website

Edisto Beach Vacation Condos:  Click HERE to be taken to their website

Wyndham Ocean Ridge: Click HERE to be taken to their website (NOTE: This is the option that is most like a hotel)

AirBnB: There are many AirBnB options which you can find directly on the AirBnB App or Website. 

All athletes will be required to turn in this completed form at packet pick up.
To view and print:

With the change to a single transition event, parking will be easier. 

SITE OVERVIEW / PARKING MAP

The Edisto Island Triathlon Pro-Am is proud to host some of the most elite professional triathletes in the country.  If you are a professional triathlete, please contact us on how you can get a greatly reduced entry fee.  Our Pro Liaison is Aaron Kolk (aaronkolk87@gmail.com).  

The $5,000 Prize Purse at the 2025 event breaks down as follows:

1. 1st Place Male & Female - $1,250
2. 2nd Place Male & Female - $750
3. 3rd Place Male & Female - $500

NOTE:  You must be registered under the pro category and be a USAT professional triathlete to compete for the prize purse.

Awards will be given to the Top 3 in each of the following divisions (For each distance):

• PRO (M & F) - This category is for USA Triathlon Pro Athletes (Age Group or Non-Pro Elite athletes cannot register for this category)
• Open/Advanced (M & F) - This category is reserved for those who feel they might win the event or place in the Top 5 overall
• Masters Open/Advanced (M & F)
• Age Groups (M & F): 15 & Under, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85 & Over
• Clydesdale
• Master Clydesdale
• Athena
• ParaTriathlete (M & F)
• Novice (M & F)
• Aquabike (M & F)
• Co-Ed Relay (Top 3)

SCTS rules state that once you compete in a particular race category in a SCTS race - you must remain in that same category for all future SCTS races in that calendar year. The exceptions to this rule are the Aquabike, Novice and Weight categories. You may begin the year as a Novice and then switch into another qualifying category (ie: Age Group, Clydesdale). For Weight categories (Clydesdale 220+, Master Clydesdale 220+ and Athena 165+) it allows for you to drop to Age Group if you go below the weight limit for the category. If you switch to Aquabike you can switch back to your previous category at any time without penalty.

Below is a brief description of each race category:

Open/Advanced - Category for Elite participants. These are typically the fastest people in the race and they compete on an Elite/Professional level.

Age Group - Participants competing in their age group.

Clydesdale - Category for participants who are over 220 lbs.

Master Clydesdale - Category for participants who are over 220 lbs. and are 40 or over.

Athena - Category for women over 165 lbs.

Aquabike - Category for participants doing the Swim and the Bike only. Your race ends when you cross the Bike Finish mat.

Novice - Category for beginner participants. Participants competing as a Novice have usually done less than 3 events. No age restrictions.

NOTE: You may fit into one or more of the above categories, so whichever category you choose to compete in is completely your choice. Choose the category that you feel you would have the most fun competing in.

• Relays can comprise of a 2-person (one person does 2 legs, and one person does 1 leg) or 3-person teams (each person does 1 leg of the event). Teams can consist of any mix of genders.
• EACH Relay member MUST pick up his/her own packet.
• EACH Member MUST have their photo ID and USAT card (if applicable) to pick up their packet.
• If a member is a minor (17 or under), then a parent/guardian must show an ID to get their packet.
• If a member turns 18 by the end of the year then they are considered an Adult per USAT, thus they must pick up their own packet.
• If you need to replace a relay member, you can manage this from within your registration and profile at RunSignup. Often the team captain will have to be the one to make any changes.
• Additional help can be found on our FAQ page. 

USAT Rules:  Click HERE to learn the USA Triathlon Competitive Rules

USAT INFORMATION:

USAT states all participants must show a photo ID at packet pick up. You will not be given your race packet without photo ID.
All participants must pick up their own race packet. This applies to individuals and relay team members. 

USA Triathlon requires that all USAT annual members must show their USAT membership card during registration. With
that said you were most likely verified to be an member or not a member DURING registration. Thus, you will not be
required to show your USAT Membership card. We suggest always bringing it with you just in case. 

USAT's "Age Up" Policy:

An athlete's age for any USAT sanctioned race will be his/her age as of Dec. 31 of the current race year. The age he/she is on 12/31 will determine his/her racing age group. If an athlete is due to "age-up" into the next group, it will happen at the beginning of the year, not after the athlete's birthday. This action aligns regular U.S. age group racing with the method used by USA Triathlon for its National Rankings Program and its new Grand Prix Series.

Examples:

• John Smith is 39 and will turn 40 on November 20th. John will be considered 40 for all races in the same year (January-December) and will race in the 40-44 age group at all SCTS races that year.
• Sally Jones is 29 and will turn 30 on July 3rd. Sally will be considered 30 for all races in the same year (January-December) and will race in the 30-34 age group at all SCTS races that year.