We laced up our sneakers to help local teachers!
Five years in, and the Bright Ideas 5K is not slowing down!
The fundraiser raised $55,000 for the Bright Ideas Education Grant program and sold out weeks before the event with more than 500 registrations. Clear skies and cool weather made for record attendance Saturday — 474 athletes passed through the big red arch at Cypress Gardens.
Luke Schraeder of Johns Island took home the coveted plush alligator prize as the overall male finisher with a time of 21 minutes, 53 seconds. Iris Bias of the Charleston AFB led the female field with a time of 23:11.
In the past decade of the Bright Ideas grant program, Berkeley Electric has donated more than $250,000 to classrooms in the tri-county.
- Here are the 2026 winners of our Bright Ideas Education Grants
- Check out the full race photo gallery
Sign up by March 30 to be guaranteed a race t-shirt! All participants will receive a finisher's medal.
Date: Saturday, April 25 (rain or shine)
Start Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: Cypress Gardens, 3030 Cypress Gardens Road • Moncks Corner, SC 29461
This is a certified race featuring a chip start with timed racing bibs. The race course features a mix of paved, gravel, and dirt trails with roots and boardwalks. Strollers are not recommended.
- Race course map
- Get a first-person view of the race course
- Packet pick-up will be available the day before the race and the morning of race day
- Racers can sign up until the morning of the race (will receive a finisher medal but no guaranteed race shirt)
- Water/first-aid stations will be available on the course. Pre-filled water bottles are allowed.
Cypress Gardens is a gorgeous blackwater swamp located in Berkeley County. It has been featured in national magazines, popular television shows, and motion pictures, including The Notebook and The Patriot. Attractions include picturesque views along 3.5 miles of trails, swamp boat tours, an aquarium/reptile center, and more!
Be sure to join us at the race village after the run to honor local teachers receiving a Bright Ideas Grant. Don't forget that your race fee includes admission to Cypress Gardens, so feel free to explore after the event.
- Main gates close to traffic at 7:45 a.m. and will not reopen until 9:00 a.m.
- Parking is free but limited - carpool if possible
- Free shuttles will be available to and from overflow parking at Celenase - 3300 Cypress Gardens Rd, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
- Pets are not allowed, but registered service animals are welcome.
Take advantage of early packet pick-up 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday, April 24 at Fleet Feet, Carnes Crossroads, 2509 N. Main Street, Summerville. You will receive your race bib and swag bag.
You can also pick up your packet the morning of the race up at Cypress Gardens until 7:45 a.m.
Join the fun in our race village before and after the race! There will be free snacks and water for runners and spectators as well as a free photo booth. Our DJ will keep the crowd pumped up to cheer on the runners and local teachers. Who knows? You might even bump into a few special guests as you visit our amazing race sponsors in the vendor village.
The awards ceremony for the Bright Ideas educational grants will start at 8:45 a.m. followed immediately by the 5k race awards.
Bright Ideas 5K - 2025 Race Recap
%20copy.png)
.jpg)
