The Governor's Cup Road Race
About this race
Established in 1973, The Governor's Cup is one of the most prestigious and longest-running road races in the Southeast. Hosted in the historic city of Columbia, SC, the weekend includes The Main Street Mile, The Kids' Main Street Mile, Governor's Cup 5K and (the main event) The Governor's Cup Half Marathon. The city boasts mild April temperatures, rolling hills and tree-covered streets that all lead to fast race times. The races are organized "by runners, for runners" and participants get the elite treatment as they smash their race goals. Great food, drink, entertainment, culture and southern hospitality are all served in generous portions at The Governor's Cup.
Join fellow runners on April 10, 2026 for the The Governor's Cup Road Race. It's a fantastic 1.6K, Half-Marathon, 5K featuring a flat and fast course in Columbia.
Pick your distance
Running
Main Street Mile
Lace up your track shoes and run your best mile through the Heart of the Capital City! Elite runners and the region’s fastest will compete on the down-and-back course that starts at Laurel with a turnaround at Lady. Stick around for the art, live entertainment, cultural events, shopping and some of the greatest foodie hotspots in Columbia.
Kids' Main Street Mile
Possibly the most joyful and energetic event of the weekend! Main Street will be filled with kids experiencing the joy of running/walking the iconic course through the heart of the city. All Midlands children age 14 and under are eligible to participate.
Half-Marathon + 1 Mile Combo Race
This is a discounted price offered to those who chose to complete the Half-Marathon and the 1-Mile race. You will only receive one race shirt at packet pick-up.
5K + 1 Mile Combo Race
This is a discounted price offered to those who chose to complete the Half-Marathon and the 1-Mile race. You will only receive one race shirt at packet pick-up.
Half Marathon
Start at the State House and run the historic and scenic districts of Columbia. The course is a mixture of vibrant urban, charming historic and peaceful tree-lined neighborhoods. The course features rolling hills and is great for first-timers as well as seasoned runners looking for fast finish times.
5K
The 3.1 mile race will wind through the tree covered, downtown streets of Columbia. Runners will be treated to sights of the Township Theatre, Finlay Park and the Governor’s Mansion. The course is relatively flat with a fast finish to Columbia’s Vista.
Weather Overview
These values reflect historical conditions on the race dates in Columbia in 2026, from Open-Meteo archive data.
About Columbia
The Governor's Cup Road Race takes place in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. The local timezone is America/New_York.
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Race information has been sourced from the event's official website and other publicly available resources. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the official website directly. If you notice any incorrect or missing information, don't hesitate to reach out to us by email.