BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. — Runners and walkers will soon gather at one of the Lowcountry’s most scenic destinations as Berkeley Electric Cooperative prepares to host its fifth annual Bright Ideas 5K at Cypress Gardens.
The race will feature a certified course that takes participants through varied terrain at the popular Berkeley County park, offering what organizers describe as both a challenging run and a scenic experience in one of the Lowcountry’s most picturesque locations.
Registration for the race costs $40, with online registration open until April 25, 2026, at 7:59 a.m. [CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE]
Packet pickup will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 24 at Fleet Feet’s Carnes Crossroads location. Participants can also pick up race packets on race day at Cypress Gardens until 7:45 a.m.
Because parking at Cypress Gardens is limited, race organizers encourage participants to carpool or arrive early. A shuttle will transport runners from a remote parking lot at Celanese, formerly known as DuPont.
Officials said the road leading into Cypress Gardens is part of the race route and will close at 7:45 a.m. for the safety of participants. The road will reopen once the final runner clears the course.
Proceeds from the run and walk benefit Berkeley Electric Cooperative’s Bright Ideas Education Grant Program, which supports innovative classroom projects that are not typically funded through traditional school budgets.
Public and private K–12 teachers within Berkeley Electric’s service territory can apply for grants of up to $1,500 each year. The application period for the 2026 grants opens Jan. 1, with grant recipients recognized during the 5K’s awards ceremony.
Berkeley Electric Cooperative is South Carolina’s largest not-for-profit electric provider and serves portions of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties.
