The 2023 Isle of Palms Connector Run & Walk for the Child held on Oct. 7, an annual fundraiser benefiting child abuse prevention and awareness agencies, raised more than $100,000 for area organizations serving on the front lines in the fight against child abuse, according to preliminary numbers provided by the IOP race’s board. Roughly 950 participants registered for the charity race this year.
Proceeds from this 31st edition of the 10k and 5k race, which was organized by the Isle of Palms Exchange Club, in partnership with the City of Isle of Palms and the Town of Mount Pleasant, go directly to local nonprofits that help with the prevention of child abuse and healing those who have been affected by it.
Over the past three decades, the event has raised more than $1 million for child abuse prevention and awareness agencies throughout the Lowcountry. Beneficiaries in 2023 included HALOS, My Sister’s House, Lowcountry Orphan Relief, Florence Crittenton, Darkness to Light, Carolina Youth Development Center, CAPA-Beaufort, Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center, Windwood Farm and Doors to Freedom.
Dunes Properties served as the returning presenting sponsor of the collaborative community event, which is held annually on the first Saturday of October. The IOP Exchange Club hosted the Run Beneficiary Dinner on Oct. 26 at which they presented the 2023 beneficiaries with a check.
“This run is awesome, it truly takes a village,” said IOP race board chair Michelle Priest. “It is a lot of work with a lot of moving pieces. But, working as a team, it all came together. And when the beneficiaries tell you how much of an impact it has on them, it makes it all worth it!”
Deb Barr, who serves on the race board as the child abuse prevention liaison and run sponsorship team, proclaimed: “This year’s event was fabulous! Great weather was icing on the cake. Tremendous thanks to all sponsors, volunteers and participants! It was one of our most successful events!”
Commented Whittney Prasek, IOP race marketing director, “Having such a great cause makes marketing the race each year something I look forward to and do with pride. The racers rave about the scenic views all the while really feeling the impact of the cause they are supporting—prevention of child abuse in the Lowcountry. We couldn’t do it without the entire race committee, community, volunteers and our sponsors.”
OVERALL RACE WINNERS; COURSE LAYOUT
This year’s top male overall runner for the 10k was Kyle Nitsche of Fort Mill, while Maddie Beaubien of Mount Pleasant won the best time in the overall female 10k category. Ross Jordan of Goose Creek emerged victorious as the male overall winner in the 5k and Mary Legare Whaley of Charleston beat out all competitors in the female overall 5k category.
The course began on Ocean Boulevard, with the 5k including a halfway turnaround point on the IOP Connector and the 10k extending the full length of the bridge and continuing into Mount Pleasant at a turnaround spot near the entrance to Seaside Farms. A post-race celebration at Ocean Boulevard featured live music, beer tents, an awards ceremony, cash prizes, kids’ entertainment and vendor exhibits.
To view the full list of sponsors, complete race results and a photo gallery visit ioprun.com.
By Colin McCandless
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