With the third annual Charleston Harbor Poker Run having to be postponed two months and then canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers, sponsors and participants of the event in Charleston, S.C., were eager to return to the beautiful and historic waterfront community—and the gathering did not disappoint.

Brian Forehand of Marker 17 Marine ran his stunning 50-foot Outerlimits in the Charleston Harbor Poker Run last weekend. Photos by Bennie Brawley

“Well, poker run weekend has come and gone, and I think I speak for everyone when I say we had a blast,” said Chad Walton, the event’s primary organizer who manages the Boat Life of Charleston Facebook group that promotes the run. “I want to thank everyone who came out to this event to enjoy our waterways with us. It was awesome to meet so many people from all different parts of the country. All with one similar interest…fast boats. We received nothing but positive feedback from everyone involved and we look forward to seeing everyone again in May 2022.”

According to Walton and event photographer Bennie Brawley, the event’s 69 registered boats, totaling more than 250 participants, rolled into Safe Harbor Bristol Marina midweek for last Saturday’s run. In the mix was the current V-bottom kilo world record holder Brian Forehand of Marker 17 Marine in Wilmington, N.C., in his canopied 50-foot V-bottom from Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats as well as previous kilo record holder Ben Robertson of BAR Marine Group in Jacksonboro, S.C., who ran an outboard-powered 38 SFC from Fountain Powerboats.

Check out the slideshow above for more images of the Charleston Harbor Poker Run.

On Saturday, crowds gathered along “The Battery” seawall to watch the blast off as the boats hit the throttles for the poker run. From there, light winds and moderate chop greeted boaters as they headed up both the Wando and Cooper rivers as part of the route that yielded many great vantage points for spectators.

The winner of the event’s best poker hand went to South Carolina boaters Michael and Tammy Redden, who enjoyed the run in their beautiful 34-foot Nor-Tech center console. In all, Walton estimated that $7,000 was raised for the Carolina Children’s Charity,

“This year’s run was a solid confirmation of the growth of the annual event with participants and spectators already looking forward to next year’s Charleston Harbor Poker Run,” said Brawley, who also is looking forward to shooting the 2022 event, which is on the calendar for May 20-22.

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