Myrtle beach was a terrific first marathon and I was very pleased w/ my race time. The loop course was plenty interesting and the volunteers were great. The spectators were sparse in places but enthusiastic and much appreciated on this gorgeous but cool day. Yes, the packet pick-up and race start could be streamlined (organizers--you have heard this before), and the Powerade should have been lemon-lime, but the pasta dinner was a good value and the House of Blues was great fun. Thanks to the amazing masseuse who prevented the anticipated day-after marathon paralysis. We loved staying in an oceanfront hotel, soaking in a jacuzzi, running on the beach and playing mini-golf--all part of the MYB experience! And yes, a pancake house for breakfast on Sunday. Great event!

I am so glad that all the previous posts had such an enjoyable experience. I had high hopes that I would have a similar experience. I went to MB to have a great run and enjoy myself.

Unfortunately I had nothing of the sort. By the time I was done with this marathon I was extremely disappointed. I run marathons to get the medal... but by the time I got to the finish line, they had run out of them. So after suffering miserably for 26.2 miles, the one reason I showed up in Myrtle Beach they went ahead and told me sorry, too bad, we don?t have any more. I can?t tell you how disappointed and depressed I was. They had denied me the honor of receiving my medal after completion of the marathon.

Even if they do eventually provide me with a medal, and I don?t have high hopes they will, it will not be the same as receiving it on race day. And I wasn?t exactly in the back of the pack; close, but not the back. Several hundred marathoners also got the ?honor? of not getting a medal after their run. I felt the worst for the first-time marathoners who came across the line and got nothing. This race did a tremendous disservice for those of us who paid good money for the privilege of running this race and then they did not deliver on what they promised.

And it wasn?t just the medal. After proudly proclaiming on the website and in brochures that they would provide lemon-lime Powerade every two miles along the course, they had every flavor out there except lemon lime. They did solve that by mile 10. After mile 10 they had no Powerade whatsoever. And I would like to point out that the number of runners this year was no different that in previous years.

From my view this was the worst marathon organization I had ever seen. Although I will say the volunteers were fantastic, I felt sorry for the ones who had to man the finish line because they had to deal with telling a lot of people they weren?t getting a medal.

I have sent an email to the race director, and tried to call the number on the website. After a week I would have expected at least an email saying something, but they have not responded. And the phone voice mail is full and has been all week long, so obviously they are not responding to voice messages either. You would think they would go out of there way to make sure everyone who deserved a medal got one, or at least an explanation for why they didn?t. But not this marathon.

My opinion, considering how boring the course was (many miles of parking lots, gift shops, putt-putts and hotels) and the level of organization (or lack thereof): I would not recommend this marathon to anyone. If you are doing 50 states, then I am sure there is a better run and more scenic marathon somewhere in South Carolina. If you want to run a great beach, tourist area marathon I would recommend the Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon - they took you by a lot of beach front and some interesting locations... and the organization was miles above this race. But then again, any hometown small marathon would be better run than this was.

The course, city, spectators, volunteers and race organization were excellent. More work needs to be put into the expo. The idea of going from station to station to pick up registration items was alien, and bad organization. Other than that, the organizer did an A+ job. I look forward to running more of that race.

Myrtle Beach is a great place to set a PR.

I've managed to run 2 great races ('02 & '05) there, and each has been faster than any other marathon in my last 8 years. Of course it's flat, but it is also very well managed. In fact, I've been running for 28 years and it's probably the best run race I've ever attended.

Myrtle Beach 2005 was my 8th marathon, but my 1st time to run this race. From registration to the finish line, this was an excellent event in every way. Everyone who worked on the marathon was friendly and helpful. The aid stations were great, the start and finish were well organized, and the weather was perfect. Only suggestion: Add more Porta-Potties along the course, especially in the first half of the race.

Go ahead and line up at the front... no one will stop you. But be prepared to get run over. Nice flat course. Friendly folks. Thanks to Wendy's for supplying nice size cups at the stations. I was disappointed we didn't get Frosties at the finish...

This was my second marathon and it was super. Very well organized with lots of helpful volunteers.

The flat/fast course was well-marked, and while we did run with some traffic, I felt safe and well-supported by the police and race volunteers. Plenty of well-stocked/staffed hydration stops and frequent split clocks. The weather really cooperated and there was only a slight ocean breeze to work through.

No huge crowds but there was a steady stream of enthusiastic supporters and a nice, celebratory race-finish atmosphere (complete with more free beer and numerous massage tables).

The pasta dinner was well worth it; very tasty selection with linen napkins and wait-staff service! The Expo/registration was efficient; just a little crowded (but there was free beer!).

We stayed at the Holiday Inn (ocean front room) and I would highly recommend it. Nice clean rooms, awesome view, and close to the action. We drove to the start and had no trouble with traffic or parking. Shuttles were available too.

I would definitely run this race again!

Second time I've run the Myrtle Beach. From start to finish the best organized marathon I've run. The race director is even there to shake your hand when you cross the finish line. After running the NYC, the very slight congestion at the start is nothing. It's all about running your best and the course and crew make sure you have that chance. See you next year!!

Perfect day and course for fast times. For organizers, one opportunity might be to streamline the check-in process (including moving the displays that took up nine parking spaces in a tight lot). Hopefully I'm not the only one, but I missed that the 5K was chip-timed and nobody told me to get one (nor a medal afterward). For me, that was just a warm-up for Saturday's marathon, so no biggie, but I hope others didn't miss out. Also wasn't real clear on where things were after the marathon; I missed those apparently wonderful massage tables (maybe if organizers gave you a site map?). House of Blues was a LOT of fun. Free food and New South, and both were good. The video was a very nice touch so soon after the race's end. That's a nice event to look forward to, oh, at mile 22. Good volunteers, friendly crowd of runners. I hope I make it back next year.

This was my first full marathon and it was great! The packet pick-up was quick and expo was fun. The course was flat with lots of changes in scenery along the way from Ocean Drive hotels to a stretch along the ocean, a residential area and then Highway 17. The water stations were every two miles. I didn't even use my fuel belt! The volunteers were the best!! They were everywhere! I will run this race again and recommend it to friends.