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Myrtle Beach Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Myrtle Beach Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.2 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.3 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.6 
 
 
Number of comments: 318 [displaying comments 251 to 261]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 24 25 26 27 28 .. 32 > ]

 

a. c. from South Carolina (2/21/2005)
"Great Marathon Experience!" (about: 2005)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Myrtle Beach Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


We could not have asked for better weather. The course was flat and fast. The race was organized and well run. I did a personal best by 10 minutes. Crowd support was small, but enthusiastic! I enjoy having the half marathoners and relay people start at the same time. It helped to have more people around than if it would have been just marathoners alone.
 

Capn' Zip from Charlotte, NC (2/21/2005)
"Avast Me Hearties - This Pirate Had a Great Time!" (about: 2005)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


What a wonderful time! The salt in the air, a great group of runners, and weather that couldn't be beat. This was my first experience at Myrtle Beach and I must say I was not disappointed. The temps at the early 6:30 a.m. start were brisk but by mile 4 were comfortable. Lots of runners decided on wearing tights but really never needed them once the sun came out. No wind! Only one early aid station fell behind handing out hydration. All of the volunteers were friendly and enthusiastic. Thanks for being out there. You made a difference. Of course, the local police officers did an awesome job with traffic control and encouraged the runners - way to go guys!
I especially enjoyed running through the 'brick wall' at mile 20 and the 'pirate themed' gel station towards the end. All good fun.

The land of beach music and shag dancing definitely knows how to put on a good marathon. You can't go wrong with this one (Heck, even if you have a lousy time running, you're still at the beach!). See you next year...
 

w. d. from bethlehem ga (2/20/2005)
"outstanding race" (about: 2005)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Ran the half course. Can't wait til next year to do the full one!!!!
 

T. B. from Wilmington, NC (2/20/2005)
"Nice first marathon course" (about: 2005)

1 previous marathon | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


This was my first marathon and overall I was pleased/impressed with the event. Packet pick-up was a bit hectic. You had to go through a line first to get your number, then another line to get your chip and finally another line to get your shirt. The expo was ok. The pasta dinner was expensive at $15 per person, regardless of age.

The race started promptly on time. The course was as flat as the pancake houses we ran by and the weather was perfect (for me). No appreciable wind to speak of.

Crowd support was ok by my standards - too much crowd support is annoying to me - so crowd lovers would probably be disappointed.

Police/traffic control was great.

Course markings, split timers every 2 miles, aid stations and volunteer support was excellent.

Overall, 5 stars for the course, 4 stars due to the packet pick-up method and 4 stars for spectator support.
 

A. M. from Philadelphia, Pa (2/19/2005)
"Fun Race - Better Weather but Sloppy Start" (about: 2005)

6-10 previous marathons | 2 Myrtle Beach Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 2


The weather this year was much better than last year. In fact, it was nearly ideal for fast times (30 at start, quickly warming into the 40-50's and virtually no wind). I will say I was a a little surprised to need my ice scraper at 5 am, but for a snowbird like myself it wasn't too bad. What's not to like about an early, fun marathon without snow and ice??

OTOH, the start was a slow mess as usual. The problem is they don't have corrals or make any significant attempt to encourage people to line up at the appropriate places (aka - why are walkers/9-10 mm runners lining up at the front?). I know self-seeding always has problems, but it seems like most races at least make an attempt to get people to seed themselves correctly. At the very least, they ought to have put up pace signs.

Spectators still spotty/non-existent. I give it to the ones who were out there, but don't expect a big crowd.
 

J. S. from Ocean Isle Beach, NC (2/19/2005)
"Nice, flat course, well-organized" (about: 2005)

2 previous marathons | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Course was flat and therefore fast. Well-organized and volunteers did a great job. Water/Powerade stations were well-manned. Would suggest staggering start times for half marathon and relay. Lots of congestion at the starting line.
Overall, a very good experience.
 

I. j. from Chicago (10/15/2004)
"Flat, Fast, Nice Winter Break" (about: 2004)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


The course is flat and fast (flast). I agree it was a very windy final 10K in 2004, but there is nothing you can do about that. And the course is near the ocean in the spring, so wind is not uncommon. And, yes, the course was not scenic in lots of places, but there were still streches along or near the ocean.

There were not many spectators, but those thate were there were great.

The organization was fairly solid.

Here is my big suggestion about doing this marathon. Stay at the Radisson. It is a great hotel and about 1/2 mile from the start/finish at the baseball field. It is nearly a perfect distance to walk/jog to warm up before the start and to cool down after.

Also, lots of massage tables at the finish. This was a big plus. There were so many empty tables, I got two extra long massages.

Overall, this is a good race.
 

J. M. from Charleston South Carolina (5/10/2004)
"Loved '04 and can't wait until '05" (about: 2004)

1 previous marathon | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


Great marathon. The spectators were fantastic. I was amazed at the amount of people that came out to cheer EVERYONE on. All along the course were friendly cheers. I've read in other posts how the course was not scenic and full of pancake houses and cheap hotels for scenery. Well welcome to Myrtle Beach, other than the ocean, which a good 10 miles or so was right next to you, there's not much else to see. This was my first marathon and the achievement of completing it overrode any negative comments I could possibly come up with.

Organizers were friendly, shuttle buses were prompt and drivers courteous, host hotel was nicely set up for runners (alright, I found the host hotel a bit pricy compared to every other hotel, plus I could hear everything in the next room including their alarm waking me up 2 minutes before mine went off). But I'm already training hard with next year in mind and in all fairness to Holiday Inn, I'll probably stay there again next year if they host. I wasn't quite in marathon shape and finished in 5 hrs+ but still had plenty of support all the way through. Next year I'm breaking into the 3 hr+ territory.
 

Poke Salad Annie from Suffern, New York (3/15/2004)
"Hooters Airplane to South Carolina" (about: 2004)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 1


We had a cold winter up north so South Carolina, the beach, the sun seemed inviting. Holiday Inn host hotel was overpriced... could have stayed at a 'thousand' beachfront hotels for half price. Host hotel needs updating and nowhere near start finish at race. HINT: Stay at hotel up by 'Broadway at Beach' Shopping complex. Pasta Party at host hotel well worth the money; plenty of food and delicious. HINT: If you are going to do the 10K race the night before, sign up online... at the expo 10K sign up is expensive. HINT: Ripley's Aquarium 5K run is for school children. Not really a race and only 50 students/adults are allowed to run through the Aquarium in groups. Pay the money and visit shark tanks and enjoy the experience. Organization for this 5K 'Fun' run was poor and children are allowed to run off by themselves for 3 miles.

Marathon is done on long flat windy highways... nowhere near beach view. T-shirt stores and pancake restaurants are all you will see. HINT: House of Blues post party great. Jumbo screen with day of marathon is shown. Great Fun. Goodie bags and people very friendly. Red Powerade given at race stained clothing and was very strong mixture. Too commerical for my taste but I have added South Carolina to my 50statesmarathon.club list.
 

Randall Hrechko from Columbia, SC (3/5/2004)
"Flat, Fast (for the most part) and Windy " (about: 2004)

6-10 previous marathons | 2 Myrtle Beach Marathons
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This was the second time I ran this marathon and have qualified for Boston both times. This was a lot harder then in 2002 and I ran about 5 minutes slower. The wind was incredible. The last 10K of the race was TOUGH!!!

I think the organization for this race was good. I would recommend making the host hotel be the Courtyard Marriott right next to the start/finish. I think it would be easier to get in/out for picking up stuff and it is a nicer hotel.

Kudos on another job well done and helping me steer to Boston in 2005.

P.S. Next year tell the wind to stay in bed until after lunch.
 

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