This was my 22nd marathon but my first review.

This is the best race I've done, especially if you are doing your first marathon. Flat with all water stations open if your at the back of the pack (5 hr+). Even the entertainment was still at the last 2 water stations.

This was my 6th marathon and I really enjoyed the flat course and well organized water stations and aids.
The weather was perfect for the race day! I will definitely do it again.

I had higher expectations for the run. It wasn't bad but wasn't great either.

PROS
* friendly, welcoming town
* flat course
* plenty of hotels
* great volunteers
* waters stops were great
* course well manned by friendly police

CONS
* Course is fairly pedestrian
* Where were the advertised course snacks?
* Expo workers uninformed ... I got different answers to the same question from no fewer than 4 volunteers
* Shuttle busses -- mass confusion before and after race .. No race official could direct us properly
* Hotel -- if you are looking for stable Internet and
cable do not stay at Courtyard
* tracking application for smartphone was a waste of $1.99
* very few fans on course and, strangely, no live music to be found

So, a mixed bag overall. Thank you Myrtle Beach.

I was entered for the cancelled 2010 race and ran 2013 because it's an easy drive and the date worked well with my schedule.

Overall the race seemed well organized. Parking was relatively convenient to the start/finish. Aid stations were properly stocked and manned. The course is mostly flat and would probably be considered boring by most but I don't really care about scenery in a marathon.

My only real complaint is that several of the mile markers, as well as the 10k split, were off. It's almost like they put them at a 'convenient' location. It was a little disconcerting and should be corrected if the organizers want runners to take this race seriously.

This was my 6th half marathon and I loved every minute of it. I stayed at the host hotel so package pick up was easy and fast. I loved that the expo was also on Thursday night. We got there when the doors opened and although they were a lot people we got through the pick up process in a matter of minutes.

There was a shuttle from our hotel to the race site but we walked which was a nice way to warm up and cool down.

I loved seeing the elephant as I ran right past her at the start. It was quite a surprise but a unique way to start a race. The course was nice and flat with just one small rise that I can remember. There were pockets of spectators which was nice but I wouldn't care either way.

The volunteers were awesome and fluid stations were well stocked and placed every 2 miles. The medal was unique and I loved the shirt. It was my favorite out of all the 1/2 marathons I've done. All in all an outstanding and well organized race. Oh...and I set a PR as did my sister.

Terrific race, perfect weather, fast course (wish I'd trained a bit more!). Myrtle Beach was exceptionally easy to get around. We stayed at the convention center hotel, and had under a mile walk to the start/finish (shuttles provided, but a nice way to wake up and cool down/recover - also eliminated the need to check a bag).

Yes, the start is early (6:30), but they know what they're doing - sun comes up at 7 and by 10 it was getting a bit warm. The marathoners and the half-marathoners start at the same time and follow the same course for the first 11 miles. I was nervous about over-crowding, but you're clearly and cleanly separated into two lanes for the first mile +, and it was never over-run.

Race package included a t-shirt, blanket, hefty medal and drawstring backpack. Everyone we encountered was exceptionally friendly and nice. Post-race celebration was great, and plentiful food (chips, muffins, soup, bananas, beer, etc.)

Only three complaints: race shirt didn't have the date on it; instead of mylar blankets at the end, we were given plastic ponchos (In my experience Mylar holds the heat in a bit better); and post-race party was 12 miles away from the convention center, which dissuaded us from going.

Overall a great race, and one I'd do again.

Not a scenic course given that you are mostly running behind hotels and past shopping areas, but volunteers at the water stops are enthusiastic and loud. More bands and spectator support would have been nice.

The fleece blanket was a nice surprise amenity, in addition to the short sleeve tech t-shirt.

The shuttle bus driver was not well informed on the dropoff location for the start, but thankfully, other riders on the bus were.

Food at the end of the race was a little hard to find but it was plentiful (bagels, muffins, chips, soup, drinks, bars).

Overall, a decent small race and I may do it again.

Loved this race! First you cannot beat the location, and that is coming from someone who lives on the FL beach. We had all sun and COLD weather (it snowed that night!). Stayed at the Best Western Grand Strand and loved it. Shuttle right across the street. The expo was good, baby tigers and therapy dogs were cute. Sufficient choices for those who needed anything.

Expo location at the Sheritan was convienient too, parked across the street at Office Depot so didn't have to pay to park. Shuttle on race morning was waiting right outside when we were ready to go. The start had plenty of port a potties, major point for me. They had music and, though I didn't see them, the baby tigers and an elephant. They did have a few pace groups, more for the half I felt. The course was nice, the first half led us over to the beach,the second half continued up the coast and then onto the highway, which wasn't too bad.

My only complaint was the severe slant in the road as we progressed after the half split. Nothing can bedone about that hough (we were all trying to run the middle line!). My hips paid the price. The finish was very organized, my husband found me coming in (he ran the half and loved it!). Medals, ponchos, pictures first, then water, drink, fruit, fruit cups (my dream come true for after a marathon!), delcious muffins, crackers, soup, etc. we sat by the little lake in the sun and enjoyed the delicious smell of kettle corn.

They also had beer, Krispy Kreme, live music and more vendors. Shuttles back to hotels were not far. I must say the volunteers were the best I have seen in my ten marathons. True southern hospitality. The man who gave me my packet at the expo saw me in the race and cheered me on! The water stations were spaced perfectly and evryone cheered my name as I ran through. Great sized cups and plenty of water. There were music stations along the way too. There were spectators and those who came out were very encouraging. The medal was unique which I liked and the shirt fit great!

The RD gave a ready response when I emailed about registrations. I really loved this race, almost hit a PR, too bad about the road slant, but I am glad I did this as my SC race. Enjoy:)

I really enjoyed this race. The organization was top notch with no hiccups that I could see. The expo was very easy to get in and out of. Shirt was a thin cotton T but they also gave out a fleece blanket so I won't harp on that. Fluid stations were plentiful plus there was live music throughout the course. Police did a fantastic job of controlling traffic where needed. The course had a good variety of scenery and was most importantly flat. Plenty of food and fluids at the finish. This was only my second 26.2 but compared to R&R savannah, this one was FAR superior on every aspect. The medal was unique and not a round disc. Cool medal. I will be back next year and probably the year after that. GREAT JOB Myrtle Beach!!

For all the well deserved grief this race has received over the past few years, they deserve credit when they get it right. 2013 was extremely well done. Plenty of supplies on course, a large amount of enthusiastic and helpful volunteers, and a fast course that was prime for PR's. The setup allowed for easy tangent running... By far the closest to 26.2 on the watch of any marathon I've run thus far. All things considered, a great event this year!