Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon

[TEK224]

I was looking on the Half2Run site for an Oct. half and I was reminded about this race. I couldn't do it last year because I was in Minnesota that weekend. I want one of those surfboard medals!

So I'm thinking of registering for it this year. For those of you who did it last year, I have a few questions:

1. How was the course?
2. What hotel would you recommend? I may bring my 86 y/o mother and my adult niece with me. My niece is not great with directions, so I'd like someplace nice, that's close to teh finish area, so she can get their easily to wait for me to finish.
3. I know the general water temp for that time of year is 66. Did anyone venture into the Atlantic while there?
4. Any other important info you think I should know.

Are any WISH-ers doing this event this year?

Thanks!
Terri

 

[MeredithRX]

I loved this race last year. It was my first Half Marathon and I immediately signed up to do it again this year. I'm really looking forward to it!

The course was flat and fast. Of course, it's at sea level and ends on the beach, so there's not much elevation to be had. They had us going over an overpass around mile 3 or so but it wasn't bad at all. That was the only hill. There were some nice things to look at and then other areas were somewhat iffy. I visit Myrtle Beach fairly often and some of those roads I had never seen before. The race ended on the new Boardwalk and that last mile is a very curvy s-shaped cobblestone type path. I will admit I was irritated by the curves when I could see the finish line. I do know that they are considering some slight course changes for this year, but they haven't posted any route changes yet. I'm really curious.

There are TONS of hotels on Ocean Drive that would be near the finish line. I don't even know what to recommend to you on that front. As for me, I was lazy and stayed at a hotel at the Start line. I wanted to be able to hop out of bed and walk right down to the start. It worked out better for me that way, but there are LOTS of beautiful ocean-front hotels and condos all along the final few miles of the course and right there at the Finish/Boardwalk.

The water temperature is variable. I've been down there in October and November when I've actually been swimming with the kids. Other years it's chillier. This past year I went right in up to my thighs to cool my feet and it felt chilly but good. I wouldn't have dived in, but it felt great for what it was.

You should definitely do it. The surfboard medal is fantastic and they're expecting an equally impressive one this year!

 

[WDWFAN9]

Hi Terri,

We stayed at a Hampton Inn nearer to the airport (free shuttle) - it was in a resort area that reminded me of WDW's Boardwalk, several hotels, lots of shops, and restaurants around a small lake. It was not within walking distance of either the race start or finish. The course was pretty flat except for a mild overpass about mile 2. The medal is awesome! The ocean was really cold - we waded in to our knees just to say that we did it, but that was it.

 

[tmbacon]

Hi Terri,

We stayed at a Hampton Inn nearer to the airport (free shuttle) - it was in a resort area that reminded me of WDW's Boardwalk, several hotels, lots of shops, and restaurants around a small lake. It was not within walking distance of either the race start or finish. The course was pretty flat except for a mild overpass about mile 2. The medal is awesome! The ocean was really cold - we waded in to our knees just to say that we did it, but that was it.

I think you may have been staying at Broadway at the Beach. That's a really fun area.

Anyway, OP, I haven't done the Myrtle Beach half, but am really contemplating it - we live in Charlotte (about 3.5 hours away), and I know a few people here who did it last year and really raved about it. It's a fast race and typically the weather conditions are great.

I saw on their web site that the host hotel is Marina Inn at Grande Dunes - that is a FABULOUS hotel, and rates are only $114 if you are in the race, which is a great price!!!!

We go to Myrtle Beach every year for a week in the summer. If I don't do the Princess as my very first half-marathon, I think I will do the Myrtle Beach one. Have to think that through just a bit more though.....

 

[GBBTomorrow]

We recently moved to Upstate SC and have not explored the coast much yet. This might be a fun way to do it! Can anybody tell me about the beach party after the race, and if water/sports drinks were handled pretty well at water stations? Also, was there any entertainment on the course?
I'm intrigued! Hadn't heard of this race yet.

 

[MeredithRX]

Can anybody tell me about the beach party after the race, and if water/sports drinks were handled pretty well at water stations? Also, was there any entertainment on the course?
I'm intrigued! Hadn't heard of this race yet.

I was at the back of the pack, but there was still a lot of water. I'm assuming there were sports drinks sporadically as well, but I don't drink them, so I can't tell you exactly how well stocked they were. There was quite a bit of entertainment. Several DJs at different places and a few bands as well. It was about half 'new' music and half beach/surf music.

The beach party after was pretty good too. I'm sure it would have been better had I been across the finish line earlier. My friend had crossed the line an hour ahead of me and had already downed her free beer long before I got there.. There were plenty of snacks and beverages and places to buy drinks/food on the boardwalk.

 

[TEK224]

Thanks for the replies. I'm seriously considering this race!

Terri

 

[GBBTomorrow]

I was at the back of the pack, but there was still a lot of water. I'm assuming there were sports drinks sporadically as well, but I don't drink them, so I can't tell you exactly how well stocked they were. There was quite a bit of entertainment. Several DJs at different places and a few bands as well. It was about half 'new' music and half beach/surf music.

The beach party after was pretty good too. I'm sure it would have been better had I been across the finish line earlier. My friend had crossed the line an hour ahead of me and had already downed her free beer long before I got there.. There were plenty of snacks and beverages and places to buy drinks/food on the boardwalk.

Thanks for the information. DH and I are thinking we'll likely do this one! It sounds like fun, and a great excuse to spend some time at the beach together.

 

[TEK224]

So I've been looking at hotels in the MB area and trying to decide if I want a hotel room or to book a condo at VRBO.

Does anyone know which hotels/condo buildings are near the finish line of this race? I think I read the last part of the run is on the "new" boardwalk and it finishes on the beach, but I don't know where the new boardwalk is.
I may take my Mom and niece with me. If we could get a place near the finish, they could come out to watch the end of the race. Mom will be in a wheelchair, so I'm trying to make it easier for her and my niece to get around.

Thanks for any info!
Terri

 

[MeredithRX]

The race ends at Plyler Park and that is on the beach. North Ocean Blvd at the corner of 11th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach. There are a lot of hotels right along that stretch but I can't recommend any personally since I haven't stayed in that immediate area.

I'd just google hotels in the area and see what has good recommendations!

 

[GBBTomorrow]

The race ends at Plyler Park and that is on the beach. North Ocean Blvd at the corner of 11th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach. There are a lot of hotels right along that stretch but I can't recommend any personally since I haven't stayed in that immediate area.

I'd just google hotels in the area and see what has good recommendations!

Glad to have this information too! Thanks!

One more question, if you don't mind: if we stay in a hotel near the finish, do you know what is the best way to get to the start? Would we probably need to take a cab, or is it walkable?

Thanks for the help!

 

[MeredithRX]

It's not walkable.

You would have to either drive or take a cab. This past year there were significant traffic problems getting to the start, but I'm thinking they will have worked on those before this years' event. If you drive and leave a car at the start line, they have shuttles from the Finish back to the Start so you can get your car. Those worked fairly well last year.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

It's not walkable.

You would have to either drive or take a cab. This past year there were significant traffic problems getting to the start, but I'm thinking they will have worked on those before this years' event. If you drive and leave a car at the start line, they have shuttles from the Finish back to the Start so you can get your car. Those worked fairly well last year.

Thank you!

 

[TEK224]

Thanks Meredith!

 

[GBBTomorrow]

For those interested in this race, the last day to register at the cheapest rate is today. DH and I just signed up. Gee, now all I have to do is TRAIN for it!