The Myrtle Beach Marathon is one of the flattest and fastest courses on the East Coast. The late winter race date means race day temperatures are typically cool which can lead many to PRs and BQs. Since approximately 9 miles of the course is along the beach and the rest of the course is only a few blocks inland, the wind can be a factor.
The Myrtle Beach Marathon was the 70th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 58th largest in 2022.
This year 10.2% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 8.1% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Myrtle Beach Marathon the 236th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 154th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 99.42 ranks it as the 114th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest course in South Carolina.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Myrtle Beach Marathon a PR Score of 99.42. This PR Score ranks it as the 79th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest in South Carolina.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Myrtle Beach Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 41 feet (12m) Min Elevation: 5 feet (1m)
The course was exactly what I was looking for. Flat, fast, well marked, enough competitors that you never feel too alone. Well supported with aid stations and volunteers. However at 60 deg, it was a bit warm for me. I hear this was unseasonably warm, but has occurred a few times for this race. Cloud cover and slight breeze helped, but I also hear some years the wind is pretty strong.
There was an overlapping section where the 5k shared the course with the marathon and half marathon which was unacceptable. I had to weave between hundreds of 5k walkers who were not staying to the right and taking up the entire width of the course. Hopefully they fix this next year.
The finish festival had great amenities and atmosphere, but the setup was really confusing. I've done 40 or so races and never had such a hard time finding food and drink. It was all there, but navigating the different areas to find everything was a pain.
Long sleeve shirts are a cool color and design, but the fit is awful. Baggy and loose doesn't seem like a shirt for runners.
Overall really enjoyed the race though!
Race Tips
Don't solely rely on pacers (as for any race). The 3 hour pacer for full didn't show up. There were 2 1:30 half pacers. One did well and the other went out way to fast and ended up walking by mile 8. Parking and starting like logistics including bathrooms are really easy.
This is a flat, fast(it) course, parking is easy, volunteers are helpful and supportive. The police did a great job of making the course safe. Start time is perfect at 7am. The packet pickup is organized, but space is tight. Overall, a well run race that is worth the effort to participate in.
Race Tips
Even pacing will work well here - no hills to speak of . Be prepared for possible head wind around miles 18-20. It can also be a little lonely after the half marathoners break off and crowd support is thin. Well marked course (loved giant mile markers) aid/water stations every 2 miles were helpful.
Myrtle Beach has an abundance of hotels, so that was easy. Parking day of is very simple and plentiful.
Tim's review of 2019 Myrtle Beach Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Well organized, flat course, well marked with plenty of aid stations. Warmer and more humid than I would have preferred as I am a predominantly a cold weather runner, but I understand this year was an anomaly in that regard and obviously out of the organizers control. I anticipated large crowds and interesting scenery being at the beach, but to be honest, after the first half or so, things were rather sparse on both accounts. Overall a good experience that probably would have been considerably better had the temperature been 10 or 15 degrees cooler. Pre-race expo was good but cramped and could have used a space double the size.
Race Tips
Not much in the way of strategy as the course if basically a long flat loop with a few turn arounds here and there. Obviously, should you choose to chase a pacer, ask up front what their strategy is. No reason in my opinion for a pacer to begin faster than pace in the first 3 miles in order to "bank" time, but that's exactly what mine did. Fortunately I checked my watch after the first mile and was able to throttle myself back and re-establish a reasonable groove.
I stayed a mile away at a host hotel which was nice as I was able to walk back to the hotel after the race, something that helped initiate my recovery process. Rooms were plentiful this time of year and rates good in the off season.
This was my 1st marathon and my only one so far, but I'm having trouble finding one (w/out traveling too far) that I think will compare. It was definitely not a boring course, plenty of spectators, and flat, flat, flat. Highly recommend!
