The Myrtle Beach Marathon is a flat, fast, and scenic race that draws thousands of runners each year to South Carolina’s Grand Strand. Participants can expect a well-organized event with ideal conditions for setting personal records, mild coastal weather, and a festive race weekend atmosphere.
Course and Conditions
The Myrtle Beach Marathon course is exceptionally flat, with a maximum elevation of around 19–41 feet and minimal total ascent (about 110 feet). It follows a loop through central Myrtle Beach, offering several miles of oceanfront running near the beach. The weather in early March is typically ideal for distance running, with average race day temperatures between 46°F and 62°F and humidity around 70%.
The course is USATF-certified and serves as a Boston Marathon qualifier, consistently ranking among the fastest in South Carolina and one of the most PR-friendly marathons in the country.
Race Experience
Runners can expect:
A flat and fast route excellent for personal bests.
Well-marked courses with water and aid stations roughly every two miles.
A lively start near Broadway at the Beach and a finish line celebration at Pelicans Ballpark.
Chip timing, pace groups for marathoners from 3:00 to 5:30 goals, and a six-and-a-half-hour time limit to complete the full marathon.
While the beginning features enthusiastic crowd support, later miles—especially after the half marathon runners diverge—can be quieter. Some participants mention occasional headwinds near miles 18–20 along the coast.
Logistics and Atmosphere
Myrtle Beach is an accessible location with abundant hotels, simple race-day parking, and convenient post-race recovery options nearby. A pre-race expo provides packet pickup and merchandise, and finishers receive medals and other race swag. Many runners stay within walking distance of the start or finish, taking advantage of off-season hotel rates.
Key Takeaways
Date: Early March annually.
Distances: Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K, Kids’ Mile.
Terrain: Very flat and road surface throughout.
Highlights: Oceanfront miles, easy logistics, strong PR potential.
Challenge: Potential wind exposure and sparse crowd sections late in the race.
Overall, runners can expect an efficient, scenic, and enjoyable marathon experience in a relaxed coastal setting—ideal for first-timers and Boston hopefuls alike.
SOURCES
[1](https://findmymarathon.com/race-detail.php?zname=Myrtle+Beach+Marathon)
[2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrtle_Beach_Marathon)
[3](https://www.runna.com/races/race/myrtle-beach-half-marathon)
[4](https://mbmarathon.com/faqs/)
[5](https://www.runmyrtlebeach.com/faqs/)
