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Myrtle Beach Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Myrtle Beach Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 3.6
Number of comments: 318 [displaying comments 271 to 281]
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P. B. from Louisiana
(2/23/2004)
"A good solid race with good support" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 It was a nice race if you dont mind having to find out basic informaton on your own, such as is there a baggage drop off or not, and is there food as well as beverages at the post-race party or just beer?? Will there be food/fluids at the start/finish? Lots of basic race info was totally not present and my friends and I (we were all from out of town) had to scramble at the last minute to find out important details like I just mentioned. Most of the volunteers and workers at the expo did not seem to have this info at hand. These are very basic items which a runner should not have to go from person to person at the expo asking until they find someone who 'thinks' it 'might' be or not. Other than dropping the ball in the 'need to know' stuff, I thought Myrtle Beach was a good basic marathon, had great aid stations with very friendly and encouraging volunteers who stood in the wind and sun for hours with smiles on their faces! One more negative thing is that I would change the host hotel from the Holiday Inn Oceanfront. I stayed there, and they were very friendly and I had an oceanfront room, but it is 'SO' very run down and grungy, although clean, that it gives a very negative first impression when you first arrive. I arrived on Thursday and couldnt believe this was the host hotel. I know you try to keep costs down, but you really should try to get a newer, more modern hotel. First impressions set the stage, you know?? All in all, I would still probably recommend this race to another 50-stater. | |
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D. C. from Ohio
(2/23/2004)
"A great first marathon" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon. I thoroughly enjoyed the race and the events surrounding the race. I found everyone involved, from the organizers and volunteers to the other runners, to be supportive and pleasant. As others have written here, the course is flat. However, a strong headwind (at times) made for a challenging finish. I would highly recommend this marathon for anyone looking for a first marathon. | |
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r. r. from virginia
(2/22/2004)
"Good but could be better" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The packet pickup could have been streamlined by at least putting the scoring chip in the race packet along with the plastic tieback in with the chip. There were just to many tables to go to and at most races you pick up your packet and then your t-shirt and that is it. The pasta dinner was good but the hotel needs to be closer to the start finish line. I stayed at the Courtyard Marriott beside the stadium, which worked out great. It would have been nice to have the pasta dinner and after-party coupons already in the race packet. The night before the race needs to be stressless, not stressful. The race day went fairly smooth, but there were a few things that could improve the event. The mile markers were not clearly marked and there were very few clocks throughout the event. This made it very tough to keep up with splits and when the next water stop was coming up. There was one water stop in the first 13.1 that had only one volunteer working and that worker had to fill cups and the runners had to pick up cups off the table. At the finish, it would really make it easier if the chip removers used round-end scissors to cut the plastic ties off. I noticed a lot of runners had attached their scoring chip through their shoe laces. This resulted in a major slowdown at the finish line because the runners had to unlace their shoes. Most events now provide directions to runners that the chip is to be attached with a plastic tie that can be easily cut off at the finish without runners having to stop or sit down to have somone unlace the the shoes to take off he chip. Runners need to keep moving after running 26.2 for safety reasons and the possibility of runners passing out due to abrupt stops. | |
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R. L. from Seattle
(2/22/2004)
"Good race, nice town, bad wind" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Double loop (really figure 8). The first half shares with the accompanying half-marathon that starts at the same time... makes for some crowding during the first 6-10 miles. Previous reviewers have described this course as either flat or limited-rolling-hills. The course website calls it pancake-flat. To me, this course is like Houston... yes, it is flat compared to races with big hills. However, there are several stretches of 1/2 to 2 miles apiece that are 'gentle' uphills and these take a toll. Meanwhile, I learned a four-letter word that's far worse than 'hill': WIND. 20-30 mph wind that seemed to be pointing right at you no matter what direction you were running. Combined with these slight uphill grades, the course was a lot harder for me than I expected. However, it is certainly doable and not grueling. And you can't knock the race organizers for wind in a town next to the ocean. The weather was otherwise wonderful. BTW, you will run right next to the ocean for a little bit of mile 16 (very nice)... other than that, you are running on roads through town and oceanfront drive, and alas, there are hotels between you and the ocean on this drive. That said, you have to hand it to the race organizers - they really worked hard to make the course as scenic and ocean-friendly as they could without us running on the beach itself (ouch) :-). Traffic control is reasonably good... I had to dodge a few cars, but there was LOTS of traffic on race morning, and the police and race volunteers worked plenty hard. They did a great job. Post-race food was marginal, but extra credit for food/gel given out DURING the race as well as free water and Powerade at the expo before the race (along with lots of snackie goodies and beer 'free with a donation'). If anyone complains that the race required runners to pay for food, that's not quite true. There was a well marked booth by the gear check that was selling all kinds of food for spectators. There was also a tent with free food for runners; however, it wasn't that well marked depending on how you exited the race chutes (to the left, easy to see; to the right, hard to see). Well organized overall and I'm glad I did it. | |
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M. M. from Fort Mill, SC
(2/22/2004)
"Great Weather and a Fun Race" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 A soild race with good organization. The course is a good one with gentle rolling hills. The expo is smallish, but well done. Packet pick-up is easy. My daughter and I stayed at a hotel approximately 3/4 mile from the start. And, the best part...the race started on time! | |
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J. B. from Ohio
(2/22/2004)
"My first marathon ..." (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, so I do not have anything to compare to. However, I have to say that overall I was very pleased with the experience. I give it two thumbs up! As advertised, the course is pretty flat, and the fans and volunteer staff were great! The only thing that I think needed improvement was the number of porta-johns on the course ... there were just too few ... I saw people, even women, having to use the bushes everywhere along the course ... they need to double the number of porta-john locations, and increase the number of johns at each location. There was one water station that was understaffed (I think it was the second one) ... the poor lady handing out Gatorade was working frantically and her hands will probably be stained Gatorade-red for a few days ... the rest of the water stations had more than adequate staffing. | |
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Jim Goodrum from asheville NC
(2/21/2004)
"Value for your dollar and time" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran the half only, but most of my comments would pertain to the marathon as well. The race director answered my many questions by e-mail leading up to the race. Thank you Terry. We were able to stay next door to the race headquarters for only $54.00 a night, decent rooms. Didn't do the pasta dinner as $15.00 is a little pricey for pasta. Plenty of other places to eat nearby. Pre-race organization was good, expo was good. Volunteers and staff were friendly and supportive. Shuttle problems to the start seemed to be have taken care of since last year as there were ample large buses to get you there. Race day was warm (for a mountain boy) 60 degrees and there was a fairly stiff head wind down by the ocean which the marathoners had to face twice since it is a loop type course. If you find a race where they can control the weather, please let me know. Spectators were okay but sparse. This is a very spectator friendly race as it is easy for friends family etc. to see racers at several points in the race without moving too much. Traffic control was good. I would have given the course a 5 if there was more scenery. But if you want a fast course, this is a good one. Flat with a very few gradual short inclines; you should be able to PR here or qualify for Boston if you have trained well. Food at the end was okay and baggage handling was efficient. Unless you need screaming people for mile after mile or need outstanding scenery to take your mind off of the run, this is a great race. We'll be back. | |
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Randall Hrechko from Columbia, SC
(1/30/2004)
"Flat, flat, flat and more flat!!!!!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran in 2002 and qualified for Boston. I am coming back for more this year. Good race. | |
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M. M. from South Carolina
(11/11/2003)
"Fun, Local Race with Positives and Negatives" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 All in all, not a bad race. Reasonably well-organized with a good start area. The course is mostly flat with limited rolling hills. Solid volunteer-staffed water stops. Only negatives are having to share a busy road with cars (breathing exhaust fumes is not fun). Also, not much in the way of crowd support. I will run again. | |
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R. S. from Cartersville, Georgia
(3/10/2003)
"Excellent , easy to run marathon." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Myrtle Beach is an excellent marathon, with no hills. An easy pace will get you through. If you need a Boston time I would recommend it as well. Whether it's just to complete it or if you are running for a time MB is one to try. |
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