Race Information for the 2020 Myrtle Beach Marathon

The Myrtle Beach Marathon has been a long-standing winter event in the Grand Strand and 2020 serves as its 23rd year in Myrtle Beach. It draws in thousands of visitors from all over the country and is a qualifier for the very popular Boston Marathon. The Myrtle Beach Marathon weekend is jam-packed with excitement for everyone and includes a Runners Expo, Family Fun Fun, 5K race, Half Marathon and Marathon. Here’s a breakdown with everything you need to know about the Myrtle Beach Marathon events.

Races and Events

The 2020 Myrtle Beach Marathon weekend will be held March 6th – 7th. Runners must pick up their registration packets and swag bags at the Runners Expo held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 1 at Dave & Buster’s at Broadway at the Beach. Vendors will be set up to offer official Marathon merchandise, running gear, snacks and more. The expo is free and open to the public.

The Myrtle Beach Marathon and Half Marathon are the first races of the day on Saturday, March 7th. The start time is 7 a.m. with a 6:55 a.m. start time for crankchair and wheelchair participants. Marathon runners will have pace groups in 15-minute increments beginning at 3 hours through five hours and thirty minutes. Half Marathon pace groups will range from 1 hour and 30 minutes to three hours. The half marathon course will close at 11 a.m. and the marathon course will close at 1:30 p.m. Medals will be awarded to all participants at the finish line.

The Myrtle Beach 5K will begin at 8 a.m. along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Parking will be available at Broadway at the Beach and a shuttle will bring participants to the start from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.

The Family Fun Run is a one-mile race open to all ages! It will begin at Pelicans Stadium at 1 p.m. and each runner will be awarded a race t-shirt and medal.

Overall awards and age groups awards will be presented to the top three male and female runners after the race finish for the Myrtle Beach Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K races.

Routes

The Myrtle Beach Marathon features a “flat and fast” course through some of the Grand Strand’s most popular areas. The Myrtle Beach Marathon will start near the intersection of Robert M. Grissom Parkway at 21st Avenue North with the finish line in the parking lot at Pelicans Stadium. Runners will head south down Kings Highway through The Market Common and then all the way up Ocean Boulevard to the Dunes section of Myrtle Beach. Enjoy views of the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel and Boardwalk, beachfront hotels and Thunderbolt Park at The Market Common along your race course.

The Myrtle Beach Half Marathon will start and end in the same location as the marathon course. The course winds south down Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach, through The Market Common and north up Ocean Boulevard to Mr. Joe White Avenue where you’re just a short distance to the finish at the ballpark.

The 5K race will begin just south of Plyler Park along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and end at the parking lot at the Pelicans Ballpark.

The Family Fun Run will begin in the outfield at the Pelicans Ballpark and end outside of the stadium at the same finish line as the other races.

Conditions and Course Information

Water stops will be located every two miles along the race course: miles 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11.5, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and 25.

There will also be five medical stations along the marathon course. Miles 5, 11.5, 14, 18, 22.

Restrooms will be available every two to three miles. Food stations are located at mile 14 and 22 with a variety of GU flavors as well as at the finish line.

The average low temperature in March in Myrtle Beach is around 47 degrees with highs near 65 degrees. Typically, the area gets just five days of rain on average in the month of March.

Places to Stay for the Myrtle Beach Marathon Weekend

Breakers Resort at 2006 North Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Breakers Resort is located just north of the start for the 5K at the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and a short distance from Pelicans Stadium. It also serves as one of the host hotels for the Myrtle Beach Marathon participants. The oceanfront resort offers a variety of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom rentals within its eight properties. The indoor pools and bubbling Jacuzzis are the perfect spots to soak after finishing one of the races of the weekend. Fill up with breakfast at Papa’s Restaurant or grab something and go from Starbucks or Ben and Jerry’s – all located within the property.

South Bay Inn & Suites at 520 North Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

South Bay Inn and Suites is a new hotel located along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk – perfect for quick access to the race courses. The hotel offers beautifully decorated one- and two-bedroom rentals with city or ocean views in a variety of room layouts comfortable for all families. South Bay Inn is home to a large indoor water park with a kiddie play area, two large waterslides and an indoor pool. Soak in one of three amazing hot tubs after your race or relax on your balcony and listen to the waves crashing in. Other perks include valet parking, complimentary breakfast and room service.