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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 191 to 201]
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K. T. from Fredericksburg, VA
(3/14/2006)
"Great Experience for my First Race" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the Dasani 1/2 Marathon this year. This was my first race so I had no preconceived ideas about what to expect. I read the previous comments prior to the race which only served to add to my anxiety about course conditions, etc. I found all race staff/volunteers exceptional. They were very friendly both at the expo and on race day. I couldn't believe that the police officers who were on hand for traffic control were even cheering us on! There was a volunteer/spectator at every intersection who was equally as encouraging and friendly. It wasn't a hot day so water was okay, but the volunteers at the water stations were on the ball and cleaning up the dropped cups as fast as they were being thrown down. The course is relatively flat (as is the entire coastal area). I run in a hilly area so the incline at the end was a relief because my leg muscles liked the change of terrain. I ran alone but found that other participants were friendly and encouraging as well. Overall, I had a great first time experience and would recommend this race to all novice runners like myself. See you next year! | |
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S. L. from Northern California
(3/13/2006)
"Avoid this marathon!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 Let me begin by saying 2 runners were hit by cars DURING this marathon (this was in the local newspaper the next day). I think one ended up in the hospital. The latter part of the course is UNSAFE. Runners are on a busy 4-lane (I believe) road with one lane blocked off for runners. This is NOT a closed course. There are a multitude of cross-streets and strip mall driveways that were fairly well covered by volunteers, but apparently not well enough, as evidenced by the 2 runners who were struck by cars. Who wants to worry about being run over when you're trying to finish 26.2 miles? Secondly, there were no space blankets (the shiny Mylar blankets) available at the finish. WHAT WAS THE RACE DIRECTOR THINKING?? People were shivering from being sweaty and cold. My friend (an experienced runner) completed the marathon, then went into the first aid tent to have blisters and a cramped leg attended to. He ended up being carted out of there on a gurney, shivering uncontrollably, going hypothermic. I asked, "Where are the Mylar blankets?" of the people wheeling the gurney through the cold wind to the triage area. They said, "We don't have any." Excuse me? You are providing emergency care and you don't have an extremely basic, common-sense item like a space blanket on a chilly, breezy, overcast day threatening rain? That was so absurd and so ridiculously dangerous. A space blanket is less than $4 retail, and given to EVERY FINISHER at any standard marathon finish due to the risk of hypothermia, especially on cold days. The oversight (or deliberate lack of this item) was disgraceful. It was obvious from the too-low mileage clocks along the course to the (nice, but clueless) volunteers who didn't know how to properly pass a cup of water to a fast-moving runner, to the sickly red PowerAde drink at the aid stations that this was a very low-level marathon. The volunteers along the course were well-meaning and very nice, but not very informed about the race. The volunteers post-race, again, were very pleasant, but very ignorant about runners' needs post-race. My friend should never have gotten to the state of hypothermia - a knowledgeable first aid area would not have let him lie on a massage table in a soaking wet running singlet and shorts without providing some sort of covering or blanket. The post-race party at the House of Blues was great if you like being packed in like sardines, and if you like cheap beer (Bud Light & Miller Light) and cheaper food. All the food choices were meat based. Non-meat eaters were out of luck, except for a very bland bowl of pasta. This marathon rates at the bottom of the barrel. The volunteers were very pleasant and very well-meaning, but other than that, this is one to AVOID if you want a well-organized, safe marathon. Save your $70 and run a marathon where the race directors know what the heck they're doing. | |
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H. C. from West Virginia
(3/5/2006)
"Better Than Great" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 From the race director, to his wife, who help us get signed-in, to everyone else that worked during and on this race was the greatest. Bi-Lo is Run-Hi on this event. Everyone there had a great time. Whatever you wanted, and/or needed was handed to you, quick and without question. I have run in many great 1/2 marathons and now I can say that I have run in a GREAT MARATHON. Myrtle Beach is a great place to run a marathon. If you are thinking about running a marathon, do yourself a favor and run this one. This is really more than a great race - it is a great time. Thanks folks for putting on a great event. Regards, HK | |
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M. K. from Kernersville, NC
(3/3/2006)
"Transportation problems" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 The MB Marathon was my first and I consider myself very lucky to get to the start. I had planned on taking the shuttle from the Ocean Dunes/Sand Dunes Resort (they are one of the resorts on the MB website and have shuttle service to the race). Arrived at 5:15 for the shuttle and was informed the 1st one left at 5:00. The next shuttle that arrived was a small bus that was half full and was told "not to worry," another one will be by in 5 minutes and they will be running every 5-10 min. The next shuttle was a 9-passenger van. That filled up quickly and there was a 15-20 of us left waiting. Time quickly passed by, 5:50 became 6:00, and then 6:10. A couple from Nebraska decided to drive and gave 4 of us a rides (thanks for the ride to the race). I don't know what happened to the others waiting for the shuttle, but I don't think they made it to the race on time. We arrived at the race at 6:25, ran to the start line and was off. I also had my running bag with me, and since I didn't have enough time to check it in, I tossed it to the side and it was stolen. The race weather was perfect and had a good race. I understand that a few people we injured due to some of the crazy drives. Overall I had a nice time during the race and after. I just needed to work out the problems with transportation. | |
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M. C. from Alabama
(2/26/2006)
"Fun Marathon" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my third marathon. The course was very flat. There were no hills but a few inclines which after 18 miles started feeling like hills. The first few miles were good but the later miles were long stretches with not a lot to see. Spectators were few but were out there for support. The organization was great. I could not have asked much more out of the organization part. This was definitely fun and worth running. I would definitely recommend this marathon; do it at least once. | |
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Sid Busch from Charleston ,SC
(2/26/2006)
"Great Volunteers" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Myrtle Beach Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 5th Myrtle Beach Marathon and 134th overall. The course is flat and fast, but the real joy of running this one is the volunteers. They make you feel like you're a winner, all along the course. The Myrtle Beach Police Department not only make it a safe run, but offer encouragement to all runners, and I made sure to thank them all as I went by. It's not a New York or Chicago, but the services offered, and the aid given to all runners, make this an event that's not to be missed. | |
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Vanessa Reiter from York, PA
(2/26/2006)
"Perfect" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just ran this marathon and it was awesome. Fabulous course, well organized. Great weather!!! Hats off to all for such an amazing and awesome job. It was really fun. Incidently, mission accomplished for the sponsors. Now, I only shop at Bi-Lo when I'm down South and I have switched from Mc D's to Wendys. Just because they sponsored this race. | |
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J. B. from Washington, D.C.
(2/24/2006)
"My Review" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Myrtle Beach was my 31st marathon. I realize this seems like a lot, but I choose my races very carefully. I was looking for a small-to-medium-sized marathon, with a fast course and decent weather. I could care less about the scenery because I was focused on time only. The course is fast! Also, the weather was fairly close to perfect, the race was fairly well-organized, and the people in Myrtle Beach were very nice. My only complaint was that the start was a mess. There was a total of 6,000 people, which included the 1/2 marathon and relay. All the slow runners, most of whom weren't doing the marathon anyway, lined up in the front. I lined up where I was supposed to (at the 3:40 pace sign). My first two miles were almost 10's when I needed to be doing 8.5's, causing me to be in the hole from the beginning. I missed my goal time by three mins., and while I don't attribute this to the disorganized start, it didn't help. Also, I agree with the previous comment about the mile markers not being visable (I missed a few). All in all, I would recommend this marathon, it's just having a few growing pains. It was a positive experience. People shouldn't run it expecting the course to be as exciting as NYC and some of the other big-city marathons. | |
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william carter from detroit,mi
(2/22/2006)
"The little marathon that could!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I think this marathon was very well done. It didn't try to be a New York, Chicago, etc. It is a marathon with no prize money, no elites, and no grand ideas to be more than what it is for now. Hats of to Myrtle Beach and the Marriot where I stayed. My wife, my three year-old and I were treated exceptionally well by everyone. The expo was small, but well organized and run by some of the friendliest people I have met in my 8 previous marathons. I really liked the course. Yes, it was crowded at the start. But anyone who has done a marathon recently, knows that this is the norm these days with larger and larger numbers of participants. I really liked that most of the course was run along the ocean and that the spectators were very friendly and supportive. Volunteers everywhere and very visible. A more difficult course than advertised with a few tough hills and bumps. I thought the finish area was one of the better organized. There was an unlimited amount of beverages including water and PowerAde (no food:( ). My wife had no difficulty meeting me and finisher's medals were readily available. The post-race party was awesome at the house of blues. Free beer and pretty good food. Did I mention free? Cool video from the race and very friendly people. Congratulations to the organizers of the Myrtle Beach Marathon. Yes, there were some things that could be improved, but I think they are doing a heck of a job. I'll be back next year for the 10-year anniversary. | |
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R. S. from Kansas
(2/22/2006)
"Much better than expected" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 After reading comments from previous years, I didn't expect much from this marathon. I ran it because it fit into my schedule. I thought it was run very well for the size of it. Last year I ran 13 marathons. Some of them were very large such as NYC, Marine Corp, etc. I feel I have a lot of experiences to compare this one to. The course was flat and fast and well marked. The aid/water stations were well manned. The weather was the most perfect I've seen for a marathon. There were more port-a-potties than at most races (compared to number of runners). But, my most favorite part of the race was the volunteers. They were everywhere. They were energetic and they were watching out for the runners. It was my first marathon ever to travel to alone. I was a bit nervous about that and to compound it, I didn't feel well. I started out with a sick stomach and a little achy. By mile 17 I was desperately looking for a port-a-potty (quick!). As I searched the area, I finally found a house being constructed with one on-site. I darted off the course to it. After sitting in it for over 7 minutes and feeling like I was going to die and wondering if anyone would ever find me, I heard a sweet voice asking me if I was ok. It was a volunteer who had seen me leave the course and was worried about me. Now that's priceless! There were also police vans driving the course checking on runners. They asked me several times if I was ok. (I figured I must look really, really bad!) I felt I had a team cheering me on and looking out for me. It doesn't get any better than that. As far as the expo, it was ok. It was well organized and took far less time to get everything than at any of the larger marathons. I've been to very few marathons that don't require you to go to several different stations to pick up numbers, chips, shirts. Thank you Myrtle Beach! |
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