Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon
Myrtle Beach, SC
- Half Marathon, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
This amazing half marathon and 5K race is a South Carolina Dream! Experience the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon™ a nationally acclaimed vacation destination as you like it best…on your feet. This awesome half marathon course boasts over 5.5 miles of oceanfront running! Both races will begin along 8th Ave N … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Oct 10):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 71 | 75 | 79 | 74 | 77 |
| L (°F) | 62 | 60 | 60 | 62 | 66 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Fast East Coast Course
The Run Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon is a solid race if you are looking for a fast coastal half marathon with good organization and a straightforward course layout. Race morning … MORE
The Run Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon is a solid race if you are looking for a fast coastal half marathon with good organization and a straightforward course layout.
Race morning brought steady rain, cool temperatures around 61°F, and wind coming off the ocean. While the weather looked rough at the start, the conditions actually helped once the race got underway.
The course follows a coastal route through Myrtle Beach with long flat stretches that make it easy to settle into a consistent pace. Runners run along sections of Ocean Boulevard before looping back along the boardwalk toward the finish area. The layout is simple and easy to follow, which helps when you are trying to focus on pacing.
The terrain is very runnable with minimal elevation gain. This makes it a good race for runners aiming for a personal best or trying to maintain steady splits.
Aid stations were well placed and volunteers stayed enthusiastic despite the rain. The race production was smooth and organized from start through the finish area.
Even with the weather, the course allowed for consistent pacing. I started dead last and finished in 1:37:30 with a 7:25 average pace, which ended up being a personal record and 1st place in my age group, finishing 59th overall.
For runners considering this race, here are the key takeaways:
• Flat and fast coastal course
• Easy course layout that is simple to follow
• Good volunteer support at aid stations
• Perfect fall temperatures can make for strong race performances
• Weather can be unpredictable along the coast, so come prepared
Overall this is a well run event and a good option if you want a coastal half marathon that gives you a legitimate shot at a PR.
Nice race, but not good for the eart
This is a flat and easy course with great views and nice people. Well marked. Biggest issue was that they used mini water bottles for your water. Literally thousands of … MORE
This is a flat and easy course with great views and nice people. Well marked. Biggest issue was that they used mini water bottles for your water. Literally thousands of mini water bottles just went into the trash on a course NEXT TO THE OCEAN. Not sure who though this was environmentally wise or wise financially for the race. Just use cups of water (paper or wax, not plastic) and fill them from reusable jugs. If I had any other choice, I would have skipped picking up these plastic bottles each time.
There was also NO fuel on the course (most courses have gatorade for a half.
Easy parking, gorgeous scenery
Easy parking morning if race. Bib pick up easy with options to p/u Thursday or Friday. A tiny bit chilly start (53 degrees w/81% humidity) but your warmed up a … MORE
Easy parking morning if race. Bib pick up easy with options to p/u Thursday or Friday.
A tiny bit chilly start (53 degrees w/81% humidity) but your warmed up a mile into the race.
This was a Saturday morning race that started with a gorgeous sunrise over the beach. You are can see the Myrtle Beach boardwalk & massive SkyWheel. Course is flat and easy, water & porta potties at several spots along route. You go through some beautiful neighborhoods and eventually onto Ocean Blvd with the ocean to the left and beautiful house to look it. Finish is so beautiful, ending on the boardwalk! Medals are huge and really nice! Smaller race with 663 runners in the 1/2 marathon. A 5k stared 30 min after the 1/2 runners. Would for sure do this again!
Beautiful race by the ocean
I really loved my time and the ease of the race! The route was beautiful and made the race that much more enjoyable! Loved the excitement before and the after … MORE
I really loved my time and the ease of the race! The route was beautiful and made the race that much more enjoyable! Loved the excitement before and the after party! I would highly recommend participating in this race!
Great Race When in Myrtle Beach
This is a very well run race that is flat and fast for the most part. There is one 180 degree switchback turn at the 2.6 mile mark that will … MORE
This is a very well run race that is flat and fast for the most part. There is one 180 degree switchback turn at the 2.6 mile mark that will slow you down, especially if you are in a bunch of runners. Otherwise, the race is great, the management is professional and the pre-race and post race festivities are fun. The medals are outstanding and the awards include both age groups and Masters. If you are in Myrtle Beach in October, this is a fun race!
The Ocean Views
This is a beautiful course with over five miles of ocean. The free photos by the sky wheel and finish line are an awesome bonus. Having the expo at the … MORE
This is a beautiful course with over five miles of ocean. The free photos by the sky wheel and finish line are an awesome bonus. Having the expo at the Hangout in Broadway at the Beach was a lot of fun and cool to check out.
Very limited hydration
I have been running half marathons for years and I volunteer in multiple races each year. It was very disheartening not to be given water by the race until mile … MORE
I have been running half marathons for years and I volunteer in multiple races each year. It was very disheartening not to be given water by the race until mile nine. The first stop had NO water! When I asked how far till the next water stop everyone had a different answer. The second stop only had pickle juice, no water. I had to ask a sanitation worker if he had any water when I started becoming dehydrated. If you are not going to have enough hydration then you should encourage runners to carry their own. I reviewed your site and registration information and there is nothing saying to bring your own water. The volunteers were doing their best in a hard situation. The corse was very pretty and I liked finishing on the board walk. The medal was very appeasing. My only true issue with this race was the limited hydration.
Fun but needs work
The medal was awesome! The water stations were fun with people dressed up but the first stop had run out of water. How can that even be?! This really screwed … MORE
The medal was awesome! The water stations were fun with people dressed up but the first stop had run out of water. How can that even be?! This really screwed with my performance, as I had no water until almost 6 miles. And to see hundreds of water bottles thrown to the ground almost full was wasteful and just a tease to those of us with no water. The water was full water bottles as well. I would recommend the mini bottles as the full is way too much and more difficult to carry. I was also shocked the expo had nothing there. I was expecting a lot of fun and vendors there! There was also not enough port a John’s at the start and especially along the race. Thankfully I did not need any during the race but several people were on a line for a single port a John!
New Management Needs Experience
It is so sad what happened to this race. It used to be a great one. Originally meant to be part of a training plan for a marathon and ended … MORE
It is so sad what happened to this race. It used to be a great one. Originally meant to be part of a training plan for a marathon and ended up being a trial for a friend’s injured foot. Eeek!
Course – It is different than in the past. I like the start and finish being near each other and not having to board a bus to get back to my car. The finish on the boardwalk is still nice, and the stretch along the beach is still nice.
Support – With more than 200 runners to go, the first stop -at mile 3- was out of water. The 2nd stop – at mile 6- only had pickle juice and rude Lulu girls handing it out. I felt so bad for the volunteers who kept apologizing for being out of water, and the directors should be ashamed they put those people in that position. Water does not go bad. Buy 8 oz bottles next time to cut down on waste if you must have bottled water, and multiply runners times 2. Police officers bought water and handed it out from their bikes and confronted the staff at the finish – we overheard this personally. The race did not have water for those back of packers until mile 9, and by then many had dropped. Never saw the last water stop.
Finish line – You finish on the boardwalk, on the beach. Your medal was in a bag with a granola bar and nutra grain bar. If you wanted your beer, you either had to walk a few blocks and cross a multi-lane highway or get in your car and drive to the finisher party, dehydrated. Can’t speak to the finisher party as we left because we were done.
Race communication was good, however, the information was conflicting and misleading. The website listed different cutoff times than the email, and there were grumblings at the start and confused people. It appears as if there were lots of DNF, and I can only guess it was partially due to lack of hydration, which was not their fault. The expo touted in the emails was nowhere to be found, and we arrived at packet pickup on Saturday at 2 – way too early for any vendor to shut down as it was to end at 6 or 6:30.
Swag – the medal is pretty and appears to have something to do with breast cancer awareness although I am not sure of the connection. Did they donate some proceeds? Did they fundraise? I was expecting a medal/bottle opener hybrid as has been in prior years. The shirt is white, ugh. I get that you are stuck with what is available at this time when planning for quantities, but you can’t tell me the vendor only had white available. That is a personal preference and not race issue. There was also a throwaway string bag, and Publix was kind enough to provide a thermal bag at the finish that held the medal, granola, and nutra grain bars. Definitely won’t be back, and definitely had to apologize to the friend that I brought to the race with tales of the great race it was before.
Race directors sent an email that said “We are aware of the water shortage at a couple of the stations and sincerely apologize for that error.” Well, there were only THREE water stations and one pickle juice station. So, folks, that means there was only ONE water station for 13 miles. What RDs need to do is provide those DNF people with something to makeup for their lack of planning. Such a shame.
Course was tweaked, not for the better
The course was tweaked this year and ended up adding approx .15 in distance. Was on what I thought was PR pace but by mile 11 realized the disconnect. Very MORE
The course was tweaked this year and ended up adding approx .15 in distance. Was on what I thought was PR pace but by mile 11 realized the disconnect. Very disappointed!!
Beautiful Beach Views
This is such a great way to see Myrtle Beach. Watching the sun rise at the ocean, this race gives some fantastic beach views, and finishing on the boardwalk makes … MORE
This is such a great way to see Myrtle Beach. Watching the sun rise at the ocean, this race gives some fantastic beach views, and finishing on the boardwalk makes for a great race. The after party is a lot of fun. In 2021 along with earning a medal they handed out stainless steel water bottles as a gift. I wear my race long sleeve shirt often.
Ran my PR at the 2017 MB Mini Marathon!
This course is flat and fast! And, you run over 5 miles on Ocean Blvd.! Just glance over and there is the water and the finish line is on the … MORE
This course is flat and fast! And, you run over 5 miles on Ocean Blvd.! Just glance over and there is the water and the finish line is on the boardwalk! I participated in this race for several years before joining the staff of NS Promos and am very fortunate to be the Race Director and continue making this race great! It’s a must do!
Not much of an oceanview
This is a flat and fast race. The medal is awesome and the race is well put on. Plenty of refreshments at the end and running the last segment on … MORE
This is a flat and fast race. The medal is awesome and the race is well put on. Plenty of refreshments at the end and running the last segment on the boardwalk is fun. The course itself is a tad boring but the spectators are great. No real ocean views until you round that last corner.
A smart way to race
The Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon boasts of a course that is flat and fast with a mere seven turns. While we didn’t count the turns, we don’t doubt the truth … MORE
The Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon boasts of a course that is flat and fast with a mere seven turns. While we didn’t count the turns, we don’t doubt the truth of that claim. The race began at the Coastal Grand Mall, ensuring that there was plenty of parking for all runners, and that no one had to spend hours searching for a parking spot, In addition, the Hilton Garden Inn is a stone’s throw away. On a cool morning, runners can take advantage of the hotel lobby and indoor restrooms. We stayed at the Hilton for this year’s Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon and enjoyed being able to roll out of bed and onto the course. In previous years we’ve stayed near the finish line (right on the beach) where hotels are plentiful. This allowed us to change out of wet clothes and into dry ones before taking advantage of the Beer Garden. No matter where you stay, the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon will make for an easy race experience. Flat course and plenty of hotel rooms close to the finish line? What else is there? For more information and photos of the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon course, places to stay, places to eat, packet pickup, and more visit https://www.serialrunner.com/half-marathon-race-recaps/myrtle-beach-mini-marathon
Myrtle Beach for the 2nd time
Check out the blog post for this race. Another great race venue. This was my second time doing this race. The first time I did this race in 2011 was … MORE
Check out the blog post for this race. Another great race venue. This was my second time doing this race. The first time I did this race in 2011 was my first half marathon. It was nice to return and see how much I had improved.
My First Half Marathon
Super flat & fast course! Beautiful run along Myrtle Beach. Starts at the Coastal Grand Mall and ends at the old Pavilion. The last half mile is serpentine and then … MORE
Super flat & fast course! Beautiful run along Myrtle Beach. Starts at the Coastal Grand Mall and ends at the old Pavilion. The last half mile is serpentine and then the last tenth is on the boardwalk.