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Myrtle Beach Marathon

Myrtle Beach, SC
Saturday, March 6, 2027


  4.8 Stars from 8 Reviews

Course Description

The Myrtle Beach Marathon is widely regarded as one of the fastest courses in the Southeast. It is a flat, paved road race with almost no noticeable elevation change, making it a great choice for runners chasing a Boston Marathon qualifying time or a personal best. The course is not difficult, though factors like coastal wind can be challenging.

The loop course begins near the Pelicans Ballpark and winds through the heart of Myrtle Beach. The terrain is entirely asphalt, utilizing wide city thoroughfares and residential avenues. Much of the middle of the race takes place along Ocean Boulevard, providing a long, straight stretch parallel to the Atlantic. There are no significant bridges or hills, though you will encounter several 90-degree turns as the route runs through the Market Common and various residential neighborhoods.

A few specific sections require tactical attention:

Ocean Boulevard: This multi-mile straightaway is highly exposed to the beach. Depending on the wind direction, you may face a sustained headwind or enjoy a significant tailwind.

The Market Common: This section features more frequent turns than the beachfront stretch. Staying on your tangents here is essential to avoid adding extra distance to your race.

Grissom Parkway: The final miles on the parkway are flat and fast, leading directly back toward the finish line at the stadium.

Myrtle Beach is ideal for runners who want to lock into a specific goal pace and hold it for 26.2 miles without hills getting in the way. PR attempts usually succeed here for those who can manage the mental grind of the long, flat straightaways and stay disciplined if the coastal winds pick up in the second half.


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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: Saturday, March 6, 2027
2026: Saturday, March 7, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Very Flat
Type: Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: No

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 52°F (11°C)
Average High: 62°F (16°C)
Average Low: 42° F (5°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.42
Course Score: 99.42

Race Size

2026: 1,674 Finishers
2025: 1,167 Finishers
2024: 1,271 Finishers
2023: 1,015 Finishers
2022: 989 Finishers
2021: 956 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: 6.1%
2025: 8.7%
2024: 10.2%
2023: 8.1%
2022: 12.3%
2021: 13.8%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 17 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 62°F  (17°C)
Low: 47°F  (8°C)

Race Start Conditions

50°F  (10°C)
Humidity: 71%

Clear
WSW 8 mph

PR Score

98.74

Course Score

99.54






How does the Myrtle Beach Marathon Rank?

The Myrtle Beach Marathon was the 75th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 67th largest in 2024.

This year 6.1% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 8.7% of runners qualified for Boston in 2025.

This gives the Myrtle Beach Marathon the 173rd highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 87th highest percentage so far in 2026.

Its Course Score of 99.42 ranks it as the 129th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest course in South Carolina.

The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Myrtle Beach Marathon a PR Score of 99.42. This PR Score ranks it as the 90th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest in South Carolina.

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 41 feet (12m)
Min Elevation: 5 feet (1m)

Elevation Gain: 283 feet (86m)
Elevation Loss: 280 feet (85m)


Myrtle

Course updated 02/27/2206




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Race Reviews


4.8
Based on 8 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Flat, fast, PR course if you can handle the heat

Full Review:

The course was exactly what I was looking for. Flat, fast, well marked, enough competitors that you never feel too alone. Well supported with aid stations and volunteers. However at 60 deg, it was a bit warm for me. I hear this was unseasonably warm, but has occurred a few times for this race. Cloud cover and slight breeze helped, but I also hear some years the wind is pretty strong. There was an overlapping section where the 5k shared the course with the marathon and half marathon which was unacceptable. I had to weave between hundreds of 5k walkers who were not staying to the right and taking up the entire width of the course. Hopefully they fix this next year.

The finish festival had great amenities and atmosphere, but the setup was really confusing. I've done 40 or so races and never had such a hard time finding food and drink. It was all there, but navigating the different areas to find everything was a pain.

Long sleeve shirts are a cool color and design, but the fit is awful. Baggy and loose doesn't seem like a shirt for runners.

Overall really enjoyed the race though!

Race Tips:

Don't solely rely on pacers (as for any race). The 3 hour pacer for full didn't show up. There were 2 1:30 half pacers. One did well and the other went out way to fast and ended up walking by mile 8. Parking and starting like logistics including bathrooms are really easy.
Reviewed by Tim S. About 2019

Well organized, flat course

Full Review:

This is a flat, fast(it) course, parking is easy, volunteers are helpful and supportive. The police did a great job of making the course safe. Start time is perfect at 7am. The packet pickup is organized, but space is tight. Overall, a well run race that is worth the effort to participate in.

Race Tips:

Even pacing will work well here - no hills to speak of . Be prepared for possible head wind around miles 18-20. It can also be a little lonely after the half marathoners break off and crowd support is thin. Well marked course (loved giant mile markers) aid/water stations every 2 miles were helpful.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Myrtle Beach has an abundance of hotels, so that was easy. Parking day of is very simple and plentiful.
Reviewed by SB About 2019

Tim I's review of 2019 MB Marathon

Full Review:

Well organized, flat course, well marked with plenty of aid stations. Warmer and more humid than I would have preferred as I am a predominantly a cold weather runner, but I understand this year was an anomaly in that regard and obviously out of the organizers control. I anticipated large crowds and interesting scenery being at the beach, but to be honest, after the first half or so, things were rather sparse on both accounts. Overall a good experience that probably would have been considerably better had the temperature been 10 or 15 degrees cooler. Pre-race expo was good but cramped and could have used a space double the size.

Race Tips:

Not much in the way of strategy as the course if basically a long flat loop with a few turn arounds here and there. Obviously, should you choose to chase a pacer, ask up front what their strategy is. No reason in my opinion for a pacer to begin faster than pace in the first 3 miles in order to "bank" time, but that's exactly what mine did. Fortunately I checked my watch after the first mile and was able to throttle myself back and re-establish a reasonable groove.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

I stayed a mile away at a host hotel which was nice as I was able to walk back to the hotel after the race, something that helped initiate my recovery process. Rooms were plentiful this time of year and rates good in the off season.
Reviewed by Tim About 2019

Full Review:

Reviewed by cf About 2017

Loved it!

Full Review:

This was my 1st marathon and my only one so far, but I'm having trouble finding one (w/out traveling too far) that I think will compare. It was definitely not a boring course, plenty of spectators, and flat, flat, flat. Highly recommend!
Reviewed by cln About 2017

Full Review:

This is my favorite of the 4 marathon courses I have run so far (Myrtle, Charleston, Richmond, Raleigh). The course takes you through the entire (south) myrtle water front. Flat, cool and fast! This course doesn't lake in anything from Myrtle Beach highlights to water stops. The don't have a huge expo but it is a very good size. Technical shirt, blanket and flip-flop medal awaits!

Race Tips:

This is a PR type of course. It is flat and fast. The biggest issue is that many go out too fast since the half shares the course until mile 12. Be careful to stay on pace or you will struggle once you hit the hardest part of the course from 16 - 22. There really isn't any hills to speak of but this is where you will hit some grades and most likely a head wind (19-20).

Travel/Logistics Tips:

There is an endless amount of hotel space. Shop around and I am sure you will find a reasonable rate. It is very easy to get to the start/finish area off of 17 bypass (Broadway at the Beach) so you can stay anywhere. If you stay close to the beach you can even take a shuttle!
Reviewed by jmc About 2016

Full Review:

Fun race. A little windy when wind blows from the north east
Reviewed by Mh About 2016

Flat marathon, but can get windy

Full Review:

I thought it was a pretty well run marathon. Course is a bit boring, but very, very flat. Start time is good though - 630am. The half marathon starts at the same time which makes it crowded.

Race Tips:

The race is really flat. Some times it got windy, but I was with a pace group and just tucked behind some people to help break the wind.
Reviewed by Anonymous About 2011