If you love Myrtle Beach and you love a good exercise session, then you are in luck! During the weekend of February 16 -18, Myrtle Beach will hold the annual Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon.
The activities all start on Thursday, February 16th where the Spirit Airlines Runner’s Expo will take place at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center from 5:30pm until 9pm. The expo is free and open to the public (parking is $3), and runners are encouraged to pick up race bibs, runner shirts, and visit sponsor and vendor booths in exhibition area during this time. Official marathon merchandise will also be available.
On Friday the 17th, the expo begins again at the convention center at 11am and lasts through 9pm that night. At 5:30pm, families can partake in the 1-mile Ripley’s Family Fun Run that begins and ends outside Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach. This run supports Horry County Schools and a Traveling Trophy goes to the school that has the largest number of participants. Following the family run, the RBC Bank 5k Race begins at 7pm on the 29th Avenue side of Broadway at the Beach. Awards will be presented after the 5k race throughout different age divisions.
Bright and early the next morning the big events begin! At 6:30 on Saturday the 18th the guns will sound to start the Dasani Half Marathon and the Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon. Both races will begin near the corner of Grissom Parkway and 21st Avenue and will end in the parking lot of BB&T Coastal Field. Awards will also be presented after both of these races.
Later Saturday night, The House of Blues at Barefoot Landing will be hosting a post-race party free to all registered participants of any Marathon weekend event and all volunteers. ($20 for guests and non-participants. Tickets will be available at the Expo or at the door. This party is restricted to those ages 21 and over. Free food and refreshments will be available from 5PM until 7PM and entertainment will be provided!
Ripley’s Aquarium will also play host to a post-race party on Friday night after the Family Fun Run and 5k from 6-8pm. Race bibs may be used in lieu of tickets for entrance into the party where free, light refreshments will be served. All ages are welcome to come have fun at Ripleys!
The Myrtle Beach Marathon supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of South Carolina and the Horry County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Since it’s first year, the Myrtle Beach Marathon has assisted these charities in raising almost $3 Million.
For more information on any of these events, please visit www.mbmarathon.com
