How do I register for the Myrtle Beach Marathon?

Registration is open to everyone and can be completed online through the race-designated deadline. There is no lottery or qualifying standard required. Note that registration closes one hour before packet pickup ends, and there is no on-site registration on race day.

Is the Myrtle Beach Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston registration. Roughly one in twelve finishers runs a Boston-qualifying time, which reflects how PR-friendly the flat course is.

What is the course like in terms of elevation?

The course is about as flat as a road marathon can be, with only around 110 feet of total gain over 26.2 miles. The entire route sits near sea level, so there are no significant climbs to manage.

What weather should I expect on race day?

Early March in Myrtle Beach typically brings cool late-winter conditions with temperatures in the 50s to low 60s. Light sea breezes are common, but wind can pick up more noticeably around miles 18-20, so factor that into your pacing plan.

What is the time limit for the Myrtle Beach Marathon?

The time limit is 6.5 hours from the start.

How large is the field?

Recent editions have seen roughly 1,100-1,200 finishers. It is a mid-sized field with a local and regional feel.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the Myrtle Beach Marathon course is USATF certified, which means finish times are eligible for official qualifying purposes including Boston registration.

Mar 2027 · est.Myrtle Beach, SCSince 1998

Myrtle Beach Marathon

Myrtle Beach delivers a nearly flat loop course in cool late-winter conditions, making it one of the more honest shots at a PR or a Boston qualifier on the Southeast race calendar.

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MYRTLE BEACH · US

Myrtle Beach

MAR 2027

estimated

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Race Overview

EST. 1998

Myrtle Beach is a low-key, no-drama marathon that actually delivers on a fast course. The loop runs close to the ocean for much of the race, and the terrain is about as flat as a road marathon gets. You will not be grinding over hills or navigating technical turns. The weather in early March is usually cool, which is about the best you can ask for in the Southeast. It feels like a local race with a real shot at a goal time baked in.

The one thing to watch is the wind exposure around miles 18 through 20. That stretch can catch you off guard if you banked too much effort early, so run the first half conservatively. The back half is where you find out if you paced it right. Entry is open registration, so there is no lottery stress or qualifier to chase just to get to the start line. If you are hunting a Boston qualifier or a PR and want a flat course without a lot of noise around it, this one is worth your early March.

Field size

~1.2k

1,167 finishers

BQ rate

9%

Near national average

Time limit

6:30

Standard cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:26:26

Stuart Moran

2012

Women

2:40:11

Kathleen Castles

2011

The Course

110 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑110 ft

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

20 ft

Lowest point

5 ft

Course shape

Loop

Start and finish in one place

This loop course sits almost entirely at sea level, with just over 100 feet of total gain across 26.2 miles. The elevation barely registers, which keeps pacing consistent from start to finish. The real variable is wind: the stretch around miles 18-20 runs exposed to sea breezes that can sharpen noticeably late in the race. That is exactly where fatigue is building, so factor it into your effort early. The surface is road throughout, with no significant turns or climbs to interrupt rhythm. For runners chasing a time goal, the course does its part. The late-race wind is the one thing to plan for.

DIFFICULTYFLATPR-FRIENDLYMODERATE

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Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

42°F

High

62°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

Early March in Myrtle Beach means a cool start, often in the low 40s, that warms into the low 60s by midday. That's a reasonable window for racing, but on a loop course with coastal exposure, the back half can feel warmer than you expect. Dress in layers you're willing to shed. If it's a clear day with little wind, conditions can set you up for a good effort, but don't count on that breeze staying gentle.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration through race-designated deadline. Registration closes one hour before packet pickup ends. Registration must be completed online; no on-site registration on race day.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

RDU

151 mi

from the start

≈ 238 min transferLonger haul

What to expect

Most travelling runners fly into RDU, about 151 miles from the start, a longer haul by rideshare or transit, roughly a 238-minute trip. Stay close to the start in Myrtle Beach, SC so you're not fighting race-morning closures and transit on tired legs. Arrive a day early to clear the expo and bib pickup, and build in buffer for gear-check and corral entry.