Race #512 -- Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon -- Myrtle Beach, SC -- 10/17/21


This has been one of my favorite races, so it's kind of odd that it's the first time I've run it since 2017. Last year (2020) I had almost quit running so I came down for the race but just watched. In 2019 the race was canceled because of a hurricane, and in 2018 I made it as far as the starting line but didn't like the cold and windy weather so I just decided to get back in my car and head for the hotel. That was a bad decision that I don't want to repeat, but I have somewhat of a reputation as a fair-weather runner. I was determined to run the race this year no matter what kind of weather I had to deal with, and it was a relief when the weather turned out to be just right.

Compared to previous years, this year's race was smaller with only 694 runners in the half marathon. In its inaugural year, 2010, there were 2,702 finishers and the size peaked in 2014 with 3,125 runners crossing the finish line. Along with there being fewer runners, there were other telltale signs that the race is dwindling. The expo was tiny in comparison, the after-race party was smaller, the finish line wasn't nearly as impressive as before, and the medals, although still nice, are noticeably smaller than previously. Still, it's a good race and I'm hoping it doesn't just fade away. For me, the final 5 miles of the race down Ocean Boulevard then back up the boardwalk are my favorite race miles of all.

As usual, my goal was to get my heart rate up to 155 and try to stay there, and for the most part, it worked fine. I did take a few extra walk breaks in the final 3 miles but that's pretty much what I usually do anyway. In my training, my longest run is 10 miles each week so the extra 3 miles in a half marathon are never really easy for me. 

My finishing time of 1:49:10 was a good time for me this year at age 69, and that's now 118 half marathons in a row under 2 hours. I'd like to keep the streak going but it'll be less stressful once I'm not worried about finishing in under 2 hours. 

I should probably also mention that over the past month or so I've developed plantar fasciitis in my left foot. It hasn't really affected me while I'm running but is painful after I run and especially at night and in the morning when I get out of bed. As I write this, it's been a few weeks since this race and I haven't run any more races. I'm not sure I'll run another race before Thanksgiving Day, but we'll see. The Mayberry Half Marathon coming up on November 13th might be a possibility if I'm feeling great (not real likely but you never know).

Race Name:  Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon & Coastal 5k

Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Date:  October 17, 2021

Race Rating:  111


Top 10 (Male):


Top 10 (Female):


Top 10 (My Age Group -- 65-69):


Course:


Weather at Start:



Click Here for Race Results


Click Here for FREE Finish Line Photos

Click Here for FREE SkyWheel Photos


My Stats:

  • Time:  1:49:10
  • Pace:  8:20
  • Age Group:  2 of 19 
  • Overall:  72 of 694
  • Average Heart Rate:  153
  • Maximum Heart Rate:  164
  • Age Grade Percentage:  73.21%



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* RACE RATING *

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RACE COURSE 

3 - Chip Timing (Start & Finish Mat): (3 points if yes)

5 - Water Stops: (0)none  (2)normal  (5)extras [Gu, sports drink, etc.]

1 - Course Marking:  (0)bad  (1)good

5 - Course Scenery:  (0-5) 1=bad  and 5=fantastic

1 - Mile Markers: (0)poor or none  (1)normal  (2)with clocks or time called out

2 - Volunteers:  (0)too few  (2)good

8 - Finish line: (0-9)   0=bad  and 9=spectacular!

2 - Certified Course: (0)no  (2) yes

2 - Correct Distance: (0)no  (2)yes

1 - Partly or fully on unpaved roads:  (0)yes  (1)no


REGISTRATION 

2 - Cost:  (0)expensive  (2)reasonable  (5)cheap!

0 - Race Day Registration:  (0)no  (3)yes


RESULTS

2 - Posted online within 24 hours:  (0)no  (2)yes

1 - Easy to find results:  (0)no  (1)yes


AGE GROUPS

2 - 3 deep awards: (2)yes (0 for anything less)

5 - 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)

1 - 14 and under group (1)

1 - 65+ group (1)

1 - 70+ group (1)

2 - Top Overall M/F:  (0)none; (1) first only; (2)top 3 or better

2 - Masters Category(40+): (0)no  (2)yes

3 - Grand Masters Category (50+):  (0)no  (3)yes

0 - Senior Grand Masters Category: (0)no  (5)yes


AWARDS

2 - Overall Winner Awards: (0)none  (2)yes  (5)excellent

2 - Age Group Awards: (0)none  (2)yes  (5)excellent

0 - Door Prizes or Drawing: (0-9)

5 - Finisher Medals for All Finishers: (0)no  (3)yes  (5)really cool medals


POST RACE 

5 - Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)

7 - Venue (Entertainment, Race Setting, etc.): (1-9)

2 - Finisher times posted after race:  (0)no  (2)yes [online]


REST ROOMS 

2 - Porta Potties:  (0)no  (1)limited, long lines  (2)plentiful

0 - Indoor Restrooms: (0)no  (1)limited, long lines  (2)plentiful


T-SHIRTS

2 - T-Shirts: (0)no  (2)yes

5 - Design: (1-5)

3 - Material Quality: (1-3)

0 - Discount for no-shirt option:  (0)no (2)yes

0 - No shirt/No discount for late registration (-3)



PHOTOGRAPHY 

5 - Professional Photography: (0)no  (5)yes

x - Prices: (1)expensive  (3)reasonable  (5)cheap

9 - Free Photographs (newspaper, etc.):  (0)no  (1-10)yes 

The professional-quality photos were free and, for the most part, great photos. There weren't a lot of different photos (a few at the start, a pic of most runners running past the SkyWheel, and a finish line photo), but if you get just one quality photo for free that's a huge perk in my book, and usually if you want to buy one good photo it will cost you around $20-30. I liked my SkyWheel photo (above) and was able to crop it for the photo below. Unfortunately, I was right behind somebody at the finish line so I didn't get a good one there, but most runners got a good photo there as well. 



PARKING 

2 - Close to Start:  (2)yes  (0)no

2 - Close to Finish:  (2)yes  (0)no

2 - Plenty of spaces:  (2)yes  (0)no

2 - Free Parking:  (2)yes  (0)no


OTHER

0 - Shelter from Inclement Weather (needed or not): (0)no  (2)yes

0 - Swag (free socks, water bottles, etc.): (0)no  (2)yes, some  (5)excellent

0 - Part of race series or Grand Prix:  (0)no  (2)yes

2 - Kids Fun Run: (0)no   (2)yes [with 5k on previous day]

x - Miscellaneous not covered above: (-10 to +10)


TOTAL:  111


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