Marathon Runners Return to Myrtle Beach

Get your running shoes on and join thousands of runners participating in the 2014 Myrtle Beach Marathon. The 17th Annual Myrtle Beach Marathon Events take place February 13-15, 2014. The 3-day experience features the MyrtleBeach.com Marathon, DASANI Half Marathon, Neon Night 5K Run, Ripley's Family Fun Run, WPDE Marathon Team Relay, House of Blues Post Race Party, Ripley's Aquarium Post Race Party and the HTC Runner's Expo.

The Runner's Expo will take place from 5 pm until 9 pm on Thursday, February 13th and from 11 am until 9 pm on Friday, February 14 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on 21st Avenue North and Oak Street. The Runner's Expo is open to the public (admission is free). Pick up up your race bibs and runner shirts. Official Myrtle Beach Marathon merchandise will be available for sale. Sponsor and vendor booths will be in the exhibition area.

The MyrtleBeach.com Marathon takes place on Saturday, February 15th with a 6:30 am start time (wheelchair & crankchair participates start at 6:25 am). The marathon begins north of the intersection of 21st Avenue North and Grissom Parkway. The race will finish in the parking lot at TicketReturn.com Field (home of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans). Runners must complete the marathon course in 7 hours or less. Get your map for the Myrtle Beach Marathon course at the Runner's Expo or online at www.mbmarathon.com. Marathon participation is limited to the first 3,000 registrants, so register early.

The Dasani Half Marathon also takes place on Saturday, February 15th with a 6:30 am start time. The half marathon begins north of the intersection of 21st Avenue North and Grissom Parkway. The race will finish in the parking lot at TicketReturn.com Field. Runners must complete the half marathon course in 4 hours or less. Participation in the Dasani Half Marathon is limited to the first 5,000 registrants.

The Neon Night 5K takes place on Friday, February 14th with a 7 pm start time. The Neon Night 5K Run begins on the 29th Avenue North side of Broadway at the Beach (Celebrity Circle outside Ripley's Aquarium) and the finish line is at TicketReturn.com Field. Runners must complete the 5K Run course in 1 hour or less. Participation in the Neon Night 5K Run is limited to the first 1,500 registrants.

Ripley's Family Fun Run is an exciting 1 mile run the entire family can participate in and enjoy together. The Family Fun Run starts on Friday, February 14th at 5:30 pm outside Ripley's Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach. Individual finishing times are not recorded, but you can check your time on the clock at the finish line. On race day, a parent or legal guardian must sign for all participants under 18. Race packets can be picked up at the HTC Runner's Expo on Thursday from 5 pm until 9 pm or Friday from 11 am until around 3 pm. You can also pick up race packets at the starting line beginning at 4:30 pm. The HTC Runner's Expo will be held at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center located at 2101 N Oak Street in downtown Myrtle Beach. Ripley's Family Fun Run helps support Horry County Schools. A Traveling Trophy is awarded each year to the school with the most participants. Participation in the Ripley's Family Fun Run is unlimited.

The House of Blues Post Race Party takes place on Saturday, February 15th at the House of Blues on Highway 17 North in North Myrtle Beach, SC. The party is free to all adult participants registered for any of the Marathon's events and event volunteers (party admission restricted to 21 yrs or older only). Non-participants may purchase tickets for $20 at the Runner's Expo or at the door. Free food and refreshments from 5 pm until 7 pm. Pickup awards and trophies at the party. Race bibs cannot be used for entrance to the House of Blues Post Race Party.

Younger participants will enjoy the Ripley's Junior Post Race Party taking place at Ripley's Aquarium (Broadway at the Beach) from 6 pm until 8 pm on Friday, February 14th. Light refreshments will be served (free). Race bibs may be used in lieu of tickets for entrance to the Ripley's Junior Post Race Party.

For more information, visit www.mbmarathon.com.

The Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel and the Best Western Plus Grand Strand Inn and Suites are host hotels for the Myrtle Beach Marathon. The oceanfront resorts and condos below are conveniently located near Myrtle Beach Marathon events and they also provide great OCEANFRONT accommodations!