Myrtle Beach Marathon officials mulling refunds, options

MYRTLE BEACH -- The board of directors for the Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon met Saturday morning in an attempt to determine how to reimburse or appease the 6,600 runners entered in the marathon and half marathon races that were canceled Saturday due to a snow storm.

“We've had a lot of discussions on how we can take care of the folks but we haven't solidified anything yet,” marathon president and co-race director Shaun Walsh said. “We're looking at other events to see what other events have done. We've spent in excess of half a million dollars on the event already. All of our money is front loaded so we rely on those entry fees to help pay the bills."

Runners entered in the Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon or Dasani Half Marathon paid between $60 and $110 in entry fees.

“We're still looking for a solution that will benefit the runners who weren't able to run and won't bankrupt the marathon." Walsh said. "We're a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We want to pay the bills, help the charities make a dollar and take care of the participants.”

All other marathon-week events, including a two-day runners’ expo Thursday and Friday at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, one-mile Family Fun Run on Friday, 5-kilometer race on Friday, a post-race House of Blues party, and three cycling rides in Conway on Sunday have been held or are expected to be held.

All participants also received a gift bag with apparel and gifts.

Race organizes will likely mull over their options so a decision isn’t expected this weekend.

“It all happened so quickly and whatever we do it's a huge decision," Walsh said. “Everything we've faced in the last few days has been a hell of a dilemma.”