Marathon events begin Friday

The Myrtle Beach Marathon – and its affiliated races – are on tap this week.

The Ripley’s Aquarium Family Fun Run is the first event at 5:30 p.m. Friday, followed by the PNC 5K, which begins at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, the marathon and half marathon begin at 6:25 p.m. for wheelchair and crankchair athletes and at 6:30 p.m. for all walkers and runners.

Involved in this weekend’s marathon? Join the conversation by tweeting #MBMarathon and follow The Sun News at Twitter.com/TheSunNews.

Celebrate Mardi Gras on the Grand Strand

Mardi Gras is Tuesday, and you’ve got two places to celebrate on the Grand Strand.

Barefoot Landing is host to Dick’s Last Resort Annual Mardi Gras Parade starting at 5 p.m. near Greg Norman’s Australian Grille. The parade walks along the sidewalks, with beads, candy and more to pass out, and ends at Dick’s Last Resort for a party. Call 272-7794 for more information.

The MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet is celebrating Mardi Gras for the third year with its annual Marshi Gras parade. Participants can dress up in a Mardi Gras costume to compete for the $1,500 cash grand prize. The walk starts at 7 p.m. at Bovine’s and is led by Dixieland Jazz. Contest winners will be announced at 9 p.m. at Drunken Jack’s. Call 651-2484 for more information.

Ash Wednesday services held this week

Ash Wednesday is this week. Services are planned as several area churches.

Obama delivers State of the Union Tuesday

President Barack Obama on Tuesday will seek to move beyond the politics of the moment to define his second-term agenda during his State of the Union address to Congress.

The speech is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has been tapped to deliver the Republican response.