Officials urge drivers to be patient as 7,000 runners hit streets for Myrtle Beach Marathon
Myrtle Beach law enforcement officials urge those trying to move around the city on Saturday morning to be patient as more than 7,000 runners hit the streets for the MyrtleBeach.com Myrtle Beach Marathon.
“We encourage motorists to allow themselves extra time,” police spokesman Lt. Joey Crosby said. “Be aware of the runners on the roadway. And please be patient.”
Due to construction on Ocean Boulevard, the road will be closed from First Avenue North to 10th Avenue North.
“Runners have one lane and construction is being done in the other lane, so we’ll have to close Ocean Boulevard to all vehicle traffic,” Crosby said.
The race begins at 6:30 a.m. Saturday at Pelicans Ballpark and will take runners through or around Broadway at the Beach, Grissom Parkway, The Market Common and the north and south ends of Ocean Boulevard.
Northbound traffic will not be allowed on Ocean Boulevard beginning at 6:30 a.m. until about noon.
“As the race begins there will be no southbound traffic allowed on Kings Highway,” Crosby said. “We’ll slowly let folks go behind the cone truck [that picks up traffic cones behind the runners]. And we’ll stop traffic at Harrelson and divert traffic up Harrelson until the last runner is off of the [former Myrtle Beach] Air Force Base.”
Crosby urged drivers to be cautious around the intersections of 21st Avenue North with Grissom Parkway and Grande Dunes Boulevard with Kings Highway.
Crosby said there will be no parking allowed on Ocean Boulevard starting at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Hotel guests have been asked to park on the west side of Ocean Boulevard overnight Friday to avoid being stuck for periods of time as groups of runners pass by.
Cars also won’t be allowed to park on Johnson Avenue, Hackler Street, and Howard Avenue between Hackler and Nevers Street.
City officials urge drivers to use U.S. 17 Bypass to avoid marathon activities.
This story was originally published February 11, 2015 at 4:31 PM with the headline "Officials urge drivers to be patient as 7,000 runners hit streets for Myrtle Beach Marathon."