Pastorek claims first marathon victory in return to Myrtle Beach

According to her count, the 2015 MyrtleBeach.com Myrtle Beach Marathon was Allison Pastorek’s 17th 26.2-mile race, and while she’s been plenty competitive over the years she had never won one.

Until Saturday.

Pastorek, 37 of Jonesborough, Tenn., shook off a nagging cramp in her calf muscle to finish strong and win the women’s race in a personal-best time of 2 hours, 59 minutes and 21 seconds.

It was a tight victory as Amanda McEnroe, of Glen Allen, Va., finished second in 2:59:41 while Tammy Putt, of Allegany, N.Y., placed third in 3:01.02.

“It’s great. Especially, it’s a PR and [my] first time breaking three hours,” said Pastorek, who was the runner-up in the women’s marathon here last year. “Great conditions, the weather was perfect.”

It was actually very cold to those who weren’t moving the entire time Saturday morning, but despite temperatures starting out in the 20s before later warming into the 50s the women’s marathon drew 747 entrants and 602 finishers, according to the data and times posted online after the race.

In addition to her 17 marathons, Pastorek said she has also run a 50-kilometer ultramarathon and feels she gets stronger over longer distances.

The sore calf muscle late in the race Saturday made things interesting, though.

“I just hung on. … I just tried to stay strong and get it back mentally,” she said.

It helped hearing the spectators and supporters throughout the course letting her know during the race that she was in the lead.

“It definitely helps, it feels awesome. It makes you run stronger, stay strong mentally,” she said.

Pastorek said she was in the lead halfway through before being passed by another competitor and regaining control around the 23rd mile.

McEnroe, though, said she spent the whole race just trying to keep pace with Pastorek.

“She was in front of me the whole race. I could see her the whole time,” McEnroe said. “She ran amazing today. She helped, I think, pull me under three [hours] today.”

A school teacher by trade, Pastorek said this was her fourth time running the Myrtle Beach event and she’s made it an annual tradition due to the flat course and the other attractions the area has to offer.

Last year, she placed second here in a time of 3:10:17, but she finally achieved that elusive first-place finish this time.

“It’s exciting. Very exciting,” she said.

As for the goal for next year, well, there’s only one way to approach it.

“I don’t know, run faster, I guess,” she said with a big smile. “Another PR.”

This story was originally published February 14, 2015 at 2:33 PM with the headline "Pastorek claims first marathon victory in return to Myrtle Beach."