Every winter for the past 40+ years the City of North Myrtle Beach has hosted the Winter 5K Run. I recently ran in the 43rd Annual Edition of this race, which was very professionally done from pre-race signup through the 5k race, awards ceremony and finisher medals.

If you are looking for a Winter destination race to get a PR, this is a great possibility, with a flat layout and very few 90 degree turns, all on paved streets. The course is USATF Certified and chip-timed. The minimum elevation is 4 ft and the maximum elevation is 39 ft and the associated elevation graphic via my Garmin 45 watch is enclosed.

A “local” race, you will not see the level of competition that you would find in a “regional” race but with over 500 finishers in 2026 you will have plenty of racers in each age group. A quick review of the race results showed entrants from 10 states although 90%+ were from SC and NC.

The race is promoted by the city as “the longest continuous road race in the entire region” and it is produced by Coastal Race Productions at https://coastalraceproductions.com/. 

 The course starts and ends at Main Street and North Ocean Boulevard and a graphic depicting the course and mileage markers is included. 

There are more than enough Porta Potties at the race start, along with water stations and extremely good course signage, volunteers and police on the route. It is very safe in my opinion with adequate free parking available.

The after party is well done with water and bananas available and there are numerous restaurants very close by if you want brunch after the race. 

I can give this event a solid “5”! The “finisher medals” awarded at the end of the race are extraordinary and so is the awards ceremony, which included actual trophies for the Top 3 in every age group category (every 5 years).