WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, Sports2010 half-marathon in the works for Myrtle Beach

2010 half-marathon in the works for Myrtle Beach

By Laura Thomas - bio | email

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - The City of Myrtle Beach is pushing for more sports tourism in the area, and they may have found one more event.

It's a proposed half marathon that could come to the Grand Strand in October 2010.   

Robert Pozo with Continental Event and Sports Management is planning the event and presented the plans to the Myrtle Beach City Council's quarterly workshop Tuesday.

Pozo says the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon would not be a competitor to the Myrtle Beach Marathon, but rather could serve as a training event for runners of the other event in February.    

Pozo also says this event will help the Grand Strand economy.

"Running is recession proof. Running has gone up in the early 70s when we were going through tough times, in the early 90s, and now, once again," explained Pozo.

Roy Edmondson of the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce helps to bring sports events to the area. Edmondson says this half marathon will help the economy in the off season.                                                                    

"It's a great event for the community. It could be a great economic impact, [with] little negative impact to the community as far as road closures go. I think everyone should be pleased that we're bringing more money into the community," said Edmondson.

The Myrtle Beach City Council still has to approve a special events permit, but Councilman Randal Wallace says he thinks the plans will go through.

"This is an exciting prospect," explained Wallace. "I think council, from what I can tell, looked pretty excited about it."

Wallace also says this could be another stepping stone in expanding the city's push for more sports tourism.

"The other marathon we have in February is such a big hit in one of the coldest times of the year," said Wallace. "It's just kind of the tip of the iceburg of what I think sports tourism could bring to the area."

City council is expected to vote on the special events permit on Tuesday, August 25.

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