This is how it ends

We were as official as the whistle…we were committed to a cause…we ran for one reason, self satisfaction.

Mission accomplished.

It sure would have helped to have water stations ever few miles, a cop or two blocking off traffic and a few more fans and runners to create the incomparable atmosphere a marathon provides, but we, along with several hundred others made do with what we had.

Were the race conditions ideal? Probably not, but the City of Myrtle Beach’s reason for cancelling the race was out of fear that automobiles and runners wouldn’t be able to safely coexist on the roadways.

With just wet pavement and a few spots of slush, what was considered by many as one of the best organized marathons – for its size – in the country, a definite error in judgment (of weather conditions) was made by cancelling the race. The construction that was guaranteed to be fixed by sunrise this morning was also incomplete, causing backups along Ocean Boulevard for the few hundred runners that braved the “conditions.”

But that didn’t stop us from running.

Last night, after gaining word that the race had been call off Brandon, Tommy and I threw together a plan for the morning – each idea better than the last.

Tommy suggested a case a beer. Brandon said make it two and a case of water. I claimed we needed a stopwatch. We all decided on a 7 a.m. start.

We arrived at the corner of Grissom and 21^st seven minutes to seven with a collection of around 50 people.  Tommy screamed out a countdown and at seven bells, blew the whistle, and we were off.

By mile four I was ready to quit; by six my knees were frozen, and there were times that I thought I was going to have to return home and write about how it was fate that this race was cancelled and how I tried, but didn’t finish. But for three consecutive Februarys we have pushed our bodies to the limits to represent the struggle our family members have gone through. When the tough got goin’, we get tougher.

Fellow runners offering words of encouragement made up for the lack of fans during the first annual Ripke Half Marathon but the support of such a tight knit group made us all feel as if we were a part of something.

MacGyver more like MacRipke.

We strategically parked Tommy’s truck at Market Commons the night before and left a case of water making our own rehydration station. We also packed our own oranges, bananas, crackers, power bars and Gatorade.

Post Race Party

Tommy and I crossed the finish line 1:53:36 after the initial whistle and Brandon rejoined us at Coastal Federal Field after he disappeared down the marathon route (reportedly Brandon ran 13.1 miles in 1:51:00) to pass out our version of participatory medals.

As our bodies began to shake and our teeth chattered we cheered on finishers offering them a “victory beverage.”  

The overall consensus from runners was that the city “wimped out” as one anonymous marathoner put it. One Charlotte-based runner admitted that runners are a tight group and will spread the word quickly of this year’s experience.

Personally, I highly doubt that numbers will be a problem next year; however, it’s hard not to have a sour taste in my mouth right now feeling the direct effects of the cancellation.

Yes we still had a great time, No the city didn’t rain on our parade, Yes, our bodies are sore.

But marathoners sacrificed a lot to be in Myrtle Beach this weekend. I’m not mad or blaming the city for the cancellation, but I’m frustrated that we were unable to be rewarded for our hard work, dedication and commitment to this race and this race’s cause.

--Signing off and heading to the House of Blues...until next year friends!

 

 

 

Comments

[RunningGA]

We were 2 of the fifty that left with you this morning and shared a finish line beverage. Also feel that the City caved to some sort of internal politics, but this race could have happened with a little bit more flexibility or savvy on the part of the officials/city. Thought it was a nice touch that some city/race workers took it upon themselves to bring medals.

[Chris Dettmar]

Coming from out of town and targeting this race for a Boston qualifier was a huge mistake. We did get in a 20 miler, but the training, effort to get to Myrtle Beach and the overall experience should have been taken into consideration before the race was cancelled. You are correct about the negative word getting around. The race will certainly be the laughing stock around our running club. We passed on the Holiday Lakes 50 K being run with a foot of snow on the ground. Try to tell those participants that Myrtle Beach cancelled a race because the ground was a bit damp at the start. Hope they get a legitimate runner as race director next year. This one is too much of a Chicken Little.

[NCRunner]

Count me in as one of those "close knit" runners. The cancellation is already the status on my Facebook page. Entry, travel expenses and lodging are not cheap. My family and friends left a day early so that we would not have to pay for another night's stay. With others hightailing it out of town, I'm sure our hotel lost a few thousand in revenue alone as well as the restaurants and shops that had few thousand less patrons. Unfortunately, they are the victims in this fiasco and can thank their city "leaders" for that.

I can't say that I'll be back. Do you blame me?

[Kentucky Runner]

As a runner from Louisville Kentucky, we have run in all kinds of conditions including snow. I have trained for 6 months with 3 of those in worse weather than here on saturday. I even put screws in my shoes to run on icy roads at home. And I am used to running in the dark and in the snow and dodging cars.

The city needs to plan better for bad weather. Next year there may be sleet which is much worse than snow. Driving here, I saw several snow plows on the interstates and other major roads in SC. I believe the city needs to reserve a plow and salt truck and plan on using it each year. I doesnt take much to run that truck an hour before the start of the race...26 miles at 25 mph. No issues

[Dana Burleson]

Hey Nate- I am one of the runners from Albemarle NC that appreciated you and your 2 friends for the Beverage. I was disappointed the race was canceled, but was very happy when the young man was passing out medals for us that crossed the finish Line" unofficially". I will be back for the 4th year- just wished they would have pushed the time to 9am and let us run. We are runners that is what we do-- rain or shine, sleet or snow. Thanks again for being at the finish line!!!

[Asheboro Runner]

I understand the fact that the race was canceled. The race committe and the city had a decision to make and they made it in the best interest of the runners at the time of the decision. Several of us had a great run on the day of the race and it was great to see all of the support. However I do not feel like medals should have been given out for a canceled race. No race, No Medal......

[Carole Koerner]

I agree with all of these poor folks that the race should have still gone on. I live here, not in the city limits, thank goodness, and it was utterly ridiculous that the marathon and half were cancelled. I was running in the half, and can't figure out why they didn't just postpone it until 9 or 10am. Thank you Mayor Rhodes and our city council for once again running off another group of tourists who bring a lot of money to your community. You people are nothing but a bunch of losers. It's no wonder so many businesses in this area are failing. it is all due to your handy work. I wouldn't blame these people if they didn't come back next year. I feel equally bad that I raised so much money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Team in Training and then had no way to thank the people who so generously donated because you called off the race.

Way to go Myrtle beach......again!!!!

[Brandi]

I was extremely disappointed and even a little angry that the race was canecelled. I felt that all my training and money spent on this trip had been wasted. I completely understand how everyone feels but there is one thing I keep going back to...

If just one person had died because they were hit by a driver who couldn't control their car, would it have been worth it? I was out on the roads at 9am and it was still a little slushy. You cannot control people driving down the road.

You cannot expect the city to be better prepared for something like this either... come on, when was the last time they had to deal with something like this?

Was it the right decision? Who knows. Maybe we could have run it and no one would have gotten hurt and all would be well. But maybe there would have been a tragedy. I think we have all made decisions and then did the "could've, wouldv'e, should've" thing. I don't doubt for one second that it was an agonizing decision to make.

As far as refunds... I don't think we should get any refund. Trust me, I'd love to have the money but we know going into paying the fee that the fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. That the committee would even consider a refund and above and beyond what I would expect. If some restitution is made, I say offer a discount to next years registration fee.

[Greendayer]

Bagged Myrtle Beach this year and ran in Miami. Much more professional and focused on the runners instead of what the local government wants. I like Myrtle Beach, but it's not for runners or racers.