My girlfriends and I decided to take our running on the road to attend the divas race in myrtle…read morebeach. The registration and packet pickup process was very organized to our surprise and they had many vendors on site selling cute running accessories. What we didn't find out until getting back to our room was that the manufacturer of the race shirts screwed up the sizing and they were all a size too small. They did offer replacement shirts once we returned home. The race itself was hype with lots of music, tiara's and the like......the course was another story all together, very confusing and no clear markings separating the half marathon from the 5k as the course blended the 2 at certain points which caused lots of confusion. I doubt I would return to the Myrtle Beach series, but perhaps another city next year.

After being bit by the running bug pretty recently and finishing my first half at the Disney…read morePrincess in February, I started hunting for fun, entertainment-forward races, keen on setting a PR. The Divas Half Marathon series had a stop in North Myrtle Beach... which I could drive to, and which I knew would be a flat and fast race. The expo was sort of sad. We were able to park nearby, but we went in what was apparently the exit. And when we wound around to where they were handing out the Myrtle Beach tourist bags, they tried to usher us out, not understanding that we had missed the entrance by going in the exit. Once we got that cleared up, it was quick to pick up our bib in one room and our tech tees in the next. I was disappointed by the small number of vendors, and we were in and out. I registered myself for a Small and my husband for a Medium tee (the registration said they were not providing men's shirts, so I figured I'd get two for myself -- and one of them would be bound to fit). I was amazed to find that the two were identical in size -- I lined them up and there's maybe a quarter-inch breadth difference in the shoulder, but not in the body. They're also cut oddly... so they practically show your midriff in front and then have a tail in the back. Apparently, Divas used a different manufacturer this year -- and the result was not too popular with the ladies! One of the things I liked best about this particular race is that you could stay in a nearby hotel and walk right to the start line. Since there weren't a ton of porta potties at the start (and about ~4,800 women), I was grateful I was able to stay in my hotel room until 30 minutes before the clock started. Divas negotiates discount rates with some partner hotels, however so many of those required a drive to the race. I'd recommend Avista -- affordable and one block away from the starting line, ocean-front, indoor and outdoor hot tub, and large bathtubs with jets. I thought the starting line was set up pretty clearly... there are pace marker signs to the side to help everyone line up, and there are pace captains with pink balloons (although, it was surprising to me that after seeing the 10min/mi pace captain, the only other one ahead appeared to be 7min/mi!). I lined up midway in the 9-10min/mi section. Announcements were made, the anthem was played, and we started off in one mass mob. Not having multiple starts created a little congestion at the get-go. We wove some for about 2 miles (nothing nearly as bad as Disney Princess though). And by mile 3, we were definitely thinned out. I ended up pacing faster than I'd planned, and ended up passing lots of people in the beginning, but gradually caught up to folks falling into a 9min/mi pace, and got settled. Not much spectator support on this, but the scenery wasn't bad (we never saw the beach though!). I especially liked miles 8-11 that took you through some pretty neighborhoods, with mansion-like houses. Thank you especially to the couple who tail-gated with their SUV and played music, moving to two different spots on the course. You put a spring in my step that I needed! Radio stations and DJs provided music at another 3 stops. There was a duo of goofy guys who reappeared with their signs and affro wigs and antics at three spots along the course. But most of the spectators were there for a specific person and not cheering for others. For most of the route, opposing traffic was allowed, but this didn't seem to be a safety issue. And the route never narrowed so much that I thought it was creating any kind of bottleneck. Watch closely for the signs indicating 5K course vs Half Marathon -- I almost missed the turn, and vice versa, saw a couple of 5Kers have to backtrack. Aid stations and water/Gatorade stations were well-spaced and pretty well-manned. Grabbed a tiara at 12.75 (was hugely disappointed to discover it's a dollar-store plastic version and not a nice metal one). Hubby tried to get a boa, but the volunteers were slow, and he didn't want to slow down for them. Leading up to the finish line, there was great support; we rounded the corner, saw the end, and sprinted it out. For a PR at just under 2 hours! As promised, sexy shirtless men crowned you with your medal, we were handed a bottle of water, followed by a rose, followed by a champagne flute. And then you could grab your choice of banana, apple, bagel (jam provided), or oatmeal cookie. The tour announcer/mascot Honey Loquacious was on stage with some great music playing. But no one was dancing. Boo! Overall, this race met expectations. Especially for the price. What I liked most: lots of encouragement and friendly runners; fun costumes and incorporated pink; substantial medals; ease of race access; completely flat course that's not over-crowded; low humidity (at least this time of year!).

Outstanding Well Organized…read moreGreat people to meet like Mrs. Kat T -she goes out of to help anyone and she can recognize old Asian Indian thick acccent touched by all the gestures Lot of music lot of walk and run It was not easy if you are first timer people have been doing 7 or 9 or 10 years All great groups can add the pictures- touched by all the gestures they keep the board for 4 mile mark, 5 mile mark and 6 mile mark Marcy could understand on day 1 on the phone to get me into the race

If you've never done this run, you're missing out. I've participated a few times and it's always a…read moregood time. The expo is cool to check out some local businesses and the freebies are always nice while picking up your race bib and bag of goodies. The run itself is pulled off really well for the size of the run and the amount of participants each year. My only complaint is I wish it was a little more consistent in the corrals with runners versus walkers. Someone may choose to sign up as a runner but decide to walk the whole thing. Walking portions of it doesn't bother me but it seems like there is a huge stretch of people walking. I wish they would choose to go to the walking section if this is the case. I get it that it's a tough run at parts, but it would be nice if people go to the side instead of walking next to a bunch of other walkers. It's hard to weave in and out when you're trying to keep the pace you want. Sometimes you just have to stop because there's no way to get through. At points it's nice to keep going, because once you stop, it takes a bit to get that drive to run at the pace you were, at least for me it did. The festival in Marion Square is a good time to unwind after the 10k. There's a ton of vendors, food, and water/drinks to get you hydrated. Oh and I love that they are now giving out finisher medals. It's nice to have a little trophy of sorts to remember the accomplishment of this run. I hope they keep that up for future runs. I would definitely run it again. All in all it's a great event for the community.

Freaking awesome riding aweosme people awesome camping love it! I absolutely recommend this place…read moreto anyone looking for a fun place to camp and ride where noone will bother you and away from all the bs of huge public parks

Multiple tracks for all levels, southern hospitality and the opportunity to have a beer with a…read morebad-ass.. -Mr Linsey not me! haha

wow wow wow!!! What a blast! they had a Halloween Event at the track, way to go guys! Car show,…read morebike show, bounce houses for the kids (okay, i did some bouncing too, hahaha, sorry kids, when I want to jump, watch out!) halloween costume contest, lots of drag racing, free entry with race car, dammit, my VW didn't qualify, really? So what, best $10 I have spent in a long, long time. Great food vendors, races for money, I think $1500 for one race, $1000 for another, and holy shit! sorry for the shitword, but grudge racing! I've only seen it on TV but apparently they challenge each other for claims of who has the fastest car! Crazy fun! They did one race, they asked ME to hold the flashlight to start the race, yes, i did have a sexy outfit on, come on, it's me after all, i like to be sexy...OMG! so much fun, can't wait for next event, I just need a racer now. The best car there belonged to a WOMAN, Carol I think was her name and I so much want to drive her 'vette, that thing is sick! Please, anyone with a racer, let me know, I want to drive again! Please! I'm def gonna post a pic but i think they have a Facebook page so go there. Cheers, ride on MF!

Florence Motor Speedway was just bought out by racing family from Myrtle Beach. They have a lot of…read morethings to improve upon and I look forward to seeing those changes implemented as business picks up and that cash flow leads to changes. I recognize my own bias because it seems like Florida tracks (whether it's Daytona International Speedway for NASCAR or New Smyrna for late models or Volusia for dirt track racing) have spoiled me. I drove up from FL for the SC 400 to see Dale race. This was by far the biggest crowd this place had ever seen and they oversold, so it was standing room only. I managed to get a spot on the bleachers which are in bad need of replacement and paving in the surrounding area. It was very difficult for people to navigate because the seats are so tightly clumped together that knees are in everyones' backs and if you dropped something or it fell into the abyss beneath the bleachers, there was no room to retrieve it. This place obviously does not see this kind of crowd regularly, but these seats are a pain regardless if it's a full house or not. The concessions need more line points, but I did like that alcohol/snacks and food/drinks were separated. They had 2 food trucks on the premesis for this race and I think they should definitely bring in more. Merch area was good but they seemed to be running behind schedule for setting a lot of stuff up, so cars going through the pedestrian area while trying to look at/buy merch was frustrating for both drivers and patrons. A new addition to this track (inevitably purchased due to new ownership or the influx that Dale brought in) was the stage used for driver intros and awards at the end of the night. It seemed flashy and I hope that future investments will be put towards improvements for the fan experience, but I understand that this stage is a great way to obtain sponsorship money and maybe bring in new race fans. Regarding this race in particular, they should make sure that they don't oversell and figure out parking so that cars don't line for incoming road and overflow into surrounding businesses for 1+ mile around.