Myrtle Beach Elite Invitational Returns to Myrtle Beach Marathon with Olympic Hopes, Bigger Prizes
Organizers and partners are collaborating to incentivize top marathoners to clock Olympic Qualifying Times ahead of LA28
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – In 2026, the Myrtle Beach Marathon debuted a new competitive event within its race weekend: Myrtle Beach Marathon Elite Invitational. Its successful launch brought top talent from around the Southeast and resulted in one of the fastest times ever clocked in the state. The invitational race will return once again at the 2027 edition of the race, and applications are open for elite runners who currently reside in, or have ties to, the Southeast.
Last year’s men’s champion Vladi Zander-Velloso has confirmed his plans to compete in the invitational race. Zander-Velloso shared, “My experience at the Inaugural Myrtle Beach Elite Invitational was an amazing experience from the beginning to the end of the marathon.”
He added, “It was great getting to compete against some of the best marathoners in the Southeast, and I am looking forward to another competitive race in 2027 with amazing crowds, volunteers, and venue in Myrtle Beach.”
As LA28 approaches, organizers and their partners have committed to a larger prize purse and special incentive for runners who earn a time that meets or exceeds the Olympic Qualifying Standard (OTQ). Total prize money has increased to $30,000, including a $20,000 place-based purse and a $10,000 OTQ bonus pool to be split equally between all Olympic Trials Qualifiers.
“The Myrtle Beach Marathon is a signature part of our spring calendar, bringing runners, families and supporters to the area for an exciting race weekend that continues to build momentum,” said Stuart Butler, president of Visit Myrtle Beach. “The inaugural Elite Invitational added a compelling new level of competition in 2026 and helped drive a 33 percent increase in overall registration. The 2027 race has the potential to attract even more top athletes and further elevate the experience for participants and spectators, and we’re excited to continue our support and sponsorship of the Elite Invitational.”
“As the US prepares to welcome the Olympic Games back to our soil, we want to get fans and runners engaged in the excitement,” said Charlie Mercer, CEO of Capstone Event Group, producer of the Myrtle Beach Marathon. “When we combine our fast and flat course with the top running talent in the region, we believe we’ll see Olympic hopes go further for these athletes. It will be a thrill for spectators and our participants to watch these runners leave it all out on the course with these increased stakes.”
Reflecting on last year’s event, inaugural women’s champion Cassidy Heaton said, “The experience far exceeded my expectations. The team did a fabulous job offering support both before race day and on course, and, obviously, the prize money for the top 5 finishers was a huge bonus!”
She continued, “The true ‘elite athlete’ treatment was something I had never experienced so fully before from a race, and the whole weekend is one I will remember forever. As distance running continues to grow, it is incredibly important to have more opportunities like this, especially in the Southeast.”
Participants in the elite field will once again follow the Myrtle Beach Marathon course, which features nine miles of beachfront, scenic residential areas, key city landmarks and wraps up in Pelicans Ballpark.
Eligible states include:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- West Virginia
In addition to a Southeast connection, athletes must also meet the following time criteria in an NCAA or USATF-sanctioned track meet or USATF-sanctioned road race with a certified course since January 1, 2025:
Men:
- Marathon 2:34:59 or faster
- Half Marathon: 1:11:59 or faster
- 10k/10,000m: 30:59 or faster
- 5k/5,000m: 14:59 or faster
Women:
- Marathon: 2:54:59 or faster
- Half Marathon: 1:21:59 or faster
- 10k/10,000m: 35:59 or faster
- 5k/5,000m: 17:29 or faster
Athletes with times near these standards or performances of similar quality at distances not listed above may be considered at the Myrtle Beach Elite Program Coordinator’s discretion. Athletes will be asked to share other personal insights and more about their connection to the region as part of their application.
For more information about the Myrtle Beach Marathon Elite Invitational, visit www.mbmarathon.com/elite-invitational/ and follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT MYRTLE BEACH MARATHON
The Myrtle Beach Marathon is an East Coast destination event that has been delighting runners for 30 years with the perfect blend of performance opportunity and beach vacation experience that only Myrtle Beach can provide. From the iconic SkyWheel and Myrtle Beach Boardwalk along the course to Broadway at the Beach entertainment complex and championship golf courses, the Grand Strand offers an unmatched concentration of attractions that make it America’s premier beach playground. Alongside the open division event, the Myrtle Beach Marathon Elite Invitational boasts a $30,000 prize purse and OTQ incentives, elevating the event with championship-caliber competition that attracts current pros, aspiring athletes and potential future Olympians to compete alongside recreational runners.