USA Triathlon Selects Myrtle Beach as Site of 2010 Multisport Festival

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce announces that USA Triathlon has selected Myrtle Beach as the site for the 2010 USA Triathlon National Championship Festival to be held Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. This first national championship held by an Olympic governing body in the Myrtle Beach area is expected to attract between 2,000 and 3,000 athletes and several thousand spectators.

“Hosting this premier sporting event gives us the opportunity to showcase all the incredible assets our community has to offer athletes and their families,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “We welcome USA Triathlon and look forward to a long relationship that potentially includes additional events of this caliber.”

“USA Triathlon is excited to be working with the city of Myrtle Beach and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce,” said Jeff Dyrek, national events director, USA Triathlon. “Myrtle Beach is a great family destination and will not only provide the athletes a great race but also an experience that the whole family will be able to enjoy.”

The multisport festival will consist of three separate races—USAT Long Course Triathlon National Championship, USAT Club National Championship and Myrtle Beach Sprint Triathlon—as well as the Multisport Festival & Expo. The Long Course Triathlon requires all athletes to qualify to compete. The Club and Sprint events are open to any athlete. The course distance requirements are as follows:

Long Course Triathlon–swim: 1.2 miles, bike: 56 miles, run: 13.1 miles
Club–swim: 0.9 mile, bike: 24.8 miles, run: 6.2 miles
Sprint–swim: 500 yards, bike: 13 miles, run: 3.1 miles

The hub of the event will take place at Marina Inn at Grande Dunes. The swim portion will occur in the Intracoastal Waterway with the start and finish at the marina at Grande Dunes. The route for the bicycle segment starts at the marina at Grand Dunes and continues on the southbound lanes of U.S. 17 Bypass to Robert Grissom Parkway. The participants will bicycle on the northbound lanes of S.C. 31 to the S.C. 9 interchange and return the same route to the marina. The run portion will take place on U.S. 17 Bypass between Marina Inn Parkway and 48th Avenue North. The courses are designed to be the safest possible routes for the participants and to have the least impact on local traffic.

Staging such a sporting event requires collaboration of local, state and federal agencies. The S.C. Department of Transportation authorized the closing of a portion of S.C. 31 for the bicycling segment of the competitions. The U.S. Coast Guard and S.C. Department of Natural Resources are closing the Intracoastal Waterway to boat traffic during the swim portion. Horry County and the city of Myrtle Beach are playing key roles in traffic control and emergency planning.

“Capturing this event for our area was really exciting—and it took teamwork,” said Liz Gilland, chair, Horry County Council. “We had to overcome some initial reluctance by SCDOT to close the highway, but we managed to convince them of the importance of the triathlon. I’m confident that this race will throw the door wide open to other events, even up to the Olympic level.”

Celebrate Food, Music and Fun Year-Round in Myrtle Beach

The charm, culture and history of the Myrtle Beach area’s communities are constantly showcased throughout the year by the many unique festivals and events. From food to music and entertainment, the Myrtle Beach area offers travelers diverting and enjoyable festivals throughout the entire year that can infuse vacations with distinctive experiences never to be forgotten.

4th of July Boat Parade (Murrells Inlet)

Each Independence Day, Myrtle Beach locals and guests celebrate in style with the July 4th Boat Parade in Murrells Inlet. Decorated boats sail down the parade route with festival goers watching from equally decorated docks of the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk and picturesque restaurants. The day concludes with a spectacular firework display in the Inlet, and awards for the best boat and dock decorations. For more information call (843) 651-5675 or visit them online.

Aynor Harvest HoeDown

Anyor Harvest HoeDown is an autumn event the whole family can enjoy. The day-long festival showcases over 140 craft booths, entertainment, food, games, plus a parade and a street dance to top it all off! This year’s festival will be September 19, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information, please visit their website.

Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival

The “grand finale” of summer, this Labor Day weekend festival, which draws between 50,000 and 60,000 visitors, features the official barbeque competition of South Carolina, car shows, live entertainment and Kids Zone among other events held at Grand Park across from The Market Common. For more information, call (800) 356-3016 or visit the festivals website.

Blue Crab Festival

Each May, the community of Little River, SC plays host to the annual Blue Crab Festival, drawing in excess of 50,000 people who come out to enjoy a weekend of live music, arts and crafts, beautiful seafaring culture, and of course…sweet and savory blue crab! The 2009 Blue Crab Festival will be held on May 16 and 17, 2009. For more information call (843) 249-1682 or visit The Blue Crab Festival website.

Bluegrass on the Waccamaw

Each May, the quaint community of Conway, SC is host to the Bluegrass on the Waccamaw festival, offering an array of musical acts in Historic Downtown Conway’s Riverfront Park just beneath the Waccamaw River Bridge. First organized in 1997, the festival is presented by community-member Jennings Chestnut, Sr. – owner of the Chestnut Mandolin Shop on Main Street, Conway – bringing local, regional, and national groups together for “World Class Bluegrass” on the grounds of the Old Peanut Warehouse in Conway. For more information, call (843) 248-5399 or visit their website.

Canadian-American Days Festival

Each year in early March, thousands of America’s Canadian neighbors and snowbirds visit from the North and scatter throughout the Grand Strand communities in advance of spring for the Canadian-American Days Festival. The almost two week long festival features events, activities and discounts, including welcome receptions, military band concerts, athletic tournaments and wildlife and history days. For more information, call (800) 356-3016 or visit Canadian-American Days Festival Days website.

Gullah/Geechee Festival (Atlantic Beach)

This August festival celebrates the history and culture of the Gullah/ Geechee heritage- descendants of slaves from the west coast of Africa. Soul food and tasty Southern dishes are served to visitors in Atlantic Beach, while various activities and lectures give a glimpse into the rich culture of the Gullah /Geechee people. For more information call (843) 663-1433.

Loris Bog Off

The community of Loris’ annual Bog Off is a celebration of heritage expressed through a top notch cooking competition to determine the best Chicken bog – a spicy blend of rice, chicken sausage, onion and black pepper served in a “big ‘ol bowl.” In addition to the competition the weekend also includes a parade, arts/crafts, and live entertainment. The 30th annual Loris Bog Off will be celebrated on October 17, 2009. For more information visit the Bog Off online.

Murrells Inlet Annual Oyster Roast

The historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet serves up an afternoon filled with bushels and bushels of sweet local oysters during the community’s annual Oyster roast in November. Oyster fans can enjoy a great all-you-can-eat afternoon of steamed oysters and great offerings from Dead Dog Saloon, Drunken Jack’s, Divine Fish House, Bovine’s, River City Cafe and more alongside live music. For more information call (843) 357-2007 or visit The Murrells Inlet website

Rivertown Jazz and Arts Festival (Conway)

This annual festival is held on the banks of the Waccamaw River in downtown Conway. The all-day event highlights jazz and art favorites and delicious food-while providing guests with a lively downtown scene. The festival is scheduled for May 2, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information visit Conway Mainstreet online.

Shrimp & Jazz Festival

Combining the very best in live jazz music and flavorful locally sourced shrimp, the Shrimp & Jazz Festival in the seafaring community of Little River, SC is a fall afternoon treat held each year in early October. For more information call (843) 249-6604 or visit the festival’s website.

Sun Fun Festival

The first Sun Fun Festival in 1951 was conceived to attract vacationers during the period between the end of the school year and the July 4th holiday. Almost sixty years later the area’s official kick-off to summer is still going strong, drawing upwards of 35,000 attendees each year. The festival is held the first weekend of June at Grand Park across from The Market Common on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Sun Fun features live entertainment, a Kids Zone, food and arts/crafts vendors and much more. For more information, call (800) 356-3016 or visit The Sun Fun Festival online.