Description:

Race Postponed

Huntington Beach State Park is located in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, and it is arguably the most beautiful of the forty-seven state parks. The beautiful coast line and marshes are home to numerous species of birds including pelicans, spoonbills and painted buntings. As a result, the park is a popular birding destination. Located within the park is Atalaya, a National Historic Landmark, which was the home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington.

All runners will begin the event running along the 5K course, leaving from the start/finish area located a few hundred feet from the Atalaya building. This portion of the run will be on paved roads, but otherwise taking you through the canopy of old growth oak trees that are strewn throughout park. You will run along the beautiful causeway along Mullet Pond, a popular spot for birding and photography. The course turns onto the narrow pedestrian path that bisects Mullet and Mallard ponds. If you are lucky maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of an alligator at one of the lookout spots. But, keep running. This 5K course is flat and fast. At the end of the pedestrian path 5K runners will turn left for the finish line.

Rather than turning left at the Atalaya building for the finish line, the 15K runners will head straight for the beach where they will run two miles along one of the prettiest beaches in South Carolina. For this portion of the race, you can expect loose sand entering and exiting the beach but otherwise the sand will be firmly packed for most of this section. At the end of the beach you will turn left along the jetty and head for Drunken Jack Island, where you will pass through a gorgeous field of seagrass with views of the ocean off in the distance. After coming back to the beach for another half mile section, the 15K course will take you onto the Sandpiper Pond nature trail. Here you will enjoy the comforts of the shade from the beautiful old growth oak trees but watch out for their roots and several pockets of loose sand. You will run approximately 1.25 miles on Sandpiper until you reach the paved road that takes you straight to the finish line.

Your race entry fee also includes the park’s $5 entry fee. Any participants that come to the park with you must also pay the $5 entry fee. However, once inside the park everyone will be able to run, roam, and partake in all its beauty.