Over 2,000 expected for USATF meets in Myrtle Beach

The USATF state association and City of Myrtle Beach are the hosts of world trials and U.S.A. Youth Championships that starts Tuesday at Doug Shaw Stadium. 

The two meets are expected to bring over 2,000 athletes and 6,000 family members to Myrtle Beach, Assistant City Manager John Pedersen told scrunners.com. 

"Many of the athletes attending are from other areas, and most have probably never been to South Carolina, let alone Myrtle Beach," said Pedersen. "This is a great opportunity to put both the state and the community on USATF’s map, and that’s what we intend to do."

The youth meet has recommended guidelines, but are not standards, according to Pedersen.  View the guidelines by clicking on this link.

Organizations involved in this week's meet include a local organizing committee composed of USATF state association representatives, Myrtle Beach Track and Field club, Coastal Carolina University, the convention and visitor's bureau and the city. 

"There's no way to estimate the amount of time spent on this (meet). It's been hundreds of hours," said Pedersen.

Myrtle Beach is also the host city for 2011 USATF Junior Olympics Cross Country Nationals.    
 

Notes from Pedersen

Parking information

Most will be able to park at Doug Shaw Stadium, which is at the corner of 33rd Avenue North and Oak Street in Myrtle Beach.  

Do you have a final number of entries? 

Not quite as walk-ups are permitted.  We believe that the final numbers will be slightly in excess of 2,000.  

Where are teams coming from? 

We don’t have that information yet, but we have observed a number of teams from the west coast and from Texas will be here.

Do you have any logistics challenges? 

Any big event has logistical challenges and this was no exception.  I believe that we have worked through most of these challenges however.  I am expecting a great meet. 

What are some things those participating in the meet doing in Myrtle Beach after the event?

We have encouraged them to do the same things as all of our visitors – enjoy the beach, our beautiful weather, the restaurants, and the attractions, in short to combine a great meet with a wonderful beach vacation.  

What kind of feedback have you heard about the event? 

Only that people are really looking forward to it.  

scrunners.com will be onsite during the meet.