MYRTLE BEACH, SC – A looming storm has led to the cancellation or rescheduling of several events in the Myrtle Beach area, significantly affecting participants from across the nation. Among the notable changes is the cancellation of the Special Olympics South Carolina leadership conference, which was scheduled to take place at Embassy Suites this weekend.
The conference, which had been in the works since early summer, was expected to bring together area directors and support staff from across the state for a weekend of planning, relaxation, guest speakers, and good food. Donald Hovis, a unified partner of Special Olympics Horry County, expressed disappointment over the decision to cancel and the impact it would have on the organization’s activities. Hovis noted, “The only thing that really hurts us is maybe not learning some new things that the state might roll out or things announced that we don’t really know.”
Additionally, the anticipated 24-hour run at Market Common has been postponed to February 7-8. This rescheduling has created challenges for some participants, with conflicts arising in their training schedules, particularly for those preparing for the Myrtle Beach Marathon. Local runner James McIlrath, who was looking forward to achieving his personal goal of completing 50 miles, finds himself having to drop out due to the delay. “I have had a goal for a while now to get to 50 miles in my ultra running,” he shared. Despite this setback, McIlrath remains optimistic and plans to support his son, who aims to finish 100 miles in the rescheduled event.
Though these changes are unfortunate, they reflect the commitment of community organizers to prioritize safety while allowing for future events to occur. The rescheduling of the run offers participants a chance to train adequately and aim for their goals in the upcoming months.