This is typically golf season on the Grand Strand, but along with the golfers, there'll be thousands of runners in town this weekend.

The inaugural running of the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon will be held Sunday, with related events going on all weekend.

The marathon is one more event toward the goal of making Myrtle Beach into a hub for sports tourism and it's helping the city gain a reputation around the country as a runner-friendly town.

It started with the Bi-Lo Marathon, a fixture in Myrtle Beach for 13 years. Other running events have come along over the years, including the Biggest Loser Challenge last month.

And now, it's the Mini Marathon.

The organizer says Myrtle Beach is turning into a runners Mecca.

"You're getting all those places where people can go and run safely, and either with friends or with the dog or whatever the case might be, so it's lending itself, with the wonderful weather, the events like ours coming in, I think it's going to turn a lot of heads and we are going to have more of those events," said organizer Robert Pozo.

One of those signed up to make the 13.1 mile run is a Coastal Carolina University librarian who says running is her passion and Myrtle Beach is the perfect place for it.

"It's got scenic routes, the temperature is ideal in terms of cool running during the winter without it being freezing cold," said runner Casey Schacher. "It's a great place to train so I'm thrilled they're having more events in Myrtle Beach."

For tourism leaders, the benefit of making Myrtle Beach into a runner's paradise is that it puts heads in beds, especially during months when business is slow.

With more than 4,500 runners signed up from 48 states and 9 countries, the Mini Marathon really helps.

"We're filled up and I think there's another 9 hotels that are pretty full," said Marina Inn sales manager Eddie Chaviano. "And they'll be dining and eating and doing all kinds of activities, so it's definitely going to have a huge economic impact."

Pozo says it'll be an estimated $5 million dollar economic impact and he believes it will grow in the future. Pozo plans to make it an annual event, with up to 6,000 runners in future years.

The events begin with the Coastal 5-K run Saturday morning. Click here for more information and a full schedule of events.