For the first time in its fourteen years, the Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon is expecting a decline in runners.

7,800 runners have registered so far this year. But this time last year, 9,200 pre-registered. Organizers canceled the event last February because of snow, leaving some runners out in the cold.

The cancellation concerned organizers that some runners would not return for this year's event, despite some special incentives that were offered.

However, marathon co-director Shaun Walsh says other elements added to the decline. "There weren't many events in the southeast that were catering to the marathon business, but now you get this proliferation of other events that now the running consumer has so many other choices."

One of those other choices is a marathon set for January 15th in Charleston. He says that attracted runners that would normally sign up for the Myrtle Beach marathon, set for February 16th.