The Diva’s Half Marathon and 5-K Series returned to North Myrtle Beach for the fourth year in a row Sunday.

Thousands were expected to participate in the race, that began at 7 a.m.

According to Continental Sports Management President Robert Pozo, around 5,000 women signed up to run.

“Four years ago we were hoping for 4,000 women to come to this wonderful city, we were amazed when 4200 showed up and it’s been up and up every year since,” said Pozo.

City Spokesperson Pat Dowling said each runner brings an average of 3 people to the event, so the city is expecting 15,000 people to be in town.

Dowling said Friday-Sunday will have a $4.6 million direct impact and a $6.9 million indirect impact on the local economy.

Pozo said women from all 50 states and four different countries signed up to participate, which is a testament to the location.

“This is a beautiful town, beautiful weather,” he said.”Everybody that comes out planned a vacation.”

The Diva’s Half Marathon and 5-K Series stops in 10 different cities across the country, but Pozo said North Myrtle Beach is their second largest race. He plans to hold next year’s event in May, so it doesn’t conflict with any other races.

The race starts on Ocean Boulevard and finishes on Main Street. The event will adhere to rolling road closure, which means the traffic will be affected for a short period before the first runner enters a section and the last runner leaves.

The following roads will be affected by the half marathon route:

Ocean Boulevard North from 20th Avenue North to 5th Avenue North Southbound lane closest to curb will be closed from 7:00am until 11:00am. Southbound thru traffic will be diverted to US 17 at 8th Avenue North from 6:30am to 7:45am. Starting at 7:45am southbound thru traffic will be able to continue south using the center lane. No right turns will be allowed from 7:00am to 11:00am in this section.

Ocean Boulevard North from 5th Avenue North to Main Street Southbound lane closest to curb will be closed from 7:00am until 10:40am. Southbound thru traffic will diverted to US 17 at 8th Avenue North from 6:30am to 7:45am. Starting at 7:45am southbound thru traffic will be able to continue south using the center lane. No right turns will be allowed from 7:00am to 11:00am in this section.

Ocean Boulevard South from Main Street to 17th Avenue South. All southbound lanes will be closed from 6:45am through 7:45am

Ocean Boulevard South from 17th Avenue South to 25th Avenue South. All southbound lanes will be closed from 6:45am through 7:55am
 
Hillside Drive North from 16th Avenue North to 5th Avenue North. Northbound lanes of Hillside Drive N will be closed from 7:40am to 9:30am.

Hillside Drive North from 5th Avenue North to Main Street. Northbound lanes of Hillside Drive N will be closed from 7:05am to 9:20am.

Hillside Drive South from Main Street to 5th Avenue South. All lanes will be closed from 7:00am to 8:50am (All local traffic is urged to use EXTREME caution and yield to runners on road)

Hillside Drive South from 5th Avenue South to 25th Avenue South. Northbound lane will be closed from 7:20am to 8:35am (All local traffic is urged to use EXTREME caution and yield to runners on road)

All east/westbound streets between 16th Avenue North and Main Street and between Ocean Boulevard and Hillside Drive South will have intermittent traffic crossings at Hillside Drive and Ocean Boulevard from 7:00am to 11:00am. Expect delays if traveling to or from that quadrant.

All east/westbound streets between Main Street and 25th Avenue South and between Ocean Boulevard and Hillside Drive South will have intermittent traffic crossings at Hillside Drive and Ocean Boulvard from 7:00am to 8:50am. Expect delays if traveling to or from that quadrant.

20th Avenue North from Surf Pointe Drive to Spring Street. Eastbound lanes of 20th Ave North will be closed from 8:15am to 10:30am. Local residents should exit homes onto the westbound lane on 20th Ave N. Residents on the south side of 20th Ave please use extreme caution when exiting your home making a left turn to get on the westbound lane and please wait for a gap between runners.

US 17 (North Kings Highway) from 11th Avenue North to Starwatch Drive. Northbound lane closest to the curb will be closed from 7:00am to 10:10am
 
Starwatch Drive/Lake Egret/East Island/Surf Watch/Surf Estates/Sand Court/Surf Pointe Drive. All lanes on the above named roads will be closed from 8:00am to 10:20m. Local residents need to use extreme caution while exiting their homes and use neighborhood exit on US 17.

16th Ave North/Prince William Road/Princess Ann Drive. Westbound lane will be closed from 7:50am to 9:40am. Local residents should exit on 11th Ave, south to Hillside, then east to 8th Ave N toward US17 to exit the area.

11th Avenue North from Princess Ann Drive to US 17 Westbound lane will be closed from 8:00am to 10:00. Local residents should use the eastbound lane to Hillside then south on Hillside to 8th Ave N towards US17 to exit the area.

2nd Avenue North from Ye Olde Kings Highway to Hillside Drive North All eastbound lanes will be closed from 7:05am to 9:10am. Local residents on the south side of 2nd Ave N should exit their homes by making a left onto westbound 2nd Ave N and they should wait for gaps in between runners before crossing 2nd Ave N.

Main Street from Hillside Drive to Ye Olde Kings Highway. All westbound lanes will be closed from 7:00am to 9:00am

Edge Drive South (between 20th Avenue South and 16th Avenue South) North bound lane will be closed from 7:25am going until 8:20am

25th Avenue South (from Ocean Boulevard to Hillside Drive South) All Lanes will be closed from 7:10am going until 8:05am