Running for Life: Roscoe Griffin’s Inspiring Story at Kingston Resorts in Myrtle Beach

Roscoe Griffin, communications site manager at Kingston Resorts in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is not your average 75-year-old. Since surviving a heart attack in 2003, Griffin has run enough miles to circle the Earth, proving that consistency and movement can truly be life-changing.

A dedicated runner, Griffin boasts an impressive list of accomplishments, including competing in the Boston Marathon three times. Today, the Charleston native runs between 15 and 30 miles each week, often weaving his miles through the walkable grounds and oceanfront paths at Kingston Resorts, where the coastal setting makes staying active feel natural.

“If it weren’t for running, I wouldn’t be alive today,” Griffin says.

From Heartbreak to Heart Health

Griffin started running at age 33 after his father suffered a fatal heart attack at just 39 years old.

“I had two small children, and I was worried I wouldn’t live long enough to see them grow up,” Griffin said.

In 1983, during a routine doctor’s visit, Griffin was asked what he was doing to stay active. That simple question sparked a lifelong commitment—one that required no special equipment, no memberships, and no excuses.

“I chose running because if I didn’t do it, I had nobody to blame but myself,” he said.

A Runner’s Resilience, One Mile at a Time

Twenty years later, Griffin suffered a heart attack while running a 10-kilometer race in Atlanta. He finished the race before heading to the hospital, where doctors performed open-heart surgery and six bypasses.

Despite additional heart complications and the eventual implantation of a defibrillator, Griffin never stopped running.

“If I hadn’t started when I did, I wouldn’t have survived all of that,” he said. “Running saved my life.”

Running as Part of Everyday Life at Kingston Resorts

These days, Griffin’s runs are less about distance and more about consistency. While he may not run a full 5K every day, he still logs miles between Embassy Suites and Hilton Myrtle Beach, or by looping through the condos and villas throughout Kingston Resorts.

When the weather doesn’t cooperate, Griffin shifts indoors to 78Fitness, the on-site fitness center, where treadmills and cardio equipment help him stay on track. After a run, he cools down, hydrates, and occasionally stops by Wet Whistle for a glass of water—taking time to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Running Around the World—and Still Going

Following his recovery, Griffin set an extraordinary goal: running the equivalent of the Earth’s circumference—24,901 miles.

“When I reached about 15,000 miles, I realized just how far I’d come,” he said. “That’s when I decided to go all the way around the world.”

The walkable design, oceanfront access, and wellness-focused amenities at Kingston Resorts have supported that journey, making it easier to maintain an active lifestyle year after year.

Inspiring an Active Lifestyle at Kingston Resorts in Myrtle Beach

Now a grandfather of four, Griffin is a longtime member—and former president—of the Grand Strand Running Club. He encourages anyone visiting Myrtle Beach, SC to embrace movement in whatever form works for them.

“It’s not easy, but it’s doable,” Griffin said. “All you have to do is put one foot in front of the other.”

At Kingston Resorts, that philosophy feels right at home—where wellness, outdoor recreation, and everyday moments come together to support healthy living at any age.