New Charitable Race Coming to Long Branch

A new race is coming to Long Branch this summer, with the purpose of raising funds for charity and bring back the popularity of the street mile.

Long Branch will host the first annual Excel Travel Ocean Avenue Mile on Sept. 15. The race will raise money for two charities, Kick Cancer Overboard and The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Registration for the run is currently open, and there will be a kick-off party at on March 15, where members of the community can come and find out more about the event and register. Registration for the race will cost $25.

The race has a cap of 1,000 participants and organizers say they expect to fill all the spots quickly.

The Sneaker Factory of Long Branch, will donate $25 gift certificates to the first 200 registrants at the party at Charley's Ocean Grill. Race committee, sponsors, entertainment, appetizers, and beverages will all be on hand as well.

The flat course, will run along Ocean Avenue in Long Branch, and feature timing by Elite Racing Systems.

Each quarter-mile will be marked with clocks, to provide racers with an accurate reflection of their time.

The race will also feature 10 races within the race; for children, charity, and professional athletes. There will also be entertainment, cheer zones, and sponsor participation throughout the day.

“This is a new and exciting event to come to the area, which presents a chance for us to get in on the ground level,” said Ted Friedli, owner of race sponsor, Excel Travel. “I am convinced that this will be a great success for everybody involved.”

For more information please contact Race Director Aaron Levine at 732-580-6291 or via e-mail at OceanAveMile@gmail.com. Information can also be found on the race’s website at http://oceanavenuemile.com/ or by following on Twitter at @oceanavenuemile.