New Jersey Marathon Has Largest Field in Event's History

The long-awaited New Jersey Marathon is set for tomorrow, May 1, in Long Branch, and the event will see the largest turnout in its 14-year history.

New Jersey Marathon Festival Race Director Art Castellano said there will be over 11,000 participants in this year's race. Just under 2,500 have registered for the full marathon, about 8,000 have registered for the half marathon and about 350 two-man teams have signed up for the relay race.

More than half of the field is comprised of women this year and there are runners from 23 countries, and six continents.  However, 72 percent of racers are from New Jersey.

Castellano said some of the changes to this year's race have caused an increase in attendance over last year's number of racers which was just short of 9,000.

The full marathon will now span nine towns, after previously encompassing a double loop through three towns.

Another change to this year's festival is that it will feature two starting times. The full marathon will begin at 8 a.m. and the half marathon at 8:30 a.m.

Castellano said both of these new features have increased attendance.

The races will still begin at the Long Branch Ocean Promenade, which is just north of Pier Village and the Ocean Place Resort and Spa. Castellano, who was a teacher in Long Branch for 30 years, said despite any changes to the race, it will always begin and end in Long Branch.

"There's no other town that could host the New Jersey Marathon," Castellano said.

After adding Oceanport to the marathon last year, Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Loch Arbour, Deal, Ocean Grove and Bradley Beach will also be a part of this year's race.

Both races will begin at the Promenade and move north, past Seven Presidents Park in Long Branch before heading into Monmouth Beach. The races then turn west into Oceanport before heading back into Long Branch and down major streets such as Joline Avenue, Broadway and Second Avenue.

Once the racers reach Brighton, those participating in the half marathon will head west toward the boardwalk and then north and back to the start/finish line. 

Those participating in the full marathon will make a right onto Ocean Avenue and continue south and around Lake Takanassee. They will then continue through Elberon, Deal, Allenhurst and Loch Arbour before entering Asbury Park where the course will curve around Deal Lake. 

Racers will then head down the boardwalk in Asbury Park and into Ocean Grove and Bradley Beach. The turnaround of the race is about a tenth of a mile into Bradley Beach according to Castellano. Participants will then head north through the same course and head back to the start/finish line.

He explained that the race helps raise funds for 25 local charities through the participants fundraising efforts.

"Well over $1 million is going to charity through our event and municipalities know that," Castellano said.

Castellano added that there also be a special train from NJ Transit which will be only be used by race participants the morning of the race.

"We are trying to encourage people to park near their train stations," Castellano said. 

There will be no parking on several Long Branch streets during the race from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Castellano said the race could not be possible without help from the Long Branch Police including Sgt. Jorge Silverio and Lt. Bob Wiener.

For more information on the New Jersey Marathon Festival or to register visit www.njmarathon.org.

Look for Patch in the parking lot on Madison Avenue, where we will be handing out prizes and information. We hope to see you there!