New Jersey Marathon Hits The Jersey Shore May 6

March 1, 2012 - PRLog -- For thousands of avid runners, walkers, beginners and everyone in between, the New Jersey Marathon Festival at the Shore is one of the highlights of Spring.  With a full marathon, half-marathon, half-marathon relay, three-mile fun run/walk, kids race, Kids and Family Events, plus world-class courses designed for speed, great area restaurants and attractions, and amazing oceanfront scenery, May 4-6 are circled on calendars all over the Garden State and beyond.

The centerpiece of the weekend is the New Jersey Marathon on Sunday, May 6, a full 26.2-mile race which begins at Monmouth Park in Oceanport and meanders through eight beautiful New Jersey shore towns, including Monmouth Beach, Deal, Allenhurst, Lock Aurbor, Asbury Park and Ocean Grove before reaching the finish line on the Long Branch Promenade (north of Pier Village and the Ocean Place Resort & Spa).  The USAT&F certified Full Marathon will start at 8 a.m., and the first corral of the Half Marathon and Half Marathon Relay is scheduled to start at 6:50 a.m.

Registration for all events, course views, information about volunteering and sponsorship and details of the entire weekend of activities and more are available at the race Website at www.NJMarathon.org.

Beginning runners, walkers and athletes with disabilities are all invited to participate.  New Jersey Marathon also conducts a series of training runs and related events to help participants of all levels to prepare.

“Last year we had more than 11,000 runners and wheelchair athletes of all ages and we're tracking even higher this year,” said Joe Gigas, race director.  “The New Jersey Marathon's continuous single loop, flat, fast course is a big hit with runners, and the scenery can't be beat.  Thousands will enjoy the many family activities, which include a free Expo on Friday and Saturday, and thousands more will line the streets to cheer on all the participants on Sunday.  It's a whole weekend of fun and fitness for everyone.”

Oz Pearlman, a 28 year old professional magician from Manhattan, and Bronawyn O’Leary, 35, a teacher from Cliffwood Beach, N.J., set personal bests in winning the men’s and women’s divisions of the 15th New Jersey Marathon last year.  Pearlman ran a course record of 2:28.19 in winning the race for the second time (he won in 2008 as well), while O’Leary ran 3:02.22 to place first for the first time in her racing career.  

The New Jersey Marathon, in partnership with Move For Hunger, will be conducting a food drive during the Expo. There will be collection bins, and staff, available to collect your generous donations, and distribute them to the local food banks.  Move For Hunger is a non-profit organization that works with moving companies across the country to support the efforts of local food banks. Your donation will likely directly impact families right in your home town.

The New Jersey Marathon is administered by US Road Sports & Entertainment Group, which conducts road races nationwide, including the 13.1 Marathon® Series.

Major sponsors of the New Jersey Marathon include Barnabus Health, Investors Bank and United Healthcare.

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About US Road Sports & Entertainment Group
US Road Sports & Entertainment Group is a health and wellness company dedicated to the production of world-class endurance events. The mission of US Road Sports is to offer an unparalleled participant sports experience that showcases host communities and endures as a deeply valued local asset through events that are a part of the city’s culture, identity and brand. For each participant, US Road Sports strives to offer events that allow participants of all skill levels the opportunity to improve their physical and mental health and accomplish life-altering goals while having fun. US Road Sports provides sponsors and municipalities highly effective exposure to help maximize their presence and message in the community.