Record Number Of Runners Expected For OCNJ Half Marathon

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Organizers for the OCNJ Half Marathon are expecting a record turnout for three races on Sunday, Sept. 30, according to city officials. More than 1,650 people have already registered for the event, which includes a 13.1 mile race, a 10-mile non-competitive walk/run and a 5-kilometer race. More than 1,600 people participated last year.

Registration for this year’s event continues through 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28. For complete information and registration, visit www.ocnj.us/race-events.

This year’s race begins at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30. Participants will compete on a course that includes the Ocean City Boardwalk, the Downtown and neighborhoods with ocean views throughout a fast, flat course. Music is played along the course.

The public is encouraged to come out and join Ocean City mascot Martin Z. Mollusk and the high school's Red Raider mascot and cheer for the runners. Volunteer groups man "peppy" water stations and are judged for their themes. Anyone who would like to volunteer their group to participate should contact Lisa Rumer at lrumer@ocnj.us.

The event will include some brief road closings, including the closing of the Ocean City-Longport Bridge from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on race day. Drivers on other streets and boardwalk pedestrians/bicyclists should anticipate delays as the field of runners passes by. Below is a description of the course:

• Start is at 9th street, on the street end off the boardwalk. Close to Atlantic Ave.
• Proceed straight on 9th street and turn right at Asbury Avenue and run north towards Battersea Road.
• Intersection of Asbury Ave. and Battersea, turn right.
• Continue to intersection of Battersea Road and Wesley Ave., turn left onto Gardens Parkway toward Longport Bridge.
• Go over Longport Bridge to turn around at traffic signal. (Longport Bridge will be the only section of the race that will be run on your left side.)
• Return to Longport Bridge and go back over (look at beautiful view of Ocean City at the peak).
• Proceed to New Castle Road and take a left and continue east to Wesley Road.
• At intersection of New Castle and Wesley Road, make a right turn onto Wesley Road.
• Run on Wesley Road; turn left onto E. Atlantic Blvd. as it continues around the bend along the beach.
• Bear left onto Beach Road and run to North Street.
• At North Street turn right and immediately take a left turn onto Corinthian Ave.
• Go straight 2 blocks to St. James Place and turn left towards the Boardwalk. Enter the boardwalk and immediately turn right and go to end of Boardwalk at 23rd Street.
• Exit the boardwalk by taking a right and make the first left onto Wesley Avenue.
• At 29th street and Wesley Avenue turn right and go to Central Avenue, turn left onto Central Avenue and proceed to 36th Street turn around. Head back to…
• Intersection of 29th street and Central Avenue, turn right onto 29th street.
• Turn left at Wesley Ave. and run to 23rd Street.
• At 23rd and Wesley, turn right and continue to the Boardwalk. Immediate left on the boardwalk and go to the finish line at 9th Street and the Boardwalk!

Attached images were provided by Ocean City Public Information Officer Doug Bergen