The sixth annual Ocean City Half Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 27, and race directors are hoping for the biggest turnout of runners and spectators ever.
The unique race includes plenty of oceanfront views but also a tour of Ocean City’s neighborhoods. Community groups man the water stations and compete for the most inspirational themes for runners. Everybody encourages spectators to come out to support the participants.
Here's where and when to find the action.
EVENTS
A half marathon (13.1 miles), a 10-mile non-competitive walk/run, and a 5-kilometer race
TIMES
The half-marathon and 10-miler start at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 26. The 5-kilometer race starts at 8:35 a.m.
REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION
www.OCNJ.US/RACE-EVENTS
COURSE MAP FOR RUNNERS AND SPECTATORS
The course map for the 13.1 mile half-marathon route.
Half Marathon: Start is at 9th street on the street end off the boardwalk. Proceed straight on 9th street, 1 mile out Rt. 52 (fishing pier entrance/ turnaround). Turn back around and make left on Bay Avenue. Take right on Battersea Rd. Intersection of Battersea and Bay. Left onto Gardens Parkway (Wesley). Right onto East Atlantic Blvd. Follow the beach blocks then run the length of the Ocean City Boardwalk. Then follow beach blocks to turnaround at 37th Street. Retrace route to boardwalk and finish at the Ocean City Music Pier.
10-Miler: The race follows the same course as the Half Marathon, except with a turnaround just off the 23rd Street boardwalk ramp.
5K: Start is five minutes after the Half Marathon start. It begins at Ninth and the boardwalk. 1.5 miles to 23rd & the boardwalk to turn arund and has the same common finish line.
LIVE STREAM OF THE RACE START AND FINISH
The first 5K finishers could be crossing the line shortly after 8:50 a.m.
WEATHER
The forecast calls for cloudy but dry skies in the morning with a high of 73 degrees. Runners, however, will have to contend with a northeast wind of 20 to 30 mph that will make the final three miles of the half marathon a challenge.
ROAD CLOSING
The Route 52 causeway (outbound to Somers Point) will be closed to vehicle traffic between 8:30 a.m and 9:30 a.m. to accommodate the runners.
