More than 1,700 runners competed in the combined events of the OCNJ Half Marathon on Sunday.
The field shattered participation records from any of the previous five years of the event.
The half marathon included 1,306 finishers. A 10-mile non-competitive walk/run had another 109, and 332 competed in a 5-kilometer run.
The event has grown in popularity each year with race organizers creating a festive atmosphere that includes music at various points on the route, community groups manning water stops and even Santa Claus high-fiving runners at the midway point. The route includes sweeping views of the ocean and bay.
But this year, runners expecting an easy flat race got a taste of Ocean City running — with a steady northeast wind of 20 to 30 mph providing a special challenge, particularly in the last three miles of the half marathon.
Runners got pushed by a strong tailwind for about 4.5 miles along the boardwalk and beach blocks, before making a final turn and retracing the final three miles into a stiff headwind.
“It was the worst thing I’ve ever run in,” said Stephen Hallman, 27, of Langhorne, Pa.
But Hallman still managed to win the race by more than four minutes.
It was just Hallman’s second half-marathon — the first he raced about three weeks ago. He said he’s training for the Philadelphia Marathon in November.
Hallman ran for Neshaminy High School, but he was injured and didn’t run for another eight years until he picked it up again a year and a half ago.
“Overall, it was a great race,” Hallman said of the event.
He completed the 13.1-mile race in 1:13.37, averaging 5:38 per mile.
Megan D’Arcangelo, 34, was the top female finisher in 1:24.34.
Tony Lawson, 34, won the 5-kilometer run in 19:06 with 12-year-old Emma Zwall not far behind in 20:21 as the top female.
Chelsea Nehila, 25, was the top finisher in the 10-mile race.
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