ATLANTIC CITY – Thousands of runners will take to the Boardwalk and streets of Atlantic City Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20-21 for the AmeriHealth New Jersey Atlantic City Marathon and Half Marathon – the biggest running weekend in the South Jersey area presented by AtlantiCare and the G. Larry James Legacy 5K and 10K.
Over the past 59 years, the Atlantic City Marathon has become an Atlantic City icon as the third oldest marathon in the United States attracting thousands from all 50 states and internationally.
The 5K and 10K will take place on Saturday and the 60th annual marathon will take place on Sunday. All races start on the Boardwalk in front of Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino.
“We are honored and proud to be a part of this historic event bringing thousands of runners to our community to showcase the beauty of the island and enjoy all of what Atlantic City has to offer,” race Director Genia Bittner said.
The event is part of the 2018 RRCA Championship Event Series.
This year’s event features more music on the course than ever, custom anniversary finisher medals and speakers at the Expo including Villanova hall-of-famer and 1968 Olympic Team member Dave Patrick.
In partnership with Stockton University’s G. Larry James Legacy Fund, runners in the 5K and 10K will race down the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk past the new Stockton University campus before turning around to return to the finish line in the Courtyard at Bally’s.
“Stockton University is proud to have the G. Larry James Legacy 5K race be part of the Atlantic City Marathon race weekend series,” said Brian Jackson, chief operating officer for the Atlantic City campus. “With the opening of Stockton University Atlantic City, our students and staff will have front row seats on the Boardwalk and will be enthusiastically cheering on the competitors.”
The legacy races raise money in memory of the late G. Larry James, Stockton University’s former director of athletics and recreation and an Olympic gold medalist, who died in 2008. Proceeds benefit the G. Larry James Legacy Endowed Scholarship Fund to support students attending Stockton University. The races start at 9 a.m.
Marathon and half marathon runners will run a certified course that strategically travels through the scenic streets of Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate and Longport, beginning and ending on the beautiful boardwalk of Atlantic City. The Marathon and Half Marathon will start at 8 a.m.
More than 80 Stockton student volunteers, including members of the men’s and women’s track and field teams, women’s lacrosse and men’s basketball teams will be assisting at the marathon on Sunday.
Along the route, runners may add a little pep to their steps with lively music from a variety of bands, disc jockeys and local radio station 95.1 WAYV and its sister stations as they host a variety of music throughout the race route on both days.
The weekend also consists of a two-day Sports and Fitness Expo 4-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19 and noon-7 p.m. Saturday at Bally’s Grand Ballroom, 1900 Pacific Ave. Sports and Fitness exhibitors will be on-site selling and sampling fitness and wellness products, apparel, sneakers and more.
For more information on the Atlantic City Marathon, visit acraceseries.com, email acmarathon@jccatlantic.org or call 609-822-1167 ext. 141
