New Jersey Marathon

The New Jersey Marathon is one of the most spectacular urban runs in the United States. The course runs alongside the oceanfront with the finish line located at the Long Branch Ocean Promenade located on the Jersey Shore. Even better, for those who have not been to Jersey, 13 miles of the trail runs right through the commercial district and downtown neighborhoods close to Monmouth Beach, allowing you to get a view of the entire city on foot.

A mostly scenic run, it is also famous for the cast of characters who can typically be spotted racing alongside the crowd. “Larry the Lighthouse” is just one among many sites to see, as he makes his way to the finish line with a cardboard lighthouse perched atop his shoulders. A mainly flat course, for those who have aspirations of making it to the Boston Marathon, this is the perfect qualifier to realize your running dreams. Not to discount the hilly conditions, it is challenging enough for even the most seasoned athletes to enjoy.

Amateurs and elite athletes alike can participate as onlookers cheer them on. The good nature of the Jersians is what makes this race so spectacular. From Oceanport to Long Branch to Branch, racers get to see first hand the amazing city come alive just for them.