Spectator Tips and Suggested Viewing Locations
 

A truly successful marathon, half marathon and half marathon relay needs three components: Participants, Spectators and Sponsors. This section is devoted to you, The Spectator.

Our new single loop marathon course and our single loop half marathon course were conceived to be "spectator friendly" by allowing both residents and visitors to the city to watch the athletes at several points during the races. The races start at 8:00am and end by 2:30pm.

Full Marathon Course Map

Half Marathon and Half Marathon Relay Course Map

Parking near the Start / Finish area is limited and many of the local streets will be blocked starting no later than 7:30am on Race Day.  Central Parking is located at Monmouth Park.  The address is 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757.  Shuttle busses will be available to take runners from central parking to the Start / Finish area and back.

Here are a few example of ways to view the athletes at several points during the races:

Start / Finish Area: On the Ocean Promenade, a short walk across Ocean Blvd. (future location of the Broadway Arts Center) you are at mile 9.5, walk back across Ocean Blvd. to Pier Village and you are at miles 12.8 and 25.9, and / or a return to the Finish Area is a short walk north.

Pier Village is a great place to relax during the races. It is full of shops and restaurants and is at / on the beach!

All of these locations area a casual (and short) walk apart.

For locals to the north Jersey Shore (especially Long Branch residents), there are two other great Spectator Vantage Points to help support the participants where support is needed most!

Corner of Ocean Ave & Brighton Ave., West End: A beautifully tree-lined stretch is closed to traffic (park west of Second Ave.) and is at mile 11.5 of the Full and Half Marathons and also at mile 24.5 of the Full Marathon. This avenue is full of shops and restaurants. Plus, a bandstand, with live entertainment, is on the corner of Brighton Ave. and Ocean Blvd. The beach is one block east.

Asbury Park Boardwalk: The Boardwalk in Asbury Park is another great location to watch the Full Marathon.  The stetch of Boardwalk from Convention Hall south is lined with shops and restaurants and is another great location to relax and watch the race.

Ocean Grove between The Great Auditorium and Ocean Ave: At the southern most point of the Full Marathon course.  The street is lined with B&Bs and pleasant ocean views.  This is the point of the race when many of the marathoners start to have difficulty, and they would greatly appreciate your encouragement here.  Please cheer them on as they turn north toward the finish line, in about about 7 miles.

If you make a simple plan before going to the race, it will make your experience almost as rewarding as the participant's, and your participation will enhance the experience for ALL!

Please keep the following basics in mind:

• The Marathon Start Time will be 8:00 AM, with the Half Marathon and Half Marathon Relay at 8:30 AM.
• The Half Marathon course is 13.1 miles long.
• The marathon course is 26.2 miles long so please remember to to encourage these athletes along the new single loop course.
• A NJ Transit train from either NYC Penn Station (making all local stops) to Long Branch or from Bay Head to Long Branch is a good way to commute to the races for both the athletes and spectators.  There will be a free NJ Transit train from NY Penn Station to Long Branch Station on Race Day.  Check the NJ Transit schedule for departure times.
• Make a parking plan, and walk to your choice of viewing location from there.
• Bring: paper towels, tissues, hard candy, gummy bears, or other small but appreciated amenities, for the participants - and especially bring a strong voice to cheer (or a noise-maker).
• Yell encouraging words, and unless you're within sight of the Finish Line, do NOT yell "ALMOST THERE!"

Every year there are about 30% "First Timers" for the Marathon distance of 26.2 miles. Your support is in many cases vital to their ability to finish!

For sure, these "First Timer" participants will remember your support for the rest of their lives! No Kidding!

No matter how many marathons these athletes complete in the years ahead, they will always remember their first marathon, and your encouragement could make the difference between it being a postive or negative memory.

The Band Locations along the course

These area are often fun places to watch the races.