Spectator Tips and Suggested Viewing Locations

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

Our 2-loop marathon course (single loop half marathon course) was 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 9:00am and end by 3:30pm.

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Parking near the Start / Finish area is limited and many of the local streets will be blocked starting no later than 8:30am on race day. For Central Parking and Train and Shuttle Bus Transportation Information please click here. 

Here are a few examples 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 miles 9.5 & 22.6, walk back across Ocean Blvd. to Pier Village and you are at miles 12.8 & 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 are a casual (and short) walk apart.

To enhance the spectator/participant experience, runners wear personalized (vanity) bibs with their names (or other messages). There is no better experience to a participant than to hear his / her name called out. That brief moment of connection between participant and spectator is exciting for both!

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!

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 Start Time for all races is 9:00 AM,
• The course is 13.1 miles long (the Half Marathon distance),
• The marathon course is 26.2 miles long (2 loops of the half marathon course) so please remember to say around to encourage these athletes on their second loop,
• 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. 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 / or the athlete's Bib Name; and unless you're withing sight of the Finish Line, do NOT yell: "ALMOST THERE!"

Every year there are about 30% "First Timers" for the Marathon distance of 26 miles, 385 yards!  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 positive or negative memory.

The Band locations along the course

These areas are often fun places to watch the races.

Location

Bands

Brighton Park
West End Gazebo
Brighton Avenue

Josh Zukerman Band

Ocean Place Resort & Spa
One Ocean Blvd.
Promenade

Turtle Soup 

Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant
100 Ocean Avenue N.
Promenade

Music Rehab 

Excel Travel
45 Atlantic Ave
Corner of Atlantic Ave & Ocean Blvd

Off Beet Productions  

Investors Saving Bank
169 Broadway at Liberty

Kim Dalton 

Oceanport Borough Hall
Corner of Monmouth Blvd and Myrtle Ave.

World Meets Peace 

Pier Village
Festival Plaza

Bar Flyz  

Broadway - Fountain
Corner of Broadway & Long Branch Ave

Zombie Mafia