Jersey City’s Marathon Recap
The Jersey City Road Runners (JCRR), in partnership with the City of Jersey City and CompuScore, successfully put together its inaugural Jersey City Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday, April 23rd. Many runners, both residents and outside of Jersey City, had the chance to run through Jersey City’s diverse neighborhoods and Liberty State Park. Runners powered through the course despite the heavy rainfall! This marathon was a 2024 Boston Marathon Qualifying event making it a critical race for several runners. Continue reading to learn more about how the marathon went, and if you’re interested in training for an upcoming race or next year’s marathon, we have provided some tips on getting started on training!
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Marathon Recap
With more than 6,000 participants representing thirty-eight states and twenty-eight countries, this race was extraordinary for Jersey City. It also included a non-binary category! The marathon course started in Newport Green, where runners traveled through Jersey City’s waterfront and many diverse neighborhoods, including the Powerhouse Arts District, Paulus Hook, Greenville, Bergen-Lafayette, and Liberty State Park. The course ranked as the 157th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the third fastest in New Jersey. Due to the course’s nature and participants’ safety, a 15-minute/mile pace requirement was strictly enforced.
According to NJ.com, Joan Benoit Samuelson, the inaugural Women’s Marathon Gold Medalist of the 1984 Olympics, was present to motivate and support the runners. Her extraordinary achievements in marathon running include setting American and world records at the Boston Marathons of 1979 and 1983 and winning the Chicago Marathon in 1985. Remarkably, she is ranked sixth in the U.S. women’s marathon history. She has an impressive personal best time of 2:21:21. Jersey City was honored to have such a legendary athlete present and encourage our runners. She is an inspiration for many runners of all ages!
Results showed two Olympic trial qualifying times, many Boston Marathon permitting times, personal records, and first-time finishers. There were even two finish-line proposals!
If you’re interested in seeing the race results click here.
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Tips on How to Train for the Full Marathon/Half Marathon
Are you interested in training for a race? Here are some tips to get you started!
- Create a plan, remember to start slowly, and know your limits. This plan should include your weekly mileage and tracking your pace. Remember to begin your training months in advance before the marathon. This will allow you to increase your mileage over time and build endurance gradually. You can also mix it with cross-training, such as incorporating swimming, biking, yoga, and weightlifting into your routine.
- Investing in the proper gear will set you up for your success and ensure you are comfortable while running. Ensure you have good running shoes that provide adequate support and fit well.
- Focusing on your health and nutrition is very important when training for a marathon. Make sure you eat a balanced diet, including carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats, to fuel you during your training!
- Find a running group or partner to encourage and keep you accountable. Check out our article on Running Groups in Jersey City You Should Know About to get started!
Upcoming Races in Jersey City
There are many opportunities to sign up for a race in Jersey City when you are feeling ready. Click here to learn more about each race and how to sign up. Below is the list of some of the upcoming races.
- HunterFest 5K – April 30, 2023
- NYRR Newport 5K – May 7, 2023
- Jersey City Challenge Race – May 13, 2023
- Running Is Back 10K. – May 14, 2023
- Jersey City Half Marathon – May 21, 2023
- Exchange Place Corporate Challenge – June 22, 2023
- Statue of Liberty 5K. – July 4, 2023
- Jersey City Summer Half – August 20, 2023
Author: Arati Patel
Arati is a professional immersed in the environmental and animal welfare field. In her free time, she enjoys walking and spending time with shelter dogs, exploring the outdoors, and always ready to find a new coffee shop. A born and raised Jersey City local, she considers herself a life-long learner who is ready to write and craft inspiring stories to share with everyone!
