Tony Marchetti's Staging Area

Last time I ran this race was in 2017. The course was different than in 2017 which I preferred. Great change up so I hope they continue with this course except I wish they would by pass the dreaded 14th St bridge. Scenery was great as you run past many different monuments so if you’re a first timer you will love it. Swag was better in 2017 as was the after party. It appeared to me as less vendor as well as Army divisional support. As with Army tradition, you receive a coin at the end of the race. Perfect to display on my desk at work. Overall a great race if you have not done this one before. You’ll run with 30K other runners of all abilities. Have fun and enjoy!

Swag was better in 2017.

Returning to NJ to run in my home state I had lots of expectations that went unfulfilled. Although the course is flat and fast, where I should have easily PR’d, I did not mainly because I chose to take pics along the way and I had a great support team which I took lots of pics with for coming out and cheering me on! That said, you should easily achieve a PR if you don’t stop as often as I did.

Although bib pickup located at Monmouth Horse Track was fast and easy, I was disappointed that there was not a true expo. There were maybe 10 vendors. The expo is part of the experience that I like in getting me ready to race. The views along the course take you from the Horse Track through neighborhoods weaving across the Jersey Shore marsh areas. Plenty of neighbors out cheering racers forward. The best part of the route is when you come to mile 8 where the half splits from the full. The full continues along the beach route 1 block in from the beach, but the neighborhood that it runs through is full of mansions all the way to Asbury Park before turning around and running along the boardwalk!! The half turns to the boardwalk at mile 10 so the last 3.1 miles have you running on the boardwalk. This makes the whole race, at least for me, as it brought back many memories of growing up at the shore. Great support at the end of the race with plenty of food and drink. However, that said I was a little disappointed with the medal even though it encapsulates the great state of New Jersey!! Overall, if you want a race to PR than you should easily be able to get it here. As for the swag, you will need to look elsewhere. Cheers!!

This is a fantastic race full of energy from the start of packet pickup to crossing the finish line to get your coin to perusing the after party tail gates! Always a perfect day and a perfectly executed race. If you have never run the Army 10 Miler do it today!!

This is the ultimate marathon of marathons. From bib pickup to support along the way, you can beat the Marine Corp Marathon. What a way to see D.C. running with over 30K of your closest friends. What they say about the 14th street bridge is true…it is the longest 1.25 miles you will run at mile 18. No shade, hot, hot, hot pavement regardless that it is October. It is the longest mile. Running up the last hill to the Iwa Jima Memorial is truly the way to finish and salute our men and women who fight to save this country while saluting you for finishing!!