RunAPalooza 2009 Highlights

The Jersey Shore Relay Marathon

2009 Results - Misc Photos - Team Photos

First Place Overall Team - Joe Donahue, Dave Slavinski and Joe Rooney -
Brian Shea not pictured.

It was a truly glorious day for the First Annual runAPalooza of events at the Jersey Shore all ending up in Asbury Park.

Over 3500 participants in the three events of the Asbury Park Half Marathon, Jersey Shore Relay and runAPlooza Walk. Giant party inside and outside of Convention Hall with bands, food and drink.

The weather could not have been better for the participants and all the volunteers who made for a truly memorable event.

About 450 Teams participated in the 13th Annual Jersey Shore Relay which started in Seaside Heights and finished in Asbury Park running the marathon distance of 26.2 miles between the two Jersey Shore ocean front communities.

The first overall team was the Jersey Shore Tri Club comprised of Joe Donahue, Pt. Pleasant, Dave Slavinksi, Pt. Pleasant (ran 2 legs), Brian Shea, Tinton Falls, Joe Rooney, Howell  which finished in a time of 2:22:53 followed by the "230's" of Brick in a time of 2:26:28and the Pearsall Pacers of South Amboy in a time of 2:30:45. 

Many teams dressed in unique costumes as he Super Sophomores (photo below) and the Village People on the right  and one team ran the entire course in a pirate ship. Awards were given in several categories and special awards were given to the best dressed and most spirited teams.

The Asbury Park Half Marathon
2009 Results - Photos

The Start of the 2009 Asbury Park Half Marathon

About 600 Runners started out in front of the Asbury Park Convention Hall and made their way south through Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach and Avon.

In Avon the runners had the choice of turning back for a three loop course or continuing south into Belmar, Spring Lake and Sea Girt before returning back to the finish.  About 60% of the runners opted for the course into Sea Girt knowing risking the bridge opening between Belmar and Avon. 

A few runners were unfortunate to have the bridge open on their return back to Asbury Park but they appeared to take it in stride and were still ecstatic about the ocean front course on such a beautiful day at the Jersey Shore.

The Men's Winner was Richard Angelillo of Philadelphia in a time of 1:19:03 followed by Graham Merfield of Titusville in 1:20:23 and Eric Schrading of Galloway in 1:20:32.  For the women it was Eissa Christian Shively of New York City in a time of 1:31:32 followed by Robin Campbell of South Amboy in 1:36:07 and Tara Michelle Conroy of New York in 1:36:33.27.