Jersey Shore Half Marathon and 2 Mile Run
Date and time
Saturday, October 3, 2026 · 7:00 PM
Location
Sandy Hook - Gateway National Recreation Area - Area E, Highlands, NJ
Date and time
Saturday, October 3, 2026 · 7:00 PM
Location
Sandy Hook - Gateway National Recreation Area - Area E, Highlands, NJ
Date and time
Saturday, October 3, 2026 · 7:00 PM
Location
Sandy Hook - Gateway National Recreation Area - Area E, Highlands, NJ
JERSEY SHORE HALF MARATHON AND 2 MILE RUN Sunday, October 4, 2026
** New start time: 8:00 A.M. **
Registration for this year's in-person race is now FULL!
The Virtual Race Option IS available.
SANDY HOOK - GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
The Jersey Shore Half Marathon, hosted by the Shore Athletic Club, has a rich history that makes it one of the oldest distance events held in New Jersey and the surrounding areas. The first Jersey Shore Marathon was held in 1972. In fact, 2026 will be the 53rd Running of the Jersey Shore Half Marathon!
This USATF-certified course (adjusted and re-certified in 2026) is a very flat and fast 2-loop course! The Jersey Shore Half Marathon will also be a USATF-NJ Grand Prix points race.
Sandy Hook is a scenic and historic 6-mile strip of land tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and Sandy Hook Bay. Racing on Sandy Hook is a great place for a fast 13.1; a friendly place for first-time half-marathoners; and a great way to prepare for your fall marathon! Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Sandy Hook and the area when you are done! All entrants will receive a complimentary long-sleeve race shirt, discounts and giveaways from our sponsors, and a customized race completion medal. Complimentary food and drinks will be available to all runners after the race.
Plenty of free parking is available within the park in LOT D, close to the start/finish area. Spectator parking is in LOT C. No shuttle needed. The races start and finish on the main park road located very close to the entrance of parking LOT E. All parking will be available this year in LOT D. Lot C will be available if needed for spectators and for overflow parking. Please plan to arrive early, carpool if possible, and park in Lot D.
*- Please use the boardwalk or blacktop multi-use path to make your way to/from Lot D and the start/finish area. Please do NOT walk on the roadway at all.
HALF MARATHON REGISTRATION $80 early bird "throwback price" discount to the first 100 entrants starting from February 18-27, 2026.
$80 by February 27, 2026 $95 by June 30, 2026 $110 by October 3, 2026* $125 on October 4 and Event Day* (credit card or Venmo only on race day, if spaces are available)
2 MILE REGISTRATION $25 early registration discount by March 31 for the 2 Mile Run
$30 by October 3, 2025*
$35 on Event Day* (* - credit card or Venmo only on race day, IF any spaces are available. the 800 person cap includes the 2 Mile)
The 2 Mile Race will begin 5 minutes after the half start - flat and fast out and back course.
REGISTRATION + PERSONALIZED TRAINING PLAN $160 by February 27, 2026 $175 by June 30, 2026 $190 by October 4, 2026
VIRTUAL RACE OPTION
$40 per person.
Send us a screenshot of your results by 10/4, and we will include you in the results.
A race shirt and other giveaways will be mailed to you after the race.
PRE-RACE BIB/SHIRT PICK-UP
The Outpost Running and Walking Co. Saturday, October 3, 2026 11:15 AM to 2:00 PM
THE OUTPOST RUNNING & WALKING CO. 32 Church Street in Little Silver
Participants are strongly encouraged to pick up bibs and shirts on Saturday if at all possible to save time on race day. During Saturday packet pick-up, random giveaways will be held throughout the day. Join us at THE OUTPOST to get race-ready with discounts and free items. The first 80 USATFNJ club members to register (using the code USATFNJCLUB at check-out) get an $8 discount. Stay tuned for a possible shake-out run that day as well.
EVENT DAY SCHEDULE October 4, 2026 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM
Sandy Hook, Lifesaving Station Between Lots D and E (New spot in 2024 and back again for 2026!)
6:30 AM to 7:30 AM - Pre-registration bib & shirt pick up at the Lifesaving Station 8:00 AM - Half Marathon Start 8:05 AM - 2 Mile Start 9:30 AM to 11:45 AM - Enjoy complimentary refreshments at the Lifesaving Station! 10:45 AM - Awards Ceremony & Giveaways at the Lifesaving Station
11:00 AM - The course will be closed (3-hour time limit for all participants)
AWARDS
CASH PRIZES (minimum of $225, $175, and $150) to the Top 3 Overall Male and Female Finishers. Custom Age Group Awards to the Top 3 finishers in each 5-year age group. All runners (13.1 and 2 Mile events) will get a special long-sleeve event tee and other giveaways from our sponsors. All 13.1 finishers will receive a custom Jersey Shore Half Marathon 2026 finisher medal.
COOL NEW HIGHLIGHTS IN 2026
We will have pacers running at 1:30, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, and 2:30 paces. Look for signs and join their group at the start! -Long-sleeve Jersey Shore Half Marathon & 2 Mile race tees to all registrants.
Special discounts with local merchants on race weekend. Post-Race Party at Off The Hook in Highlands, right over the bridge in Highlands, starting at noon. -Running photos are available for purchase.
LODGING PARTNER: Our preferred hotel partner is the Sonesta Select of Eatontown, located on Hope Road near Parkway Exit 105. Ask for the Shore Athletic Club rate when making your reservation. Call 1-800-766-3782. Limited space available.
HOTEL PARTNER
Sonesta Select in Tinton Falls
The rate is the Shore Athletic Club rate. When guests call the front desk, please mention that. The Shore A.C. Rate Code can also be used to book online. Or, you can just go to the Sonesta website, enter the dates of stay, and enter the rate code into the Corporate/Promo drop-down section. This booking link takes you directly to where manually entering the code goes as well.
CHARITY PARTNER
This year, we are proud to partner again with the Sandy Hook Foundation, the official nonprofit friends' group, to the National Park Service at Sandy Hook, NJ, a Gateway National Recreation Area unit. Established in 1989, the Foundation has funded cultural, educational, environmental, and conservation programs. It has helped restore and preserve historic structures of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Fort Hancock — both National Historic Landmarks. During registration, participants can make a tax-deductible donation to The Sandy Hook Foundation through, to support the Foundation's work within the park. Last year, we raised close to $3,000 thanks to the contributions of race participants and friends. Let's beat that this year!
The Sandy Hook Foundation staff will also be at the Lifesaving Station and their gift shop will be open on race day.
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS, ENTERTAINMENT, AND LODGING
-Participants can enjoy discounts throughout the weekend, compliments of local merchants (www.highlandsnj.com).
-Post-Race Party at Off The Hook, Highlands - One free domestic draft beer or soda with your race bib and other specials.
Look for more information coming soon!
RACE PHOTOS
Jack McCoy Photography - Stay tuned for event day photos!
Race Day Bib and Short Pick-Up - Sunday, October 4, 2026 7:00 - 7:30 AM - Lifesaving Station (follow the boardwalk from Lot D)
*- Race day registration may not be available. Race day bib pick-up is at the Lifesaving Station between Lots D and E. Park in Lot D and follow the Boardwalk to the Lifesaving Station. Please be aware that last year, our pre-entry cap was reached on August 26, and the race was FULL. Any race day gear purchases must be made by Venmo or credit card only (no cash or checks). Race day bib pick-up closes at 7:30 AM. Please pick up on Saturday at The Outpost or arrive early on Sunday.
SAFETY NOTES
NO HEADPHONES ON THE COURSE, PLEASE!! The course is 2 loops with runners going in both directions, and we need to keep it safe for all!
Please, for the safety of all, we can not allow any strollers or pets at the race.
We do have a strict 3-hour time limit on the Half Marathon course. No finishers will be allowed after this time. Thank you.
Course Records: 2022 Champions - Evan Bush (1:10:28) and Jessica Francis (1:27:35).
2023 Champions: Jack Shea (1:09:45) of the Shore A.C. and Mackenzie Greenfield (1:22:06).
2024 Champions: Michael Bond (1:12:40) of the Shore A.C. and Rachel Rodriguez (1:17:48).
2025 Champions: Troy Hill (1:11:20) of the Shore A.C. and Abigail Silva (1:29:20).
FOLLOW US @theshoreac on Instagram and X, and at The Shore Athletic Club on Facebook and LinkedIn For updates and photos at www.shoreac.org
Half marathon
2.0 mi