Thousands Of Runners, Bikers Converge On Ocean City For Weekend

Ocean City NJ

22 September, 2021

11:36 AM

Description

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City will be the place to be this weekend for running and biking enthusiasts as the city will become the epicenter of activity as two big events make their return to the city. The OCNJ Half Marathon and the MS City To Shore Ride are both expected to draw thousands of participants. The Half Marathon festivities will take place Sunday and will also feature a 10-mile run and 5-kilometer event. Registration will run through Saturday, organizers said, but Thursday is the final day for online registration for the various events. In-person registration will take place from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Ocean City Free Public Library. Those wishing to register online for the events before Thursday's 4 p.m. deadline may do so here. While runners participating in the half marathon won't be able to register on race day, those wishing to participate in the shorter runs will be able to do so beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. The half marathon and 10-mile events will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the 5K run going off at 8:40 a.m., organizers said. Local residents should expect a few road closures due to the events and the Ocean City-Longport Bridge will also be closed from 8-10 a.m. on Sunday, officials said. After being switched to more of a virtual event in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the MS City To Shore Bikeevent will bring thousands of bikers to Ocean City on Saturday. The event, which raised $1.8 million for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society last year, typically raises close to $6 million annually, organizers recently told the Ocean City Council. The annual trek from Cherry Hill will begin there early Saturday morning before making their way to Ocean City. Riders will finish at Fifth Street and Boardwalk on Saturday and riders will spend the night in Ocean City before returning to their starting point on Sunday, organizers said. More information about the event can be found here.