|
|
|
First Timer's Guide
Race Calendars
Training Plans
|
|
New Jersey > The Wild Half Marathon & 8K
Wildwood, NJ • Sunday, August 26, 2012 • Course Map
 |
|
Famous for its miles-long boardwalk, beaches and seaside attractions like the roller coasters, waterparks and amusement parks that make up Morey's Piers, the Wildwoods area of New Jersey here along Cape May play host in the late summer of 2012 to the running of "The Wild Half," a half marathon that will take runners past a number of these attractions and along the boardwalk where waves crash along the shoreline.
(While the race was to have its inaugural running in August 2011, weather conditions forced the cancellation of the race due to Hurricane Irene. An 8K race has been added to the event for 2012.)
Water surrounds the race route for nearly all of the event's 13.1 miles, as runners follow an out-and-back route that will start and finish near the Wildwoods Convention Center, along the boardwalk just off Rio Grand Avenue. From there, runners start off by heading northeast along the boardwalk -- which is known to tourists as "two miles of smiles" -- in the direction of North Wildwood.
This area, which is collectively known as "the Wildwoods" of New Jersey, is really several communities -- Wildwood Crest to the southeast, Wildwood and North Wildwood to the northeast, and Diamond Beach further to the south. Thousands of tourists and beachgoers flock to the area every summer from nearby New York, Pennsylvania and other parts of New Jersey, to take in attractions that have been a part of this beachtown for decades.
After making their way northeast along the boardwalk, the remainder of the first half of the race course takes runners back northwest into the island, with turns along 2nd Avenue, 1st Avenue, Spruce Avenue and Anglesea Drive. Then, runners turn onto Wildwood Boulevard and head across the Stone Harbor Bridge over to Nummy Island, where they reach the half-way turnaround point and then head back over the bridge.
Runners next retrace their steps along the route they've just run, heading back southeast along Anglesea, Spruce, 1st and 2nd Avenue. The course returns to the boardwalk once again, giving runners another glimpse of the scenic beaches and coastline areas, before bringing them down to the turn onto Ocean Avenue, for the final mile and a half of the race, back in to the finish line near the convention center.
The race begins at 7:30 AM, and runners can expect plenty of on-course entertainment from live bands along the race route. Runners and walkers also should be aware that there is a four-hour limit, so they'll need to complete the half marathon's 13.1 miles by 12:30 PM.
Race
Weather & Climate
Located along the boardwalk and the Atlantic coastline near the area known as Cape May along the southernmost tip of New Jersey, the resort city of Wildwood typically experiences warm weather and plenty of sunshine in the summertime, and relatively even precipitation year-round. In August, the city's average monthly temperatures range between 83°F and 67°F -- on the day of the race (Aug. 26), the average high is 83°F and the average low is 66°F -- while rainfall totals average just over 3.6 inches for the month.
Course Map
View the race route map for the Wild Half Marathon
Fees
$60 for the half marathon, if registered by March 1, 2012
$65 between March 2 - May 1
$75 between May 2 - August 1
$80 between Aug. 2 - 20
$85 after Aug. 20
Registration
To reserve your spot in the late summer 2012 running of Wildwood's The Wild Half Marathon or 8K race, register online at the event website.
Official Race Website
thewildhalf.cgiracing.com
Leave a Comment
Ever run in New Jersey's annual The Wild Half Marathon? Share your impressions, stories and tips from the event.
|
|
|
