Why Not? They're Running for their Lives

By Murial Smith via Veni Vidi Scripto

SANDY HOOK – The Shore Athletic Club is inviting local businesses, restaurants, professionals and Highlands residents to join their sponsorship program for the Jersey Shore Half Marathon, scheduled for Sunday Oct. 3 on Sandy Hook.


The Half Marathon is one of more than two dozen events hosted annually by the Shore Athletic Club, a more than 75-year old non-profit organization based in Monmouth County and designed to support running, walking, recreational and wellness events for youth through open and masters’ athletes.


David Friedman of Freehold, Erin O’Neill of Port Monmouth and Coach Joe Compagni of Highlands are the event directors for the race. They have invited local business from Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright to take advantage of the sponsorship offer and partner with the Club in presenting the event, which includes more than 700 athletes and spectators, as well as families and volunteers from the Sandy Hook area and beyond.


“This event draws athletes and spectators from throughout New Jersey as well as out of state,” said Compagni. “As a Highlands resident for more than 25 years, I know that our local businesses who are sponsors can benefit from the number of visitors who will be here that weekend looking for places to dine and relax. I’m sure they will appreciate an introduction to all the area offers in terms of business and professional services.”


Our communities have always been generous to our non-profit organization and to the programs we offer for youth in particular, the coach continued, so offering them a sponsorship of this major event is a way of saying thanks to them for their continued support.


The Short Athletic Club offers three levels of sponsorship ranging from $75 to $250 or more in gift certificates or merchandise. In return, the Shore A.C. will promote the contributing sponsors in their event flyers, e-mails, and social media posts which are seen by participants, club members throughout the Northeast, and event volunteers. Some sponsorships also enable the sponsor to set up a vendor table the day of the race (within Sandy Hook guidelines), and receive a free race entry, among other benefits.


“We want to let those outside the area know that our towns and the Sandy Hook area are not simply a great place to go in the summer,“ Compagni said. “Keeping visitors aware of the variety and plethora of businesses we have, we can extend the season for our local companies and let our visitors know of some of the events and activities that keep people coming back here throughout the year.”


Founded in 1934, the Shore A.C. has been overseen and directed for decades by Lifetime Trustee Elliott Denman, a 1956 Olympian and highly respected journalist with the Asbury Park Press. The Shore A.C. is dedicated to the vision of track and field as a lifetime sport and prides itself on being a club for all athletes and all seasons, with varsity and local men’s and women’s teams competing in every event within the sport and at every level from youth to Masters. Members have achieved in numerous levels, including Olympians and National and World Champions. The Club achieved numerous accolades during its first 30 years, and emerged as a larger and more vibrant club as it grew until today when there are more than 500 members. The Jersey Shore Half Marathon on Sandy Hook is one of the club’s signature events, the others being the popular George Sheehan Classic 5K the well-known Polar Bear Races, both in Asbury Park. ​

The Shore A.C. also supports training athletes to compete in certified USATF events and Long Distance Races nationally and internationally throughout the year. They have been recognized for their competitive and strong presence at the Millrose Games, Penn Relays, and National & State championship events. This past summer, the Shore A.C. was represented by 11 athletes at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Oregon. In 2016, the club sent 19 athletes to the Olympic Trials.


For more information on how to become a sponsor of the Jersey Shore Half Marathon, contact Compagni at [email protected] or 908-616-0119.