The AmeriHealth Atlantic City Marathon Race Series will once again welcome thousands of runners and spectators for a weekend of races and community engagement from October 18 – 22, 2024. The event will kick off with a two-day Runner Expo at Bally’s Atlantic City on Friday, October 18, and Saturday, October 19. In addition to gearing up for the marathon, the Expo will feature a charitable initiative to support Stand Up 2 Cancer and Community Recycling.
Runners and attendees are encouraged to donate new or gently used shoes at the Expo, with drop-off bins located just inside the entrance. All types of shoes, including running shoes, casual sneakers, dress shoes and children’s footwear, will be accepted. The donations will directly benefit communities in need, both in Atlantic County and worldwide. For every full bin collected, a donation will be made to Stand Up 2 Cancer, providing crucial support to cancer research.
In previous years, over 330 pairs of shoes were donated, and organizers are aiming to exceed that count this year. Community Recycling, an AtlantiCare partner, will ensure that the shoes are distributed locally and globally.
Genia Bittner, Atlantic City Marathon Race Series Director, shared her sentiments, “Each pair of shoes donated not only helps those in need but also carries with it a sense of hope and strength from our incredible running community. The shoes that have once crossed finish lines will now travel further, touching lives in ways we can’t even imagine.”
The Expo, which is free and open to the public, will take place at Bally’s Casino Resort and feature vendor booths, race registration, and sneak peeks of exclusive marathon gear.
Race Weekend Schedule
The AmeriHealth Atlantic City Marathon is the third oldest continuously run marathon in the United States, renowned for its fast, flat course and breathtaking oceanfront Boardwalk views.
This year, the marathon weekend will feature:
- 10K & 5K Races: Saturday, October 19, starting at 9:00 am
- Half Marathon & Marathon: Sunday, October 20, starting at 8:00 am
- Runner Expo: Bally’s Atlantic City, Treymore Ballroom, 6th Floor, 1900 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City, NJ 08401
- Dates & Times: Friday, October 18 / Hours: 3 – 7 pm & Saturday, October 19 / Hours: 3 – 8 pm
The races begin and end at Bally’s Atlantic City, with live music and DJs along the course to keep participants and spectators energized. More than 3,700 runners from all 50 states and multiple countries are expected to participate.
Event Highlights:
- Over 800 volunteers and 22 water stations will support the runners.
- The post-race party will be hosted by The Yard at Bally’s, featuring food, drinks, and entertainment.
- The award ceremonies will take place at 10:30 am on both race days, with additional age group awards distributed at 1:30 pm on Sunday.
Community Support & Expo Details:
In addition to Bally’s Atlantic City, event sponsors include AmeriHealth, Cape May Brewing Company, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), Atlantic City Sports Commission, Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa, Calvi Electric Company, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Gatorade, Linwood Wealth Management Group, Michelob Ultra, Resorts Casino Hotel, Rothman Institute, Strive Physical Therapy, Wells Fargo Advisors, and 95.1 WAYV.
Important Notes for Race Weekend:
- Bicycles are not permitted on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City and Ventnor during the race from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, and 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday.
- A full traffic advisory with road closures and delays is available.
For more information or to register for the race, visit www.acraceseries.com.
Photo credit: Atlantic City Race Series
