Runners ready to descend on Seaside for Semper Five race, walk

Jean Mikle, Asbury Park Press
·2 min read

SEASIDE HEIGHTS - A 5K race and walk Saturday in Seaside Heights will benefit active duty and medically retired U.S. Marines and sailors, as well as the families of servicemen and women who have lost their lives while serving their country.

The Seaside Semper Five celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The race kicks off at 9:30 a.m. in front of The Beachcomber, 100 Ocean Terrace. A 1-mile fun run/walk starts at 9 a.m.

Registration fee is $55 and includes a long-sleeve zip shirt. For more information, go to seasidesemperfive.org.

Over the past decade, the Seaside Semper Five has drawn over 35,000 runners worldwide and has raised nearly $400,000 for the Marine Raider Foundation, which provides support to Marines and sailors who have lost their lives or been seriously injured in service to our country.

In 2016, the event gained national attention after being targeted by a terrorist. A pipe bomb-type explosive device exploded along the race route. Ahmad Khan Rahimi was sentenced to life in prison for the race bombing as well two New York City bombings.

The next year, the Semper Five returned to the boardwalk, drawing a huge crowd of runners.

Start of the Semper Five 5K race. Three years after its cancellation due to a terrorist bombing, the sixth annual Seaside Semper Five Marine Corps Charity 5K Run/Walk returned to the Jersey Shore. this Saturday. This year’s race once again, attracted thousands of participants, all taking part in a massive effort to once again show the spirit and determination of race community sending a strong message that they will not be deterred by terrorism.

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The event has grown significantly since its inception, with simultaneous events at U.S. Embassies in Afghanistan, Iraq, Rwanda, and Cambodia, both live and virtually.

The Marine Raider Foundation was established to provide benevolent support to active duty and medically retired Marine personnel and their families as well as to the families of Marines and sailors who have lost their lives in service to the nation.

The foundation aims to meet needs unmet by the government with an emphasis on building personal and family resiliency and supporting the full reintegration of Marines and sailors following wounds, injuries and extended deployments.

Three years after its cancellation due to a terrorist bombing, the sixth annual Seaside Semper Five Marine Corps Charity 5K Run/Walk returned to the Jersey Shore. this Saturday. This year’s race once again, attracted thousands of participants, all taking part in a massive effort to once again show the spirit and determination of race community sending a strong message that they will not be deterred by terrorism.

Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and has been writing about local government and politics at the Jersey Shore for nearly 39 years. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle,  jmikle@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: 5K races in NJ: Semper Five scheduled for Saturday in Seaside Heights