New Jersey

Order in which state was run: 31

Order in which state was admitted into the union: 3

The State flag of New Jersey is buff colored. The state coat of arms is emblazoned in the center. The shield has three plows with a horse's head above it. Two women represent the goddesses of Liberty and Agriculture. A ribbon at the bottom includes the year of independence in 1776 and reads: Liberty and Prosperity. The New Jersey state flag was formally adopted in 1896.

 

Date: October 14, 2007
Race: Boardwalk Runners Half Marathon
City: Atlantic City
Cost: $40.00

This was my first time visiting New Jersey.  The boardwalk area reminded me of the French Quarter in New Orleans.  Nice areas with seedy areas within a block.  We arrived at the Boardwalk, checked into the Comfort Inn a block or so off the boardwalk near the host casino and headed to the casino to pickup our race packets.  Included in the packet was a free buffet at the host casino.  Carb loading problem solved!

Race options included a 5k, 10k, half marathon, and marathon.  Three of the four races started in one direction with the marathon heading the opposite direction at a shared start line.  This made for the most unique race start that I have witnessed to date.  You had marathon runners lined up on the hotel side of the boardwalk with all other racers lined up on the ocean side of the boardwalk with one chip mat across the boardwalk.

I ran within a minute of my half marathon the day before on a much flatter course.  I experienced tightness in my back towards the end of the race.... may have been the hills from the Baltimore half the day before catching up with me.

New Jersey was my last new state run in 2007.  I would run one more 1/2 marathon in 2007 for a total of 13 half marathons run in 12 states (10 new states).  It was also my speediest year with my top 4 times and 9 of my top 15 times coming in 2007 half marathons.

Up next: Michigan