Runners enter Ocean Grove at the North End via Mt. Hermon Way. Photos and videos by Paul Goldfinger, editor at Blogfinger.net.  Click to enlarge

Who knew ballerinas ran marathons? Asbury Ave. Blogfinger photo © March 26, 2015

Kosher style. Blogfinger photo. April 26, 2015. Ocean Grove

Founder’s Park. NJ Marathon. 2015. ©

Thousands of runners entered Ocean Grove at the North End via Mt. Hermon Way, Benson Ave and then onto Asbury Avenue into mid-town.  It was a magnificent day–sunny and cool.  Spirits were high, and cheerleaders  (volunteers)  along the route urged them on.  The race reached us at about the 17 mile marker, so most of the participants seemed to be still energetic.  The participants got to run through Founders Park, Ocean Pathway, Ocean Avenue, Central Avenue, Auditorium Park and a  number of other Grover streets as well.   The town looked beautiful this morning, and I bet some of those runners were amazed.

The runners laughed with the watchers and shared comments and jokes.  One female viewer held up a sign aimed, I think, at women.  It said , “Run as if a hot guy is in front of you and a grim guy is behind!”  Then there was a sign about “Hunger Games,” but I didn’t get that.  A “coach” in a tutu ran alongside runners who were dragging.

I was taking photos, and one runner saw the BF hat and was explaining to his teammate what Blogfinger meant. Some mugged for the camera while others were lost in a musical haze, earphones shutting out any noise.  Instead of applause, it seemed like most on the sidelines were  whooping.  Since when do parade and marathon watchers whoop instead of clapping or saying YAY!!.?    I think it’s worse noise pollution than wind chimes. Whistles were blowing as officials made sure that nobody got lost.

The runners clothing was a treat—all kinds of colors, fashions and messages were evident. I saw a beautiful woman in spandex.  She was tired—- walking instead of running, but I thought, “I love slow motion.”    I saw one orthodox Jewish woman wearing a shirt that said, “Passsaic Orthodox Women Runners.” Wow.  I never saw an orthodox woman make bacon or run. Go figure?

 I even saw a man running in a dress…I mean a kilt.  And I saw an Indian  (you know, the Hindu variety) in the race as well.  I had no idea. I felt I had to encourage him, so I said something like, “Way to go.” and he stopped and politely said, “Thank you very much sir.” and off he went.

It was a fine finish in the Grove as the runners came through Founders Park off Central.   They ran past glorious yellow forsythias and a lovely newly flowering red bush of some sort; then they went by  the big beautiful fountain/planter  and then across the bridge to Asbury, a trip for thousands that symbolizes our relationship to our neighbor to the north.

We will soon post a portrait gallery—-Faces of NJ Marathon runners as they pass through Ocean Grove.

DANNY AND THE JUNIORS:

—Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger