#95 - April Fools: A Long Running Joke for Atlantic City Marathon Racers
Covid ruined many events last year but the Atlantic City Marathon is back in full swing. Who will have the last laugh? The April Fools races are going on in-person but with the added virtual option to accommodate all runners, whether you’re local or out-of-state. Join us for April Fools!
April Fools 2021 Race Info - Atlantic City Marathon
Atlantic City’s AmeriHealth NJ April Fools Half Marathon is off to the races once again! We are just a few weeks away from racing weekend, April 24th and 25th. Streets are being closed off and the beachfront boardwalk will be cleared for a smooth, level marathon track.
This is a dream route for competitive runners in the springtime. Coach Tadris of Keep Calm and Run To The Best You highly recommends the boardwalk surface for running. It’s a perfect balance of stability and “give” to absorb impact. Running on the boardwalk is easier on your joints than running on asphalt or concrete, or even the shifting sand.
Cool ocean breezes and sunshine make for comfortable racing conditions on a (hopefully) beautiful day in Southern New Jersey. Like all Atlantic City Marathon races, the April Fools event is rain or shine, but the AccuWeather forecast shows that race weekend will be 61-63 degrees with plenty of sunshine. No tricks or pranks - April Fools is going to be epic!
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Schedule, Routes, and Tickets
The Atlantic City Marathon 2021 race day schedule and route maps are posted online. You can even see where restrooms and hydration stations are located along your route. There will be an overall best award for the fastest runner and awards given to the top three males and top three females in each age group, from teens to seniors and everyone in between.
Tickets to the April Fools Half-Marathon are already sold out, but you can still sign up for the Jester Challenge by April 10th (which includes the half marathon and 8K). If you’re more of a walker than a runner, you can still participate in the challenge. The Half Marathon course will be open for 4 hours, so you’ll finish the race if you’re walking at a pace of 18.32 minutes per mile.
New Covid-19 Rules for the Atlantic City Marathon Series
Staggered start times, social distancing traffic patterns, and hand sanitation stations will help to make this running event compliant with Covid-19 guidelines. Masks are required everywhere except for while actively running the race. Runners must comply with safety rules and can be disqualified if unmasked at the starting line. Starting line cameras will be used to enforce this.
We connected with Race Director Genia Bittner to ask her what we can expect for the 2021 April Fools races. There will be age group awards for the half marathon but no monetary awards will be given this year. The staggered start would unfairly impact those results.
“Our main focus is returning safely to racing on the Atlantic City Boardwalk for the first time in over a year,”Genia Bittner said. There has been a lot of interest in the April Fools Half Marathon since people were locked out of gyms and left to train on their own for the past eight to twelve months. Now that gyms in NJ are reopening, people are motivated to get themselves into shape and get back to running.
“The half marathon is sold out. There are limited spaces available in the Jester Challenge and about 200 in the 8K. We are excited about the positive response and look forward to putting on an exciting event while following all the needed guidelines.”
The award ceremony will be virtual via Facebook Live and trophies will be mailed to all winners.
2021 Atlantic City Marathon: In-Person and Virtual Options
Last year, the April Fools race was changed to a virtual-only running event. The winners list included people from Florida, Ohio, and Illinois, plus many others from up and down the state of New Jersey. There were no prizes given and it was difficult to monitor the race.
This year will be ten times better.
In 2021, The Atlantic City Marathon Series is offering both options. Racing in-person is what most runners prefer, but virtual registration is available for those who do not want to participate in the race onsite with other runners. NJ adheres to the CDC recommendations for travel quarantines for those coming into New Jersey. Non-essential travel is still strongly discouraged.
What’s great about virtual racing is that New Jersey’s stringent travel rules won’t apply to runners living in other states. No matter where you live, you can still get involved with the Atlantic City Marathon events this year!
Tadris Parker + Atlantic City Marathon Series = Great Team
Tadris has a history with the Atlantic City Marathon Series. He ran his first ever 10k at the April Fools event in 2014. Competed in his first ever half marathon in October 2014. Coach Tadris had the opportunity to speak from stage at the Expo on the topics "Bringing Mindfulness To Your Running Experience" & "How To Incorporate Walk Breaks For Better Running" in 2019
Coach Tadris helped with a tumultuous 2020 by going Facebook Live with Genia Bittner to give the fans of the Atlantic City Marathon Series a sense of normalcy by celebrating their efforts although virtual.
This year Coach Tadris will be going for his third consecutive Triple Threat: The springtime April Fools race, the early summer Bungalow Beach Run, and the AC Marathon which takes place in October. Tadris has coached a long list of members through his Keep Calm And Run To The Best You Run a 5K training program - local runners who are happy to join him in the Atlantic City Marathon races.
Coach Tadris catches up with Chris Ballard of Galloway, NJ to capture her first experience with the Atlantic City Marathon
The partnership is mutually beneficial. The Atlantic City Marathon Series sponsored Coach Tadris last month as he took the 4x4x48 Challenge - a challenge arguably more difficult than a full marathon, since it requires all weather, around-the-clock runs for two consecutive days. Each of these two local organizations share a passion for running and fitness, inspiring others to train and practice. They both share a desire to help others through fundraising, such as supporting local groups like Faces 4 Autism, because there’s nothing better than running for a great cause!
Register Yourself for An Upcoming Race and Train with Coach Tadris!
Instead of reading all about the great experiences others are having with their running practice and fitness goals, why don’t you take a big leap for yourself? Sign up for the Run a 5K training program and work alongside Coach Tadris to get you to your upcoming goal! Join Keep Calm And Run To The Best You to work out with us each week and let’s share in this journey together.