newjerseynewsroom.com

BY JERRY MILANI

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Sunday marks the 16th running of The New Jersey Marathon through eight Shore towns.  But the impact of the race extends well beyond the picturesque streets of Oceanport, Monmouth Beach, Asbury Park and the others.  And while each of the 10,000-plus men, women and teens expected to compete has his or her own reason for pounding out 26.2 or 13.1 miles, for some the challenge has extra special meaning.

Below are some stories shared by runners who will be running, jogging, walking and wheeling their way along the Shore.  There are cancer survivors, those who have battled weight issues, diabetes or other diseases and ailments.  Some will be on the course against all odds, or in memory of a loved one, or in support of a cause close to their hearts.  But, most importantly, they will be challenging themselves in ways they may never have imagined.

Chris Sapienza of Baltimore was to run in support of his nephew to support the American Cancer Society.  But then his father was diagnosed with renal cancer, and his niece with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  “I’m now running,” he said, “inspired by both of them, to reach the finish line in support of the marathon they both face.”

Stephanie Goldberg of Hillsborough hated running from an early age, but 30 years later tried a 5K at the behest of a friend.  After a few more 5Ks, she set her sights on the half-marathon.  “My goal this Sunday is to finish, not walk and have a great time,” she said.

Claudia Rodriguez of Chicago is a dog lover who started the “Running To Rescue” Facebook page.  “My plan is to run as many races [as possible] and use them as a 

Mary Catherine and Brian Permenter of Hoboken have the extra motivation of their son Will, 7, who has battled Type 1 diabetes for four years.  Instead of raising money for a cure or for research on better treatments, they decided to do so for the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, where they take Will for his appointments.way reach out to other dog loving runners,” said Rodriguez, “and educate them on how important it is to get involved in the rescue community!”

Jacqui Klein of Middletown had never run a mile in her life before joining Team in Training to raise money to find a cure for cancer.  “To me this race is about learning a new sport at 51 years old, setting an example for my 19 year old daughter that you can do what you put your mind to at any age and most of all helping others.”

Elizabeth Drews of Warren is a passionate runner and mother of four children from ages 2-11 for whom “each and every race I run is an opportunity for me to become both mentally and physically stronger, allowing me to achieve my goals and improve my time.”

Similarly, Nicole Lenner of Short Hills is a mother of four born within 5 ½ years, whose life has revolved mainly around her children.  Last year she and a group of hockey moms decided to run the Long Branch Half-Marathon, her first race in a decade and longest distance ever.  “Running has given me the opportunity to once again do something separate from my children. I set goals and work really hard to achieve them.”

Allison Roth runs for Medals4Mettle, an Indianapolis-based charity that takes donated medals from events around the world and presents them to children and adults who are fighting debilitating illnesses and might not be able to run a race, but rather are in a race of their own just to continue to live their lives.

Kathy and Tom Maskery of Wyckoff completed “Team Maskery” by convincing their grown daughters to join them in training, even if it took a little bribery in the form of promises to “stop at the chocolate store in Pier Village as well as have several cold beers at Rooneys after the finish line.”