Cape May County Welcomes the 18th Annual NJ Run For The Fallen

On Thursday, September 24, 2026, Cape May County will become the stage for the 18th Annual NJ Run For The Fallen, a moving tribute that threads through several shore towns and pauses at sixty specially‑designated Hero Markers.

The idea is simple yet powerful: each mile run represents a New Jersey active‑service member who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on Terror. After every mile, the runners stop at a Hero Marker, where a flag and a personalized biographical card are presented to the family or friends waiting there.

Our local American Legion Post 524 in Ocean City has been part of the event since its inception in 2009, and this year they’re once again playing a central role. The day will kick off at 7:40 a.m. from Sunset Beach in Cape May Point. From there, the course snakes through Cape May Point, Cape May City, Lower Township, Wildwood Crest, Wildwood, Stone Harbor/Avalon, Sea Isle City/Strathmere and finally arrives in Ocean City.

Before the run begins, a remembrance ceremony will be held on Wednesday, September 23, at the Naval Air Station Museum on Forrestal Road at Cape May Airport. Gold Star families, the core runners and the support crew will share a buffet dinner inside the museum, giving everyone a chance to connect and reflect.

When the team reaches Ocean City, there are 31 Hero Markers spread across 16 locations. The public is invited to arrive at least 45 minutes early, offering a quiet moment of gratitude for the sacrifices made by our servicemen, women, and their loved ones.

After the run, Post 524 will host a dinner for the Gold Star families, core runners and support team at its headquarters on West Avenue. “We’re honored to help honor New Jersey’s brave servicemen, servicewomen and their families,” said Legion Commander Bob Marzulli. “It’s a unique and moving event, and we welcome anyone who wants to join us along the route.”

For a full list of Hero Markers and more details, visit www.njrftf.org or contact Jack Hagan, Post 524 adjutant, at 609‑304‑3088.