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Keep your eye peeled for the runners because its over in a flash. Two Downbeach communities are celebrating the 4th of July with their annual 1-mile fun runs, a great way to get a little exercise after vegging on the beach all day long. Both runs are held in the evening hours so you won't miss any beach time, and because they are on different days, you can participate in both events.
Ventnor's 48th annual Ventnor Mile and Independence Day Celebration will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 3 on the Boardwalk at Newport Avenue.
Registration begins at the Ventnor Community Building at the rear of the Atlantic County Library/Ventnor, 6500 Atlantic Ave., starting at 6 p.m. or you can register online through the city's website, ventnorcity.org. T-shirts will be provided to those who pre-register and on race day while supplies last.
The race includes recognition for various male and female categories, starting with 8 and unders, pre-teens, teens, adults and over 70 categories. Awards will be presented to first, second and third place winners in each caetgory.
Registration is $15 for adults, $10 for children under 11. The parent/child combo fee is $20.
The event is sponsored by the Recreation Department and OceanFirst Bank.
For more information, call the Rec Dept. at 609-823-7950.
Longport Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual American Mile, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4 with a new route this year.
The start and finish will take place on Atlantic Avenue in front of the Longport Historical Society Museum, 2303 Atlantic Ave. The route will travel south toward Longport Point with a turn-around at 16th Avenue.
Residents who live along the route should note that the road will be closed for an hour to accommodate the runners.
T-shirts will be available for the first 500 registrants. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in various age-group categories similar to the Ventnor run.
Online registration is $5 for children under 10 and $10 for adults until 5 p.m. Sunday, June 30. Race day registration is $10 for children under 10 and $15 for adults.
Race day registration will be held at the firehouse 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. The firehouse is located behind the Historical Society Museum.
Participants are invited to enjoy some burgers, hot dogs and drinks at the firehouse after the race.
To register, see https://runsignup.com/race/NJ/longport/theamericanmile
For more information about sponsorships, email Chris Ricciotti at [email protected].
