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Residents and visitors are preparing to hit the sand and boards to compete for a good cause. This weekend the famed Ocean City Boardwalk will welcome all participants to partake in three walks and runs, as well as the 21st annual O.C. Triathlon/Duathlon. 


In Ocean City, there’s no
better way to celebrate the month of May and start the summer season off right than with a handful of cool races for worthy causes. 


The American Heart Association Heart Walk is the first to kick off Saturday morning, May 19, at the Sports & Civic Center on 6th Street and the Boardwalk. The local community-service and advocacy walk is an Ocean City effort to promote and safeguard healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a heart-healthy diet and active living. For months, southern New Jersey has pulled together to build awareness, assemble teams and raise funds for the cause, culminating with the Heart Walk.


Meanwhile, the third annual Miles for Melanoma 5K Run and Fitness Walk is also scheduled for Saturday morning. According to the American Cancer Society, the estimated risk of developing invasive melanoma in the United States is just 1-in-41 for men and 1-in-61 for women. The walk honors the memory of Andrea Sheridan, who passed away on May 28, 2009, just two-and-a-half months after being diagnosed with stage-four melanoma. It was created by Sheridan’s daughter, Carly Bauermaster, who wanted to find a way to keep her mother’s memory alive while raising awareness and seeking a cure for the disease that took her life.


“After my mom passed away I got in touch with the national director of Miles for Melanoma to set this up,” says Bauermaster. “My mom loved the beach, so we chose Ocean City, particularly the 34th Street area where my family vacationed. 


“We just wanted to do something to keep everyone coming back each year and remember her. And May is also Melanoma Awareness Month.”


All of the funds raised by the Miles for Melanoma walk and run will be donated to the Melanoma Research Foundation to help fight and find a cure for the deadly skin disease. The event takes place during low tide, allowing participants to run on hard sand by the water’s edge. It begins on the beach at Ocean City’s 34th Street and proceeds south past 49th Street before returning to the starting point.


Ocean City’s 21st annual Triathlon/Duathlon begins at the break of dawn Sunday, May 20, at the Aquatic and Fitness Center between 17th and 18th streets on Simpson Avenue. A warm-up is scheduled for 6-7:30am, then participants will compete in a quarter-mile (16 laps, eight laps for kids) timed race in the aquatic-club’s pool. Biking and running will follow at 9am, starting with a 16-mile bike course (eight miles for kids) that leaves from West Avenue.


“It’s a great season-opener race and it’s also a great first-timer’s race,” says Lisa Rumer, program coordinator at the Aquatic and Fitness Center. 


Rumer founded the event more than two decades ago with the goal of giving participants a fun way to reach their workout goals and get in shape for summer, tweaking it each year to make it more enjoyable.


“You’ve got to start getting the kinks out sometime, and May just seems like the time to do it,” says Rumer. 


Race day sign-ups are still available; call Rumer at (609) 525-9317 to register and join in the fun.


The fourth annual South Jersey Walk for Lupus starts Sunday at 10am on the Boardwalk. Beginning and ending at the Ocean City Music Pier, participants choose between a 2k or 4k course, with proceeds benefiting the programs and services of the Lupus Foundation of America’s Philadelphia Tri-State Chapter, which serves southern New Jersey, Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania.


After hibernating all winter, runners, bikers and swimmers will be out in full force in Ocean City, competing, exercising and spreading awareness to various causes, many of whom have friends or family or were themselves personally impacted by the maladies they seek to defeat. Each event has been inspired, coordinated and directed by people of passion and motivation.

Saturday, May 19
American Heart Association Heart Walk

Sports & Civic Center, 6th & Boardwalk,
registration 9am. Walk 10:30am. 
856-546-5600.


Miles for Melanoma 5k Run & Walk
34th Street Beach.
Registration – 9am. Run begins 10am. Registration fee is $25 if registered online before May 12th, $30 day of event. 717-538-4359. 
blackoutmelanoma.com.

Sunday, May 20

Ocean City Triathlon/Duathlon
Various locations.
Registration fee. Free to spectators. ocnj.us. 


OCFPL - The Icons of Jazz - Lecture Series
Ocean City Library , 1735 Simpson Ave., Ocean City.
Louis Armstrong; Duke Ellington; Dizzy Gillespie; Charlie Parker; Thelonious Monk; McCoy Tyner; Sonny Rollins; John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley, plus more. Located in the Lecture Room, 110. This series will document and explore why these musicians are so important to the overall history and development of Jazz. There will be lecture, discussion, music, and film. Free. 2-3:30pm. 


Walk for Lupus Now South Jersey
Register at the 6th St. practice field, 6th St. off the boardwalk. 2K and 4K walks. Registration 9am, walk begins 10am. 302-622-8700. walkforlupusnowsouthjersey.org.


Wednesday, May 23
O.C. Opera Fest Fundraiser.
Ocean City Yacht Club, 100 Bay Rd. O.C.
Opera Fest International is an exchange program that sponsors local singing talent performances in Germany and brings young German talent to Ocean City. The fundraiser will be a lively musical preview of what her performers will present in Germany. There will be a grand buffet of chocolate desserts and more. Tickets are $30 for adults, $35 at the door and $15 for children 12 and under. 7pm. 399-7291. foxvocalarts.com. 


Friday, May 25
Unlocking of the Ocean & Business Persons Plunge

Beach at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace.
Participants dress in business suits, carry brief cases and march into the ocean to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance to welcome the new season. Free. Noon. 525-9300.


Saturday, May 26
Tony Mart Presents - Rockin’ The Ocean City Music Pier.
Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. A tribute to the horn band of the 70’s – Chicago, featuring a nine-piece SOS Show Band. $20. 653-6069.


Sunday, May 27

Barks on the Boards
Registered dogs can walk on the boardwalk from noon–2pm. At 1pm there will be a canine contest held in front of the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Free. 398-9500. hsocnj.org.


OCFPL - The Icons of Jazz - Lecture Series

Ocean City Library , 1735 Simpson Ave., Ocean City.
Louis Armstrong; Duke Ellington; Dizzy Gillespie; Charlie Parker; Thelonious Monk; McCoy Tyner; Sonny Rollins; John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley, plus more. Located in the Lecture Room, 110. This series will document and explore why these musicians are so important to the overall history and development of Jazz. There will be lecture, discussion, music, and film. Free. 2-3:30pm. 


Monday, May 28

Memorial Day Service
Veterans Memorial Park, 5th& Wesley Ave. Free. 11am. 525-9300. 


Friday, June 1 to June 3

Ocean City Flower Show 
Music Pier,
Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Commerical and amateur displays. Show times are Friday 2-9pm, Saturday 10am-9pm and Sunday, 10am-4pm. 525-9300.


Sunday, June 3

Mitchell McAllister OC Walk
6th St. practice field. The Walk is in memory of teen Mitchell McAllister and raises funds to support the Emmanuel Cancer Foundations Direct Service Programs. Proceeds will support families in South Jersey who are faced with the challenges of caring for a child with cancer. Registration 8:30am. 856-853-4803. 
emmanuelcancer.org.


Nor’easters vs Jersey Express
Carey Stadium, 6th St. and Atlantic Ave. Soccer. Half time events include a Lil Kickz demonstration and an introduction to our Ocean City FC youth teams. Free entry to any youth soccer player on Ocean City FC summer teams. $8 Adults. $4 children. 7pm. 525-9999. OceanCityFC.com


Wednesday, June 6

Farmer’s Market

O.C. Tabernacle, Wesley Avenue. Farmer’s Market every Wednesday. 8am-1pm. 525-9300.


Thursday, June 7

Wonder’s Brithday Bash at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier
Wonderland Pier, 6th St. and Boardwalk. All rides will be only 1 Ticket and at 9pm see a birthday bash fireworks show. Rides open at 6pm and Wonder Bear will be available all night for photos. Celebrating 82 years on the Ocean City Boardwalk. 399-7082.


Friday, June 8
Nor’easters vs Reading United

Carey Stadium, 6th Street & Atlantic Avenue. Soccer. ‘School’s Day’ invites kids from all our local schools to enjoy a game of top quality soccer. Free entry to any youth soccer player on Ocean City FC summer teams. $8 Adults $4 Kids. 7pm. 525-9999. OceanCityFC.com


Saturday, June 9
HSOC Family Golf Tournament

Ocean City Golf Course, 25th & Bay Ave.
Family golf outing to benefit Humane Shelter residents. 8:30am. Registration is $30 per person or $100 a foursome and includes lunch. 398-9500. hsocnj.org.


Ocean City Police Chase 5k
Boardwalk, regstration O.C.H.S., 501 Atlantic Ave..
5K Footrace, 2 Mile Fitness Walk. Proceeds will benefit the Ocean City Po­lice Benevolent Association who sup­port Scholarships for High School seniors, The Christmas toy drive, and distribution of free bike helmets with the funds they raise throughout the year. 525-9108. ocpba.com.


Sunday, June 10
Nor’easters vs Baltimore Bohemians
Carey Stadium, 6th Street & Atlantic Avenue. Soccer. Half time events includes the 3rd Annual soccer game between the Ocean City Fire Dept and Ocean City Police Dept as part of a long running rivalry to raise money for each department’s Benevolent Fund. Free entry to any youth soccer player on Ocean City FC summer teams. $8 Adults $4 Kids. 7pm. 525-9999. OceanCityFC.com n