Semper Five Marine Run Draws Runners and Families

The starting line for the one mile run is filled with runners ready to take to the course during the Sept. 15 Seaside Semper Five 5 K and 1-mile Run. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)

SEASIDE HEIGHTS – It was a sunny Saturday morning two years ago when a pipe bomb detonated inside a Seaside Park garbage can. The pipe bomb had been planted there by a terrorist who is now serving a life sentence. The event signaled the cancellation of the 2016 Semper Five Marine Corps Charity 5 Kilometer Run.

The event returned last year with additional security by various county, state and municipal law enforcement and a move from Seaside Park to Seaside Heights. The turnout for last year’s event, much like this year’s held on Sept. 15, grew tremendously.

“The turnout last year was overwhelming and it was a way for people to say, we won’t be intimidated by any terrorist,” Toms River Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher, who served as master of ceremonies for the event and is a retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel.

Kelaher added that, as in 2017, “we have many law enforcement agencies here and we appreciate all of them for making it safe.”

The starting line for the one mile run is filled with runners ready to take to the course during the Sept. 15 Seaside Semper Five 5 K and 1-mile Run. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)

“My husband was 20 feet away from where the garbage can exploded,” Erin Reynolds of Forked River said as she held her 2-year-old son Grayson. “I was pregnant but was still going to run that year. I was on the starting line when it was called in. It was scary but I feel safe today. They stepped up the security and I think there are enough security here to keep the bad guys away.”

Reynolds is a member of the Bella In Motion Running team. “We have 20 members and we have 12 or 13 running today.”

Her mother-in-law, Marge Reynolds of Toms River, was there as well to lend some moral support for her run. “I’m a walker and I’m slow,” Marge Reynolds said with a chuckle.

“Eileen Sochasko of Pine Beach said she and her husband had not been part of the event that year. “We try to do it every year.”

Sochasko brought along her 2-year-old son Andy for the sunny day run. “It is a beautiful day. They did a great job with security and it is a good day for a run. My husband Matt is doing the 5 K. It is a nice day to come out after the week of rain we’ve had.”

The Hannigan family of Haddon Heights were enjoying the sunshine as well. They were pulling a wagon featuring a small American flag containing their daughters Lucy and Isabelle.

Seaside Semper Five runner Erin Reynolds, Lacey, left, joins her son Grayson, 2, and her mother-in-law Marge Reynolds of Toms River during the annual event held on the Seaside Heights boardwalk. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)

“This is our first time,” Jackie Hannigan said. She said that she and her husband Dan were “very excited and we haven’t even run yet but I love the atmosphere here and we are planning to come back next year.”

Lucy and Isabelle made a special sign for her mom to support her participation in the event. “They are my cheering squad,” Jackie Hannigan said.

Heather Viveiros of Massachusetts carried two flags including an American flag and a jacket featuring a variety of military patches and patriotic running pants that featured the symbols of each branch of the military. She is the founder of the Stride and Ride Relay to be held in Boston on Oct. 6.  The course goes to Washington, D.C. and is 911 miles.

Race Director Dr. Frank Costello spoke about the work of the Marine Raider Foundation which is the fundraising cause of the run. Since May of 2012, the foundation has provided over $3,100,000 in support to Marines, Sailors and families of Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC).

The foundation’s goal is to meet the unmet needs by the government and other agencies, with a focus on resiliency through its main programs which include funding to implement an executive-level transition program for Raiders stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, funding to offset expenses resulting from uncovered medical treatments and travel for 15 Raider families, funding for 18 family resiliency events hosted by Marine Raider Battalions and funding to bring a dozen World War II Marine Raiders to the 2018 Marine Raider Reunion hosted by the Marine Raider Association held in July in Washington, D.C.

Law enforcement officers watch the scene from a high vantage point to ensure security following a terrorist incident that took place two years ago. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)

Costello said 95 percent of the proceeds from the day’s event will be donated to the U.S. Marine Raider Foundation which is a national charity “benefitting Marines and Sailors who have been injured, wounded, or who have lost their lives in service to our nation, as well as their families. Costello also thanked News 12 New Jersey for being a sponsor to the event and promoting it.

Among the several thousand people who came out to run and support the event were 50 members of Team Stash who wore a team T-shirt and were running in the 5 kilometer event in honor of Stanley Stash Matejkowski Jr. This year’s Seaside Semper Five was dedicated to “Stash,” a resident of the borough who died at age 92 on July 14. The team was made up of his family and friends. Stash had supported the event since its inception five years ago. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II and took part in two of the war’s most significant battles, Guam and Iwo Jima.

He was wounded during Iwo Jima, where more than 6,800 Marines and Sailors lost their lives. He was awarded the Purple Heart. Team Stash raised more than $1,800 for the Marine Raider Foundation.

Heather Viveiros dons patriotic attire as she promotes an upcoming run in Boston called the Stride Ride Relay to take place next month. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)

Mayor Anthony Vaz was pleased with the day’s event. “We had a nice crowd and it was for a good cause and a lot of time and effort went into it by the members of the event committee. I saw a lot of kids running and we had a lot of families. It made for a good family event.”

The mayor also took note of the many law enforcement officers and the state police helicopter that hovered over the running course and boardwalk during the morning which contributed to it being secure.