JOSC Announces Sledgehammer Beach Run

The Jacksonville-Onslow Sports Commission will once again host the Marine Federal Credit Union Sledgehammer Beach Run featuring a Half Marathon, 10K and 5K on Saturday, February 4th. Runners will start at Beach Access #2

(2950 Island Dr.), North Topsail Beach. Pre-race ceremonies will begin at approximately 8:15am and the race will start at 8:30am (based on set-up in relation to high tide).

Last year’s event had 303 runners, a 52% percent increase from the previous year. Even better, as far as our mission in concerned, 52% (coincidence?) of participants were also from outside of our area. Partnerships with Onslow County Parks and Recreation, local hotels and the town of North Topsail Beach help make the event possible.

This year, Salty Turtle Beer Company will also provide a beer for our 10K and Half Marathon participants to help with recovery. The race is named after Eugene “Sledgehammer” Sledge. The mission statement is: To honor the memory of Sledgehammer and All Combat Veterans." Sledge was a lifelong Marine who spent the remainder of his post war years coming to terms with what he and his fellow combatants experienced during World War II.

It is with this in mind that a portion of "Sledgehammer Race Series" proceeds will benefit the Semper Fi and America’s Fund. Semper Fi and America’s Fund provides urgently needed resources and support for combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.