Event Description

1 mile fun run and 5k in Seaside Park NJ to honor and remember fallen town hero, Sgt John Lyons. All proceeds go to Ocean Running Club Scholarship and Wounded Warrior Project. The run is fun, flat, and fast on the bay! 

The run is held in memory of our dear friend and fallen soldier, Sgt. John Lyons. Sgt. Lyons grew up in Seaside Park, attending Central Regional High School. He was a graduate of Rutgers University.  Upon graduating college he went on to serve his country as an engineer in the army. He was part of Operation Enduring Freedom, assigned to 8th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas. Our dear friend and hero was killed on October 26, 2011 in Afghanistan, just four weeks before he was due to return home. Sgt. Lyons, as a soldier, was extremely motivated, receiving numerous honors and awards.  Some of which are, The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, NATO Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, The Overseas, Army Service and National Defense Ribbons, and The Global War on Terrorism. We chose a run to reunite and remember because John was a dedicated runner.  He led his team to victory in the annual Bataan Death March in New Mexico (a marathon in the desert).

In his honor, the Padavano family and many amazing volunteers will be coordinating the 8th Annual 5k race in Seaside Park. Proceeds will be donated in John’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project (a program assisting injured soldiers) and to the ORC scholarship fund. The date for the event is Saturday June 6, 2020.