Up And Running: Kinesio Tape At The Jersey Shore

By Christine Scarano PT, DPT, CKTI

As anyone training for a marathon knows, it’s not only the accomplishment of crossing the finish line, it’s also about the journey and the training that got you there. When Hurricane Sandy devastated the New Jersey shore in October of 2012, local communities faced great adversity. As race directors for the 2013 New Jersey Marathon surveyed the eight towns that host the race, it came down to the wire to design a course that was safe for the runners. Areas of the picturesque boardwalk would have to be eliminated because… well… there was no boardwalk. And it wasn’t only the local communities that were affected by adversity. Less than three weeks before the May 4th 2013 New Jersey Marathon weekend, the running community was shaken by the Boston Marathon bombing. These two catastrophic events created waves of compassion and strength as communities rallied and supported those affected to come together and move forward.

The 2013 New Jersey Marathon saw over 11,000 participants complete the full, half, and relay distances. Many ran to support charities, others came to support the running community, and all of them, whether they knew it or not helped the Jersey Shore on another step to get up and running. The Kinesio Taping^® Association was present at the finish line helping elite and beginner runners alike. The recovery area saw hundreds of runners throughout the day, and many experienced the benefits of Kinesio Taping^® applications from certified practitioners. From plantar fasciitis to back pain, calf and quad strains, runners were taped, massaged, stretched, and iced and all vowed to run another day.

This year, the New Jersey Marathon has even greater goals. For a second year, Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company with over 90 years of diabetic care innovations, is a major sponsor of this year’s race. Shaping NJ, a state-wide initiative for making healthy choices, also joins the NJ Marathon efforts to inspire runners, and non-runners to be brilliant and commit to a healthy lifestyle. The April 25-27, 2014 weekend will host a health fair at the Monmouth Park Race Track in Oceanport, NJ. The events are open to the public, and include kids events, as well as a 5k. The Kinesio Taping^® Association will also be part of the free speaker series that offers information regarding the latest: racing, nutrition, hydration, health, and injury prevention & recovery tips. Sunday will culminate with the half marathon and marathon events.

The NJ Marathon is a certified UST&F event. It is a flat course, as well as a B.A.A. Boston Marathon qualifier, and the race is a popular event for novice and experienced runners alike.

You can find more information on this year’s event by visiting the official website: http://www.usroadsports.com/Signature/NewJersey/ or by visiting the Facebook^® page.

If you would like to volunteer in the recovery efforts, please contact Christine Scarano PT, DPT, CKTP at: recovery@njmarathon.org