On a brisk and windy but dry Saturday morning April 25th 2026 the Inaugural Simon’s Heart of a Champion 5K Run/Walk was held in Surf City, NJ. The inaugural event consisted of approximately 235 live registrants and 25 volunteers with another 40 virtual race registrants.
Participants included teams from MTS Health Partners, New Jersey Hospital Association, Withum, Heavenly Temptations (both live and virtual), 814 Hold the Line, family and friends of Simon Mariani, local residents and individuals who had heard about Simon’s tragedy and who were inspired to show up and support in his honor. Family members travelled from as far away as upstate New York, western Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina to participate in the Surf City event and remember and honor Simon.
“Never forgotten, always remembered”
Proceeds from the event were jointly shared by the Simon J. Mariani Foundation, Inc. and the Surf City Volunteer Fire & EMS Co.; both recognized IRS charitable tax-exempt organizations. The Surf City Volunteer Fire & EMS Co. annually responds to approximately 1,000 fire, EMS and water occurrences annually. Both organizations would like to thank all race participants, volunteers and also individuals who could not participate but made a charitable donation in support of the event.
The Simon J. Mariani Foundation, Inc. would also like to thank its Legacy Sponsors for their support of the Foundation since forming last September as well as this event. In addition, both the Foundation and the Surf City Fire would like to thank all the Simon’s Heart of a Champion 5K Run/Walk sponsors including Presenting Sponsor Med-Metrix for all their support. We also want to thank Pretzel Factory of Manahawkin and Wally’s who donated pretzels and bananas for race finishers. Lastly, the Foundation and the Surf City Fire would like to thank the Surf City Mayor Francis R. Hodgson and the Surf City council for approving the Inaugural Simon’s Heart of a Champion 5K Run/Walk, the Surf City Police Chief John N. Casella Jr. for his support and the great job done by the Surf City Police Department and the Fire Police for all their assistance on Race Day.
An email to the Foundation from a live race participant following the event:
“Good morning –
we just wanted to congratulate you on a job well done yesterday. Our family really enjoyed participating in the 5k honoring your son. It is so touching to see how you keep his spirit alive through the foundation and I wish you continued success.
The race was well organized, safe and festive. Despite the early hour, we got the best part of the day weather-wise…it was perfect!
We look forward to running again for Simon.”
