The Jacksonville-Onslow Sports Commission will host its annual Sledgehammer Half-Marathon, 10K, and 5K beach runs on Saturday, Apr. 11.
The races will take place at Beach Access No. 2 on Island Drive in North Topsail Beach, with pre-race ceremonies beginning at 8:15 a.m. and the race starting at 8:30 a.m. Organizers said more than 500 runners are already registered.
The event is named in honor of Eugene “Sledgehammer” Sledge, a U.S. Marine who served in World War II with the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific Theater. Sledge later became a biology professor and author of the memoir “With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa,” which detailed his combat experiences.
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The race series honors Sledge and all combat veterans. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Semper Fi & America’s Fund, which supports wounded, critically ill, and injured service members and their families.