The 23rd rendition of the Art Rooney Pace, which pays homage to the late, legendary Pittsburgh Steelers founding father, will be contested Saturday night, June 1, at Yonkers Raceway. The Rooney is worth $275,000.

Twelve 3-year-old colts and geldings are set to go at it in a pair of $40,000 eliminations on Saturday night, May 25, for the right to start in the Rooney. The first four finishers in each elim gain berth.

Here are the dozen sophomores seeking a spot in the Rooney finale (in alphabetical order with declared drivers: Bet the Moon (George Brennan), Doctor Butch (Tim Tetrick), Duel in the Sun (Corey Callahan), Good Day Mate (Brian Sears), Just Bettor (Brennan also listed), Lonewolf Currier (Sears also listed), Mach it So (Sears also listed), Sir Cary’s Z Tam (Pat Lachance), Source of Pride (Dave Miller), Sunfire Blue Chip (Yannick Gingras), Swift As a Shadow (Brennan also listed) and Visa Viper (Brennan also listed).

The Rooney family has owned the Raceway and Empire City Casino since 1972, and Timothy J. Rooney, one of Art’s five sons, has been president of the historic half-mile harness track, for the full 40 years.

Every Steelers fan knows the story of how Art Rooney, the team’s founder, funded the purchase of his football franchise in 1932 by a win on the horses. It was suggested that he won $250,000 – which is a lot of money today, let alone all those years ago. Fortunately for gridiron zealots and Steelers aficionados in particular, he decided to invest his money in a pro football team. And the rest, as they say, is history.

A landmark day of wrestling and international cooperation was capped by an historic evening of celebration and philanthropy on Wednesday as USA Wrestling and Beat The Streets Wrestling, Inc., a youth development organization that believes wrestling is the superlative tool for nurturing boys and girls into capable young men and women, teamed to raise a record of $1.5 million for the organization.  It began with “The Rumble on the Rails,” a pair of dual meets featuring top squads from USA, Iran and Russia, powerhouses in the sport, held at Grand Central Terminal, followed by the annual Beat the Streets Awards Gala at Bryant Park Grill.

Team USA dominated Russia on the evening card, winning eight of nine matches in an event broadcast live on Universal Sports.  The USA men’s freestyle team got things rolling by sweeping all five of their matches, as Coleman Scott, Logan Stieber, Brent Metcalf, David Taylor and Jordan Burroughs earned wins.  Helen Maroulis won her women’s freestyle event, and Kendrick Sanders and Ben Provisor took Greco-Roman matches, with Evgeni Saleev salvaging the final match for the Russians.  Earlier in the day, Iran defeated the USA, 6-1 in a men’s freestyle dual in the same venue, with four-time NCAA champion Kyle Dake winning for the Americans.

The event showed unique cooperation between the three nations as part of the Keep Olympic Wrestling movement.  Although their governments do not always agree, the wrestling leaders in these nations have a strong working relationship.

“The success of ‘The Rumble on the Rails’ and Beat The Streets Awards Gala show the strength and solidarity of the sport of wrestling, top to bottom and across international lines,” said Mike Novogratz, Beat The Streets Chairman. “The entire community has come together in support of the dual goals of regaining Olympic status in 2020 and helping Beat the Streets in its critical work of benefiting disadvantaged and at-risk youth through this great sport.”

The Gala also honored a host of athletes and contributors to wrestling during the evening. They included:

Become Your Own Dream Scholarship • Rosemary Flores, Curtis
Junior League Wrestler of the Year • David Berkovich, Elite Wrestling Club
Female Student-Athlete Award Winner •  Kim Cardenas, Petrides
Male Student-Athlete Award Winner • Kevin Tynes, Brooklyn Tech
Lady Liberty Award Winner • Rosemary Flores, Curtis
Atlas Award Winner • Adis Radoncic, Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy
Junior League Coach of the Year • Tim Prugar, New Heights Academy
Boys High School Assistant Coach of the Year • John Cichon, Petrides
Boys High School Coach of the Year • Chris Milani, Cardozo HS
Girls High School Coach of the Year • Chris Alena, Curtis
Man of the Year • Kyle Dake, Cornell University

ABOUT BEAT THE STREETS
The mission of Beat the Streets is to develop the full human and athletic potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the culture of New York City wrestling. BTSW works directly with the New York City Department of Education in a public-private partnership to help New York City’s student-athletes achieve their personal and athletic goals. Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs, BTSW and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life skills of physical fitness, teamwork, and self-empowerment. The goal of fostering strong, dedicated, and optimistic kids is delivered through coaching, after-school programs, and mentoring. More information can be found at www.beat-the-streets.org.

Argentine artist Julian Totino Tedesco will draw the third in a series of exclusive Wizard World variant covers of Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead #1 comic for Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 30 – June 2, it was announced today by Wizard World and Skybound, Kirkman’s imprint at Image Comics.  The covers proved to be extremely popular at Portland Comic Con in February and St. Louis Comic Con in March, celebrating the groundbreaking, Eisner Award-winning comic book series.

Tedesco will be on hand at the Pennsylvania Convention Center throughout the event to sign copies of the limited-edition comic, produced in extremely limited quantities and available to fans only while supplies last.  The first two covers were illustrated by Michael Golden (Portland) and Arthur Suydam (St. Louis).  A different superstar artist will draw the variant cover art for each of the five remaining scheduled Wizard World shows this year.  Neal Adams is drawing the cover for the NYC Experience (June 28-30), and more cover artists will be announced shortly.

Independent third-party comic book grading service CGC, a leader in the industry, will accept TWD #1 variant and Signature Series (must have a CGC witness) submissions at its Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con exhibitor booth.

Norman Reedus (“Daryl Dixon”), Michael Rooker (“Merle Dixon”) and Jon Bernthal (“Shane Walsh”), stars of the AMC series based upon The Walking Dead, will attend Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con.  Comics legend Stan Lee, “Firefly” and Serenity headliners Gina Torres and Summer Glau, John Barrowman of “Torchwood” and WWE® Superstar John Cena® are among the other top celebrity guests scheduled to appear.  They will be joined by a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions in the third event on Wizard World’s 2013 calendar and one of its flagship shows.

The Walking Dead graphic novels accounted for seven of the 10 bestselling titles of the year and were #1 overall for both 2011 and 2012.

Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTC.BB: WIZD), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Admission is free for kids 10 and under, and Sunday, June 2, is “Kids Day,” an array of programming specially designed for children. Event hours are Thursday, May 30, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, May 31, noon - 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Cover art to Avengers #15 by Leinil Yu

Marvel Entertainment will host two programming panels and conduct two portfolio reviews at the 2013 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con Friday, May 31, through Sunday, June 2 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The panels are entitled “MARVEL: Breaking Into Comics the Marvel Way,” set for Friday at 5 p.m.  Saturday’s panel, “MARVEL: From NOW! to Infinity,” will take place from 4-5 p.m.  Additionally, Marvel will be accepting portfolios on Friday and Saturday, and talent scout C.B. Cebulski and others will conduct reviews on Saturday and Sunday from 2-3:30 p.m. in Room 110.

“We are excited to bring an industry leader like Marvel to Wizard World shows,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO.  “Many of our fans have a close connection with the movies, comics and characters Marvel produces, and these two panels and review sessions are excellent additions to an already packed lineup for Philadelphia Comic Con attendees.”

Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee, co-creator of many of those characters, is among the headliners at Philadelphia Comic Con, which will be held May 30 – June 2.  “Torchwood” and Zero Dark Thirty star John Barrowman, “Serenity” and Firefly standouts Gina Torres and Summer Glau, William Shatner (“Star Trek,” “Boston Legal”), “The Walking Dead” trio of Michael Rooker, Norman Reedus and Jon Bernthal, Manu Bennett (“Arrow,” The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey) are among the top celebrities at the event. 

Barry Kitson (“Amazing Spider-Man”), Phil Noto (“Uncanny X-Force”), Khoi Pham (“Scarlet Spider”), Julian Totino Tedesco (“Thunderbolts”) and Leinil Yu (“Indestructible Hulk”) lead a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers, many with Marvel connections, attending the show.

The first panel, “Breaking Into Comics the Marvel Way,” features Kitson, Noto, Tedesco, Yu and Cebulski helping aspiring artists find out the answers on how to get their foot in the door and make their job MARVEL.

Then, “From NOW! to Infinity” highlights the current slate of Marvel NOW! titles and the forthcoming summer mega-event Infinity,  with editors Tom Brennan and Jake Thomas, Noto, Pham, Yu, Cebulski and other Marvel guests taking questions on what’s to come in the Marvel Universe. 

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con show hours are Thursday, May 30, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, May 31, noon – 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-pa.html.

Claude Okin, founder and CEO of SPORTIME, will serve as the coach of the NY Sportimes for the 2013 season, it was announced today.  Okin, who has been an active force in the Sportimes’ success as the owner of the Mylan World TeamTennis squad since the 2003 WTT season, will take on the coaching duties for the first time.  The Sportimes play their home matches at SEFCU Arena in Albany and at Sportime Stadium on Randall’s Island in Manhattan.

Claude purchased his first tennis club in 1981 at the age of 19, and founded SPORTIME in 1994.    Okin played collegiately at Vassar College and at New York University and has coached hundreds of players at all levels of the game.  In his role as CEO, he provides vision and leadership for all SPORTIME corporate directives, supervising SPORTIME’s Executive Management Team and managing  relationships with SPORTIME’s Partners and funding sources.

During his run as the owner of the Sportimes the team has claimed one Mylan WTT Championship (2005) and one other Eastern Conference Championship (2010).   The Sportimes advanced to the Mylan WTT playoffs last year with a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

“I am excited about the team we have put together for this year.  I am looking forward to leading the Sportimes back to the playoffs and to a shot at the Championship,” said Okin, a familiar sight on the Sportimes bench each season.  “With our captain Johnny Mac inspiring us, I think our 2013 team should be a great team to watch and to coach.  This is a veteran team including long time Sportime players Robert Kendrick and Jesse Witten on the men’s side and current top-10 doubles team Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Kveta Peschke for our women.  All of these folks know how to play and win in the TeamTennis format and I am looking forward to supporting them in my first season as coach.”

The Sportimes open the home schedule on July 9 vs. Springfield (featuring Andy Roddick) at SEFCU Arena in Albany, N.Y.  New York will play four other matches in Albany, on July 12, 15 (featuring Sloane Stephens for Philadelphia), 16 and 18 (featuring McEnroe vs. Orange County) and two at Sportime Stadium on Randall’s Island in New York City (July 22 vs. Texas, 23 vs. Washington).  McEnroe will be playing at Randall’s Island on July 22, and both matches at Randall’s Island will raise funds for the Johnny Mac Tennis Project, a charitable foundation established by McEnroe and Sportime to raise money to advance youth tennis in the NY Metropolitan area.  Billie Jean King will also be on site to support the charity and as part of a year-long celebration of the 40th anniversary of the “Battle of the Sexes” match between King and Riggs, which took place on September 20, 1973, in Houston.

Conference championships are scheduled for Thursday, July 25, at the home court of the higher of the top two seeds in each conference, and the season concludes with the Mylan WTT Finals presented by GEICO, on Sunday, July 28, at the site of the Eastern Conference champions.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has surely mastered the passing game, with two Super Bowl MVP trophies on his mantel. And in a recent podcast with Steiner Sports Founder and CEO Brandon Steiner, he reveals that since the birth of his daughter Ava Frances two years ago that “bath time is kind of my specialty. I’ve mastered it.”
 
Manning and his wife Abby have a second child on the way in June.
 
It should come as no surprise that Eli is a family man, since he comes from one of football’s most famous clans. Older brother Peyton, of course, is Denver’s superb QB and a Super Bowl champ in Indianapolis, while father Archie was the longtime field general for the New Orleans Saints. Eli revealed in the podcast that the most important guidance he ever received was from dad. “No one talks in the huddle. That’s rule one. That’s the first thing my dad told me as advice for being a quarterback,” he says. “If they’re talking, tell them to be quiet. I have to use some choice words, sometimes.”
 
Eli says that he is still yearns for yet a third championship. “That’s the thing about championships – once you experience one or two, you never get satisfied,” he says. “It’s a feeling you want again. It’s that high. I’ve never done drugs, but that’s what it must feel like. It’s a feeling you want again. Makes you work through the whole off-season and make that total commitment.”
 
“It takes 11 guys coming together and doing the right thing,” Manning tells Steiner. “There’s a mental aspect to being a quarterback – figuring out defenses, picking up protections. It’s like problem-solving.”
 
In the podcast, which can be listened to on Steiner’s blog – www.BrandonSteiner.com/blog - Manning also explains why the last Giants’ season went awry, how his teammates feel about his beloved country music, and why he had a Dwight Shrute (from The Office) bobblehead doll in his old locker.
 
NOTE – Anyone who leaves a comment on the blog post will be eligible to win an Eli-Manning-signed football.

(Brian Kirk & The Jirks, photo by Dave Lisowski)

As they pound the pavement during The New Jersey Marathon on Sunday, runners won’t miss a “beat” as a series of local bands and DJ’s will keep competitors and fans rocking through the afternoon around the course and at the Finish Line Festival, on the Long Branch Ocean Promenade, north of Pier Village and the Ocean Place Resort & Spa.  Brian Kirk & The Jirks, an institution of the Jersey Shore, will entertain the crowd at the Finish Line, headlining more than a dozen bands scheduled to perform at strategic spots along the 26.2 mile course.

Fun and interactive, Brian Kirk & The Jirks have entertained fans for nearly two decades.  The all star cast of musicians play with maturity, originality, accuracy, and pure love of the art form.

“The New Jersey Marathon is a great community event, and these talented musicians enhance the enjoyment of runners, families, fans and volunteers,” said Race Director Joe Gigas.  “With a variety of styles, there’s something for every musical taste and a just reward for the hard work that everyone has put into making the race so special.”

Other bands scheduled to appear at various points include Turtle Soup, Dubproof, Music Rehab, The Cobwebs, Face The King, Billy Hector, Williamsboy and RockNMusic, and DJs Alex Kayne, Zeena Koda and DJ Yum Yum will keep things fresh.  Others will be confirmed prior to race day.

With the theme “Up & Running,” the state’s premiere road race event is set to run through eight New Jersey towns, beginning at Monmouth Park in Oceanport and continuing through Monmouth Beach, Deal, Allenhurst, Lock Arbour, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove and Long Branch.  The race, which annually attracts thousands of competitors, volunteers and supporters, has taken on additional, poignant meaning to those still affected by the damage inflicted on the region by Superstorm Sandy in October.

A full weekend of activities for the whole family is scheduled for May 3-5, including the Novo Nordisk Health & Fitness Expo, Barnabas Health Family Festival and Kids Races, full marathon, half-marathon and half-marathon relay.

Registration for all events, course views, information about volunteering, sponsorship and details of the entire weekend of activities are available at the race Website at www.NJMarathon.org and the event Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NJMarathon.  Runners and fans are encouraged to follow The New Jersey Marathon on its Twitter @NJMarathon.

The New Jersey Marathon is owned by US Road Sports & Entertainment Group, which conducts road races nationwide.

Official sponsors of The New Jersey Marathon include Novo Nordisk, Barnabas Health and Investors Bank. 

About US Road Sports & Entertainment Group
US Road Sports & Entertainment Group is a health and wellness company dedicated to the production of world-class endurance events. The mission of US Road Sports is to offer an unparalleled participant sports experience that showcases host communities and endures as a deeply valued local asset through events that are a part of the city’s culture, identity and brand. For each participant, US Road Sports strives to offer events that allow participants of all skill levels the opportunity to improve their physical and mental health and accomplish life-altering goals while having fun. US Road Sports provides sponsors and municipalities highly effective exposure to help maximize their presence and message in the community.

Whether it is overcoming their own ailments, running in honor of a friend or family member, promoting a healthy lifestyle or raising money for a cause close to their hearts, each of the thousands of runners at The New Jersey Marathon at the Shore and Long Branch Half Marathon on May 5 has his or her own reason for competing.  Each story is inspiring in its own way, and many have shared their experiences with race organizers and other fans.

Some of the most poignant stories surround runners who continue to battle disease or other health-related obstacles.  Denise DiMarzo, 50, who grew up on the Jersey Shore (Raritan H.S., also living in Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach and Long Branch as a youth) and now resides in Illinois, was diagnosed with ALS in early 2011.  Her husband Chris pushed her wheelchair for the race in 2012, raising funds for the Les Turner ALS Foundation.  This year, although the effects of Denise’s ALS have become more acute, she and Chris have remarkably continued on in the same tremendous spirit, adding Jersey Shore relief to their cause.

Amalie Park, 36, of Westwood, underwent spinal surgery 10 years ago, resulting in permanent nerve damage on her right side.  Rather than give in to the pain and disability, Park walked everywhere she could.  And since she entered her first 5K, she is unstoppable, culminating in her first full marathon on May 5.

Aly Pospisil, 27, of Nutley, suffered from melanoma.  Two surgeries and six years later, Pospisil has put years of hurt and effort and frustration behind her and has a renewed focus to regain the range of motion and physical activity level she had pre-cancer.  She ran a half marathon in September and is “checking a marathon off my bucket list” with The New Jersey Marathon.

Mary Kennedy can relate to all three of those stories.  In 2009, at age 56, the Maywood resident learned she had lung cancer after having run nine marathons.  Determined to run a tenth, her goal was met at the NYC Marathon in 2001, and she’ll be competing in the Long Branch Half Marathon this year.

To celebrate 10 cancer-free years, 36-year-old Chrissy Saffran decided to do 10 big events in 2013, with The New Jersey Marathon highlighting a schedule which includes two Tough Mudders, a 3-day walk and numerous other distance events.  

Often the effort and training is for the benefit of friends and family.  Scot Burkholder of Scotch Plains first competed for Fred’s Team in honor of his father who had succumbed to cancer.  Lindsay Freeman of Spottswood says “I am a runner,” also inspired by her late father, also a victim of that disease, knowing she is making him proud.  Ben Malin’s 12-year old nephew is a cancer patient, and he draws strength from his struggles.  For Gabriella Nesse, 21, of Silver Spring, Md., whose Aunt Mad was taken by brain cancer, every run is in tribute.

Emily Pedersen, 37, of Mantua, does the half marathon to help raise funds and awareness for the fight against Congenital Muscular Dystrophies (CMD), which her “sweet and sassy, happy and smart three year old” daughter Klara struggles with.  While there is not yet a treatment or medicine, Cure CMD continues to battle through dedicated advocates like Emily and Klara. 

Jennifer Nachbur, 52, a 1979 Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS grad now living in Burlington, Vt., was inspired to run her first half marathon because of her mother’s diagnosis of leukemia.  She joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program in 2006, then fell in love with the physical activity of running.  The Long Branch Half Marathon will be her 24th at 13.1 miles.

Dr. Robert Laitman, 55, of Bedford, N.Y., started Team Daniel in honor of his son, now 22, who seven years ago was diagnosed with schizophrenia.  Through the generosity of Laitman’s family, friends, patients, colleagues, and neighbors has raised over $100,000 for mental health research.

The New Jersey Marathon’s theme of “Up and Running” is reflected in the motivations of three participants in particular who have shared their stories.  Animal lover Jen Caroselli, 34, of Toms River, has run the NYC marathon twice to benefit the North Shore Animal League.  Supersorm Sandy not only canceled her opportunity to run the race for a third time, but sadly also caused serious damage to her home and loss of nearly all possessions.  Displaced for five months, Caroselli runs marathons, as she says, “…to help animals and to challenge myself. I’m back to me!”

Though not directly affected by Sandy to the extent of Caroselli, Kathleen Carroll-Mullen, 50, of Morristown, and Larry Rosenblatt, 49, of Bridgewater will have Sandy firmly on their minds during next week’s race.  Carroll-Mullen said she hasn’t run a marathon in six years, but will compete in The New Jersey Marathon to be supportive of the “Jersey Strong” movement.  Rosenblatt is in the midst of a stretch of four marathons in eight weeks (!) in an effort to raise funds and awareness for the Everett Family Fund, in support of a family that suffered horrible tragedy from Sandy.  This is not a first for Rosenblatt, who said he also did four marathons in six weeks back in 2011 to benefit the Cancer Support Community of Monmouth County (Boston, N.J., York, Pa. and Vermont City Marathons).

Causes like these are tremendous beneficiaries of the dedication of these individuals.  Team Push To Walk, which empowers people with spinal cord injuries to realize their individual potential, has five clients who will compete with handcycles, including Darren Templeton, 27 of Kinnelon, (the son of the Push to Walk founders and inspiration for the organization); Mike Luciano, 29, of Edison; Lois Hamilton, 63, of Oak Ridge; Lauren LaPorta, 24, of Bergerfield; and Tim O’Neill, 56, of Staten Island.

Team LADACIN, 33 runners and dozens of volunteers strong, raised over $46,500 at last year’s event to advance LADACIN’s educational and therapeutic programs and services in support of people with cerebral palsy or other physical disabilities.  The Central NJ Brain Tumor Support Group had a survivor in each of the four events in 2012 and is aiming for the same this year.

Inspiration comes from many sources, and while many of those detailed above are particularly poignant, for thousands of runners, the desire to be fit and healthy, to simply be a runner, guides them.  Aaron Word, 24, of Allentown, Pa., calls it a “running addiction.”  Stefanie Egbert of Manhattan uses running to overcome what she terms self-confidence issues.  Rebecca Jusilla, 44, of Chambersburg, Pa., quit smoking and had never run before and caught the bug.  Bill Fleming, 55, of Bloomsbury was inspired by  his daughter to improve his health and lost 55 pounds.  Similarly, Carolyn Kroeper, 28, of Middletown, lost more than 120 pounds from her 300-pound frame, pushing through knee issues, starting with 5Ks up to the marathon.  Erin Andersen, 29, of Vernon, runs to help relieve Joint Hypermobility/laxity Syndrome which causes severe pain. Sarah McGovern, 33, formerly of Rumson and now in West Haven, started a popular blog to motivate her to continue.

Family life can alter running schedules, too.  Joanna Koster, 31, of Hoboken, will run the relay instead of the marathon after finding out she is pregnant.  A different kind of “pregnant” inspires Brian Erickson, 45, of Verona, whose four-year old son’s query, “Dad, are you pregnant?” prompted a lifestyle change that includes regular running.

Milestones are often a goal of runners, and Brian Hurwitz, 42, of Boynton Beach, Fla., will be celebrating his 50th completed marathon on May 5.  Armando Tejeda, 31, of Chicago, has pledged to run every event this year in the Allstate Life Insurance 13.1 Marathon® Series, also conducted by US Road Sports & Entertainment Group, which conducts road races nationwide.

With the theme “Up & Running,” the state’s premiere road race event is set to run through eight New Jersey towns, beginning at Monmouth Park in Oceanport and continuing through Monmouth Beach, Deal, Allenhurst, Lock Arbour, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove and Long Branch.  The race, which annually attracts thousands of competitors, volunteers and supporters, has taken on additional, poignant meaning to those still affected by the damage inflicted on the region by Superstorm Sandy in October.

A full weekend of activities for the whole family is scheduled for May 3-5, including the Novo Nordisk Health & Fitness Expo, Barnabas Health Family Festival and Kids Races, full marathon, half marathon and half marathon relay.

Registration for all events, course views, information about volunteering, sponsorship and details of the entire weekend of activities are available at the race Website at www.NJMarathon.org and the event Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NJMarathon.  Runners and fans are encouraged to follow The New Jersey Marathon on its Twitter @NJMarathon.

Official sponsors of The New Jersey Marathon include Novo Nordisk, Barnabas Health and Investors Bank. 

(photo by Paige Hammermill)

Wizard World shows are all about the fan experience.  Attendees needn’t be shocked if they run into scores of Wookiees, Captain Kirks, Kaylee Fryes or any other costumed characters, as enthusiasts of Star Wars, “Star Trek,” “Firefly”/Serenity and other cosplay groups are among the more than a dozen fan communities that will be roaming the floor at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 30 – June 2 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. 

Organizations representing fans of the Ghostbusters franchise and LEGO will also attend, along with noted cosplayers like Eric “The Smoke” Moran, Ivy Doomkitty, David Santiago and many others.  The Wizard World Cosplay Stage will be the focal point for members of these groups and thousands of other fans who will get their cosplay on over the four days.  Flashes will be popping, with fans of all ages and costumes of all types strutting their stuff.

Some of the highlight groups setting up at the event include:

· 501st Garrison Carida, a Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia based Star Wars costuming group that is part of the world’s definitive Imperial costuming organization.
· Alliance Live Action Role Playing, dedicated to recreating the Days of Legend as we would like them to be. Around since 1989, Alliance LARP is one of the largest live action fantasy medieval games with over a dozen active chapters in the United States and Canada.
· DelVaLUG, the Delaware Valley LEGO Users Group, consisting of Adult Fans of LEGO® (AFOLs) dedicated to the infinite imaginative possibilities of the iconic interlocking plastic building brick.
· Imperial Klingon Forces NasToj, the world’s leading resource for Klingon costuming and culture. Through its website and Facebook page, the Imperial Klingon Forces (IKF) foster a community of Warriors to portray the Klingon lifestyle.
· Mav Oya’la Clan of the Mandalorian Mercs, whose goal is to provide a nexus for Mandalorian costumers, giving them a collective identity and representation within the Star Wars costuming community.
· NY Jedi, a community of sci-fi fans, actors, martial artists, costumers and performers who share a particular passion for Saber fight choreography.
· NYC Cosplayer Network, a multi-genre cosplay group, where many design and create their own costumes and props. The group conducts workshops on costuming, makes convention appearances, volunteers, hosts costumed themed affairs and more.
· Pennsylvania Browncoats, a group of several hundred “Firefly”/Serenity fans located in or near Pennslvania, which organizes social events like camping and TV nights, as well as “Can’t Stop the Serenity (CSTS),” a screening of Serenity to raise money for charity.
· Pennsylvania Star Wars Collecting Society, whose goals are to enhance the collecting experience of members, share information to become better collectors, create a network for valuable items, interact and socialize in appreciation of Star Wars collectibles and culture.
· Philadelphia Ghostbusters, a local Ghostbusters franchise that helps to raise money for various charities and makes special appearances at events.  Who ya’ gonna call?
· Saber Guild, a voluntary non-profit costumed performance group of Star Wars enthusiasts, appearing in various events as a way of helping non-profit organizations and spread the joy of Star Wars to others.
· “Star Wars: In Character,” a podcast that takes a closer look at some of the more obscure characters in the Star Wars universe. Backstories, histories, and details fans never knew, wanted to know, or ever needed to know about some of the saga’s most overlooked characters.
· Take Back the Sky, a public outreach initiative to educate science fiction fans and other passionate, naturally curious people about the issues impacting manned spaceflight.
· U.S.S. Iwo Jima, an independent science fiction fan group based on a Star Trek theme, located in the Greater New York City Area which includes the five boroughs, Northern New Jersey, lower Westchester, southern Rockland and lower Fairfield counties.
· U.S.S. Moebius, NCC 4744393, a chapter of STARFLEET, International, representing a fictional Starfleet vessel, specifically a Wells Class Timeship, in the Star Trek universe. Its members assume the role of various personnel serving as crew aboard the starship.
· U.S.S. Navras, a correspondence chapter of STARFLEET, The International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc., meaning that men, women, and children from all over the world can actively join and participate in what the organization has to offer.
· U.S.S. Sovereign, NCC-75000, the local ship chapter affiliated with Star Fleet International in Philly for 23 years. A Star Trek club which costumes and celebrate many scifi genres, Trek being the favorite. USS Sovereign also raises funds for various charities.
· Cosplayers including Eric “The Smoke” Moran, Ivy Doomkitty, David Santiago, AllieCat Cosplay, Soni Aralynn, Brian Gregory, Brin Londo, Ruby Rinekso, Brian A. Terranova and Michael “Knightmage” Wilson.

“Castle” star Nathan Fillion, fellow “Serenity” and Firefly headliner Summer Glau, Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee and WWE® Superstars John Cena® and Daniel Bryan® are at the top of a standout roster of celebrity guests scheduled to appear at the event.  It is the third in the 2013 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions. 

Superstar comics creators scheduled to attend include Bryan Hitch (“America’s Got Powers,” “Wolverine”), Salvador Larroca (“Avengers vs. X-Men,” “Captain America”), Leinil Yu (“Hulk,” “Fantastic Four”), Howard Chaykin (“New Avengers,” “Iron Man”) and Barry Kitson (“Thor,” “Spider-Man”).

A superstar lineup of comics writers and artists, including such luminaries as Bryan Hitch (“Wolverine,” “Captain America”), Eisner Award winner Salvador Larroca (“Avengers vs. X-Men,” “Iron Man”), Leinil Yu (“Hulk,” “Superman: Birthright”), Bob Layton (“Avengers,” “Batman”), Yildiray Cinar (“Teen Titans,” “Action Comics”) and Barry Kitson (“Thor,” “Green Lantern”) will be among the more than 175 scheduled to populate Artist Alley at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 30 – June 2 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee will attend on Friday and Saturday, May 31 – June 1, appearing in the celebrity area.

The international roster also features top creators like Mico Suayan (“The Punisher,” “Batman: Arkham Unhinged”), Julian Totino Tedesco (“X-Treme X-Men, “Daredevil”), Angel Unzueta (“Titans, “DC Comics Presents”), Michael Golden (“Star Wars,” “BSG”), Greg Horn (“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark,” “Wonder Woman”), Phil Noto (“Buffy,” “Batgirl”) and J.G. Jones (“Final Crisis,” “Wanted”).  Nearly any comics character and franchise imaginable are represented by at least one, and usually more, of these talented men and women.

In addition to displaying some of their best work at the event, most creators at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con will be available for commissions.  Many will also take part in four full days of Creator Spotlights and a wide variety of other panel programming focusing on the comics industry, to be announced in the coming weeks.

Other special guest creators scheduled to attend are Tyler Kirkham (“Superboy,” “Ultimate FF”), Doug Sneyd (“Playboy”), Mark Texeira (“The Punisher,” “Black Panther”), Tom Raney (“AVX: Consequences,” “Deadpool”) and recent Eisner Award nominee Ryan Inzana (“Johnny Jihad,” “Ichiro”).

Celebrities featured at Philadelphia Comic Con include “Castle” star Nathan Fillion, fellow “Serenity” and Firefly headliner Summer Glau, “Star Trek’s” William Shatner, WWE® Superstars John Cena® and Daniel Bryan® and “The Walking Dead” trio of Norman Reedus, Michael Rooker and Jon Bernthal. 

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con show hours are Thursday, May 30, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, May 31, noon – 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.