The annual New Jersey Run For the Fallen passed through Brick Township Sunday morning, starting at the old Denny's parking lot at 6:30 a.m.

The runners, who switch off between legs of the race, began in Cape May on Friday and end up at Holmdel late Sunday afternoon, stopping every mile to honor a fallen service member who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terrorism.

The runners – who are military personnel and family members of those who have died – run at a military pace, with support vehicles in front and back. The runners carry three flags: the American flag, the State of New Jersey flag and the Honor and Remember flag.

Once at a designated Hero marker, the flags are passed to three waiting veterans as a biography of the deceased is read aloud and a military salute is rendered. Upon completion of the ceremony, the runners continue to the next destination.

"Even though the time of day was early, many supporters were on site at the Brick Elks, the Brick American Legion and the Brick VFW in addition to the mile markers along the route," said Ed McBride of American Legion Post 348.