Kim Berk of Egg Harbor Township heads into the home stretch of the Atlantic City Marathon.

Now is the time to start training for the Atlantic City April Fools Half-Marathon Sunday, April 1 on the Atlantic City boardwalk, or the Atlantic City Marathon Sunday, Oct. 21, according to a press release from the event organizers.

Kim Shipman, 31, of Egg Harbor Township proved it’s never too late to get in the game.

Shipman decided in 2010 to run a half-marathon, but didn’t start training until eight weeks prior to her first run. According to organizers, this year will mark her third half-marathon in the Atlantic City Marathon Race Series – which includes a marathon, a half-marathon, and 5K and 10K races.

Kim Berk, also of Egg Harbor Township, said she experienced a sense of accomplishment when she completed her first marathon in 2011.

“I started crying like a baby the minute I saw the finish line,” said Berk. “I am a two-time breast cancer survivor and trained during chemotherapy and radiation. It was such an accomplishment to finish that I signed up for the full marathon again” in 2012.

To register for the races, go to www.acmarathon.org.

Are you a first-timer marathoner? No problem. The Atlantic City Marathon Race Series offers these Top 10 Training Tips for first-time runners:

1. Give yourself eight to nine weeks to train for a half marathon, 12 weeks to train for a marathon.

2. “Start out by running and walking and don’t worry about how far you run,” said Steve Antzczk of NJShoreRun.com. “A lot of new runners are fixated about the distance they are trying to cover and get discouraged.”

3. Drink plenty of water or sports drink before, during and after your workout.

4. Stride matters. Land midfoot as opposed to on the heel or toes. This may require you to slow down and focus on your movement, but in the long run, it improves your speed and stamina.

5. Running isn’t everything. Your training should include cross training, such as yoga, weight training or cycling on non-running days. See www.jccatlantic.org for information on fitness classes that will help make you a better runner.

6. Challenge yourself. Even beginners should push themselves a little farther or faster at least once a week.

7. Run safely. Make sure someone knows where you are running, and carry identification.

8. Train on the Atlantic City boardwalk. This helps you get to know the course, and the boardwalk puts less stress on the joints and muscles than hardtop.

9. Take days to rest. Give your muscles and joints a chance to recover.

10. Take pride in your progress as you complete each step.