🏃 Races in New Jersey

Get ready to make a real difference while having a blast! This 8th Annual 5K in Basking Ridge brings together awesome runners and walkers for an unforgettable morning filled with DJ entertainment, family fun activities, and a kids' race—plus you'll help support vital after-school STEM programs that give Newark students the coding, robotics, and tech skills they need to succeed. Every registration directly funds these life-changing educational opportunities, so whether you're going for your best time or enjoying the community vibe, you're genuinely changing futures, one step at a time.

Race Starts 9am at the 23rd Street beach. 5 Milers head South / 1 Milers head North

Whether you're a competitive runner, casual walker, jogger, or just looking for a fun way to start your Labor Day, this annual run/walk event in Sparta, NJ welcomes participants of all abilities on Monday, September 7th at 9:00 AM—with same-day registration available from 7:30 to 8:45 AM. Set in the picturesque Lake Mohawk area, the race supports local environmental conservation efforts while giving you a chance to enjoy stunning scenery alongside family and friends. Head to www.LaborDay5K.org for the course map, registration forms, and more details, or call Askin & Hooker LLC at 973-729-7711; USATF-NJ members who register by September 2nd receive a $3 discount, and race bibs, goody bags, and shirts will be available on race morning.

Join us on Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 10:00 AM in Newark's beautiful Riverfront Park for a fun community 5K that wraps up the exciting Newark Day Festival! Whether you're aiming for a new personal record, enjoying a casual stroll with loved ones, or just looking to move your body while celebrating this vibrant city, there's a spot for everyone on the course. You'll experience live music, professional timing, fantastic community energy, and the satisfaction of crossing the finish line as part of a two-day celebration honoring Newark's amazing culture, diversity, and spirit through fitness, food, and togetherness.

Get ready to run through picturesque countryside in Robbinsville Township on a USATF Certified half marathon course that launches from Robbinsville Community Park and winds past scenic farmlands and the historic Robbin's House. If you're doing the EVO Health + Performance 5k instead, you'll enjoy an out-and-back route starting from the same community park. Just remember to order your wearable (available as a t-shirt, hat, or other options) at least one month before race day!

Get ready to explore Paterson's rich history while completing this 3.1-mile run or walk on Labor Day 2026, which welcomes both competitive runners chasing personal records and casual participants looking for a fun outing with loved ones. Your route will wind through iconic local landmarks including the Great Falls, the Lou Costello statue, the Paterson Museum, Hinchliffe Stadium, Veteran's Park, and Pennington Park before finishing back at the Great Falls. Registration and packet pickup open at 7am at the Paterson Museum, with the race starting at 8:30am—and don't forget to share your experience on Facebook or Instagram using #patersongreatfalls5k!

This beloved 42-year-old event, backed by the Pompton Lakes Recreation Department as part of Pompton Lakes Day, offers runners an exciting mix of terrain including fields, roads, and a unique "pipeline" path. You'll appreciate the well-marked course with helpful marshals stationed throughout and a water stop at the midpoint to keep you refreshed. A course map will be available on race day, and whether you love cross country, trails, or road running, this diverse racecourse has something for everyone!

Whether you run, jog, or walk, come celebrate the start of the school year with us at this 5K fun event in Union, NJ! Top three finishers in both the men's and women's categories will receive prizes, plus there are awards for various age groups to recognize everyone's effort. Join us for a great way to kick off a happy and successful school year!

Join runners for the 45th edition of this beloved Northern Valley tradition on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Memorial Park in Closter, NJ, featuring both a 5K race and a Kids Fun Run for children 12 and under on one of the area's most scenic courses. The day kicks off with bib pickup at 8:00 am, followed by the Kids Fun Run at 9:00 am and the 5K at 9:30 am, with online registration encouraged though limited same-day registration will be available. Note that Closter's town celebration is scheduled for the same day but will be held separately from the race events.

Head to Berkeley Heights this Labor Day Saturday to kick off the end of summer in style at North Jersey's original summer destination! After hitting the trails for a run or hike through the scenic Deserted Village at Watchung Reservation, stick around for an all-inclusive 5-hour party at the beautifully restored Masker's Barn featuring BBQ, beer, wine, and seltzers, plus live music, games, and plenty of outdoor fun. It's the perfect way to celebrate the season with fellow runners, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts—no traffic or crowds required!

Join us on Saturday, September 5, 2026, for a meaningful walk starting at 8:30 am from the 28th Street Beach Path in Avalon, NJ, followed by a post-walk gathering at the Windrift (79th street) from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. This event honors three beloved community members—Dennis J. McNichol III, Fred W. Dunhour III, and Jim J. Mack III—who all passed away from glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer that claimed their lives in 2025 despite their previously active and healthy lifestyles. Organized by the McNichol, Dunhour, and Mack families, all proceeds support brain cancer research for this devastating disease that typically offers patients less than a year to live after diagnosis.

Get ready to run along Belmar's gorgeous oceanfront on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 8:00 AM for the 50th Annual Belmar 5 Mile Run, one of New Jersey's largest road races drawing over 3,000 runners each year. This community event, presented by the Goodwill Hose Co., the Borough of Belmar, and the Jersey Shore Running Club, features the main 5-mile course plus kids' races on Friday, September 4th, and supports the volunteer fire and rescue services that the Goodwill Hose Co. provides to the area around the clock. Your participation helps raise critical funds for this 125-year-old all-volunteer organization as they work to maintain their emergency services.

Head to Hammonton Lake Park on Sunday, August 30th at 9:00am for this community-focused 5K, with registration and packet pickup starting at 8:00am. You can run the 5K or walk the 1-mile option for $35 each, with awards given to overall winners and top three finishers in 10-year age groups for both men and women. The first 100 pre-registered participants will receive race shirts, and all proceeds support the Hammonton Hawks Football Organization.

Annual Race to remember Jason Walton

Lace up and head to Stewartsville, NJ for this year's celebration of Tom's amazing spirit and love of running! This fourth-year event brings the community together to honor Tom's legacy while supporting MSK Prostate Cancer Research, so you'll be part of something meaningful while enjoying a great race experience.

Get set for an exhilarating open water swimming adventure covering 5K around Cedar Island in Avalon, NJ—a 17-year tradition that's earned recognition from the World Open Water Swimming Association as one of America's premier open water swim events! This charity race benefits SNEAKERS FOR SOLDIERS and offers a beginner-welcoming route through scenic back bay waters that works with the tidal flow, complete with safety support stationed throughout the course. You'll head into the water at 9:40 AM from Avalon Yacht Club for a mass start, have 90 minutes to finish, and take home a race package featuring a custom cap, tech shirt, timing chip, socks, and finisher towel.

Lace up for this meaningful 5k memorial run on August 29, 2026 at 9:30am, organized by Atlantic City Fire Fighters Local 198 to honor Fire Fighters John Seedorf and Police Officer Thomas McMeekin. You'll start and finish at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on the boardwalk, running an out-and-back route heading south toward Ventnor with a turnaround at Montpelier Ave. Register for $40 in advance or $50 race day, and enjoy perks including event t-shirts (first 100 pre-registered), complimentary food, discounted drinks, a DJ, athlete stretching courtesy of Spine One Chiropractic, discounted parking, and awards for top overall and age group finishers.

Get ready for the 6th edition of this inspiring community 5K in Jersey City, where runners of all levels unite to support "Ambulances for Ukraine" and help deliver critical medical vehicles to those in need. Organized by Ukrainian Jersey City, this meaningful race celebrates unity, resilience, and compassion while bringing the community together for an important cause. Can't run? You can still contribute by donating online, forming a fundraising team, or volunteering at the event—every bit helps move the mission forward!

Kick off your afternoon at 12:30 PM with a day full of activities for the whole family! Older kids can enjoy a video arcade and miniature golf, while younger runners will love the playground that's fun for all ages. Help make this event a success by volunteering to bring a dish—we need potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, coleslaw, or desserts; just reach out to Dan at drnap49@aol.com or John at johnogor266@gmail.com to sign up!

Lace up and run through history at Monmouth Battlefield, a National Historic Landmark where the pivotal Battle of Monmouth took place during the Revolutionary War—an experience that's become a true rite of passage for runners. This inaugural event offers chip timing, live video streaming, finish line photos, well-marked routes with mile-marker support stations, and a fan-friendly course featuring beautiful tree-lined paths that are both challenging and fun. Choose your distance with the half marathon (four loops), 10K (two loops), or 5K (one loop), each covering approximately 3.1-3.27 miles.

Head to Nomahegan Park in Cranford, NJ on Sunday, August 23rd for this fun 5K that supports a great cause—Metavivor Breast Cancer Research. You'll run a scenic, flat course dotted with ponds, bridges, and wildlife, with packet pickup starting at 8:45 AM and the race beginning at 9:15 AM (early pickup available Saturday from 10:30 AM-1:30 PM at Fleet Feet of Summit). After crossing the finish line, celebrate with cupcakes in regular, vegan, and gluten-free varieties, and top finishers in various age groups will earn awards.

Get ready for the DQ 15th Annual Medford Lakes Colony Sprint Triathlon, Duathlon, & Aquabike on Sunday, August 23rd, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. sharp, held at 90 Tabernacle Rd in Medford Lakes, NJ! You'll need to complete digital registration online (it closes at race start), bring your ID and email confirmation barcode to packet pickup, and remember that you must pick up your own packet—no exceptions. Parking is conveniently available at PJ's on Stokes Rd with easy access to the transition area, and all finishers will receive a t-shirt and medal.

Head to Wildwood Crest, NJ for this inaugural beach race supporting Wildwood Catholic Academy Athletics, featuring an out-and-back course on packed sand with both a chip-timed 5k and a non-competitive 1-mile fun run. The event kicks off at 8:30 am (with registration beginning at 7:30 am) and includes refreshments and an awards ceremony afterward, with prizes for overall male and female winners, masters categories, and top-3 finishers across multiple age groups from 13 and under through 70 and over.