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5K Races and Fun Runs for NJ Kids and their Parents
This ridiculously mild winter has been running heaven, not too cold or too wet. I mean, I didn't run of course, but I assume those of you that do this sort of thing felt heavenly. Now that we are heading into what will either be a gorgeous spring or blizzard season, it's time to use all those great work-outs and your natural altruism, to get your 5k on. Lest you worry that this might be precious time away from your children, fear not, all of these also feature family fun runs for our active NJ kids, and one even comes with a baseball game. So lace up! Gird your quadriceps! Tie your tot's sparkly laces! Convince your mate that they love running, too! Run, mamas, run.
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2nd Annual De-Feet Breast Cancer 5K Walk/Run (Lake Como)
This 5k walk/run is sponsored by the Mama Mare Breast Cancer Foundation with proceeds going to biomedical research, and support services for breast cancer patients and their families. Saturday, March 24th. $30 after March 13th for online and same day registration. Kids fun run is FREE! Registration and check in begins at 7:30.
Atlantic County Utilities Authority - Earth Day 5k Race/1 Mile Fun Run (Egg Harbor Township)
The proceeds from this race benefit the American Heart Association. This race is also part of a greater Earth Day celebration that includes tours of the wind farm and recycling center, live animal shows and petting zoo. Sunday, April 22. $10 for advanced registration, $15 after April 20th. You can also register as a family (limit 6 entries) $20.00 for advanced registration, $25 after April 20th. Registration and check in begins at 7:30 am.
First Annual New Jersey Miles with Moms 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run (Clark)
The proceeds from this race benefit the Mothers' Center of Central NJ, whose mission is to provide outreach, support and education to mothers in Central New Jersey. Saturday, April 28. $15-20 for online and advanced registration ($25 for same day registration) for the 5k. The fun run is FREE for children with a registered adult participant. Registration and check in begins at 8 am.
Spring Stampede 5K and Fun Run in Gazebo Park (Chester)
Proceeds from this race help fund the development of innovative programs for the public schools of Chester, NJ. Saturday, May 12th. Online registration will open soon. $20 ($25 for same day registration) for the 5k, and $15 ($10 for same day registration) for the 1-mile fun run. Registration and check-in begins at 7:30 am.
The Fred d’Elia Memorial Day Ridgewood Run (Ridgewood) This 'Family Day at the Races' is entering its 35th year. Monday, May 28th. Registration begins April 1st — there is NO same day registration for the 5K. $29 for the 5K. $5-$15 for the 1-mile fun run. The 5K begins at 10:15. The fun run begins at noon. Arrive 30 minutes before your event and check in at the registration tent.
Barnabas Health BlueClaws 5K and Fun Run (Lakewood)
This event is run on and around FirstEnergy Park, where the Lakewood BlueClaws play, and will be followed by a game at 1:05, FREE to all runners. Registration is $20 for the 5K race and $10 for 1-mile fun run through April 1st, and $25 and $15 after April 1st. Registration and health fair begin at 9 am.
The Cumberland County College 5K Fun Run/1 Mile Walk (Vineland)
This race is sponsored by the CCC Alumni, with proceeds helping provide affordable educations to all Cumberland County residents. Saturday, April 28. $20 ($25 for same day registration) for the 5k, and $10 for the kid friendly campus walk. Registration and check-in begins at 8 am.
If none of these races suit your needs for emotional release in the form of exercise or you just can't do it on that date, there are so many more! Check out this super site for all upcoming races.
Places featured in this article:
2nd Annual De-Feet Breast Cancer 5K Walk/Run
Atlantic County Utilities Authority - Earth Day 5k Race/1 Mile F
First Annual New Jersey Miles with Moms 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run
The Fred d’Elia Memorial Day Ridgewood Run
Barnabas Health BlueClaws 5K and Fun Run
The Cumberland County College 5K Fun Run/1 Mile Walk
Sarah Cavill - New Jersey writer
Sarah Cavill has lived in Hoboken and New York City since 2001, and every time she contemplates living elsewhere, she has palpitations about what the pizza might taste like and decides to stay. After having two children in two years, Sarah hung up her laptop, to hang out with them. The last 6 years have been a wonderful, boring, hilarious, bittersweet, happy time of making parenting mistakes (too. much. yelling), and parenting triumphs (I don't waaaaant to go to sleep. My book is tooooo good!). There were bursts of creative energy on her now decaying blog and then Mommy Poppins came along and here she is, sharing the wonders (really) of New Jersey. When not taking her family hiking at South Mountain Reservation, or trying to avoid the giant sneezing nose at the Liberty Science Center, she likes to cook, eat, cocktail with friends, poke around museums, watch lots and lots of movies (the sadder the better), and read every night (I don't want to go to sleep. My book is too good!). She hopes that her children will grow up to be independent thinking, open-hearted adventurers, and that, like one of their literary heroes Paulie Pastrami, they will offer compassion to those in need, work hard, finish what they start, laugh at themselves and cry with others.
Sarah previously worked at Baltimore magazine and the Baltimore Sun and freelanced for Media Bistro, City Magazine and CBSlocal.com, among others.
