5K races near Brigantine

Ship Bottom Brewery's Ecto Ghouler 5K is a fall 5K road race held at Ship Bottom Brewery on Engleside Avenue in Beach Haven, New Jersey. The race coincides with the brewery's Ecto Ghouler IPA release, blending a running event with a brewery party. Standard entry is $30, with registration opening at the start of the year. The route is a 5K through Beach Haven, returning to the brewery for the awards ceremony and post-race party. Runners 21 and older receive a free beer upon finishing. The best costume earns a four-pack, lending the race a Halloween-adjacent atmosphere. Awards are presented to the top three men and women overall, and to age-group winners from 14-and-under to 60-plus, accommodating younger runners, local regulars, casual beer-run participants, and those aiming for an age-group win.

The OCNJ Half Marathon, 10 Mile & 5K begins at the Ocean City Music Pier on the boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace. This October race morning in Ocean City, New Jersey, offers three distances: a half marathon, a 10-mile run/walk, and a 5K run/walk. The half marathon and 10-miler start first, followed shortly by the 5K. The course is fast and flat, utilizing Ocean City’s boardwalk, downtown streets, and oceanfront views instead of hills or technical terrain. This setup suits runners aiming for a quick time, walkers in the 10-mile or 5K, and local families preferring the shorter distance. Packet pickup is at the Music Pier before race day, and the longer races do not allow race-day registration. All proceeds support Ocean City Recreation Scholarships and Programs.

Running for Children's Rights to Both Parents - New Jersey is a half marathon held in Long Branch, a city on the coast in Monmouth County. This event is one of 50 half marathons in 50 states, part of a larger series focused on running across the country. Long Branch is a small shore city of approximately 31,667 residents, featuring low elevation and a landscape that includes both land and water along the New Jersey coast. The area was initially established as the Long Branch Commission before being incorporated as a city. Its name originates from a "long branch" of the Shrewsbury River.

The LBI Halloween Hustle is a new community race in Surf City, New Jersey, built around a 5K run/walk and a children’s Little Monsters Dash. Surf City Volunteer Fire & EMS hosts it from 713 Long Beach Blvd, with registration offered separately for the main 5K and the kids’ dash. The event leans into its Halloween timing rather than treating costumes as an afterthought: awards are planned for best costumes as well as race results. The setup is simple and local, with walkers, runners, families, and kids all given a place in the day.

The Trail of Two Cities 5K Run/Walk takes participants from Ocean City to Somers Point via the Route 52 causeway, utilizing lanes typically reserved for vehicles. This point-to-point 5K begins at the Ocean City Transportation Center, located near 9th Street and Haven Avenue, and concludes at John F. Kennedy Park in Somers Point. The course is straightforward: depart Ocean City, traverse the entire causeway, and finish at the park in Somers Point. This race has occurred over twenty-four times. Buses are provided to transport participants from the finish to the start before the event and back to Ocean City afterward. It attracts both runners and walkers, presents awards to the top male and female finishers, and provides long-sleeved shirts to the first 500 registrants.

St. Augustine Prep’s On the Move 5K is a school-affiliated run/walk themed around the phrase “Oscar Mike,” military shorthand for “On the Move.” The event includes a 5K run and a 1-mile walk, accommodating those who wish to race and families or supporters seeking a less strenuous option. The race benefits the Oscar Mike Fund and St. Augustine Prep’s Third Semester program. This program immerses students in practical, real-world learning outside traditional classrooms, covering local service projects and international travel opportunities. Participants in the 5K receive a T-shirt. Registration fees are distinct for the run and walk, increasing after late October.

The Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children Turkey Trot is a 5K run and 1.5-mile walk in Avalon, New Jersey, held on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The run starts at 10 a.m., with the walk starting five minutes later, allowing participants to choose either a short race effort or a post-holiday walk. The race also serves as Avalon's Festive Friday kickoff and raises funds for the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children. Registration opens over Memorial Day weekend, providing ample time for participants to incorporate it into their Thanksgiving-week plans at the shore.

The Brigantine Ugly Sweater Run & Family Frolic is a run-or-walk event on Brigantine, New Jersey, held on Small Business Saturday. Green Whales, Inc. organizes it, and this is its third annual edition. The event is family-friendly, with participants choosing their own pace instead of treating the day as a runners-only event. The course starts and finishes at The Brigantine Community Center on the island. Afterward, participants and volunteers head to The Cove Bar & Grill for hot cocoa, coffee, desserts, and ugly sweater contests. The sweaters are the main tradition of the day, with contests open to participants and volunteers alike.

The Reindeer Run is a December running event in Minneapolis offering 5K, 10K, and 15K distances around Lake Harriet. The 5K accommodates both running and walking, while the longer distances begin earlier in the morning. This event has been a fixture on the Minnesota running calendar since 1987. The course encircles Lake Harriet, keeping participants near one of Minneapolis’s well-known park lakes. The atmosphere embraces the holiday theme: runners often wear costumes, and participants have the opportunity to take photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and Rudolph. Registration provides a shirt and finisher medal, and age-group awards are also presented.

Mike’s Seafood Run/Walk for Autism is a Valentine’s Day 5K in Sea Isle City, New Jersey, held over Presidents Day weekend. The race utilizes John F. Kennedy Boulevard and is designed for both runners and walkers, functioning as a short road race and a community walk on the same course. The event attracts over 5,000 participants and spectators to the shore town. It is in its eighteenth edition, with the Mike’s Seafood name associated with a winter beach-town gathering focused on autism support, distinct from a typical summer resort race.

Cupid's Chase 5K Galloway is a Valentine's Day 5K held at Stockton University Sports Center in Galloway, New Jersey. It is part of Community Options' national Cupid's Chase series; entry fees support housing and employment for people with disabilities. The race is a certified 5K with professional timing, and results are posted shortly after the finish. Runners can earn overall trophies, age-group medals (12-and-under through 70-and-over), a finisher medal, and a drawstring bag while supplies last. Volunteers assist with check-in, water stations, course marshaling, and the finish line, making the day a blend of racing and community support.