5K races near Little Egg Harbor Township

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 Ocean Running Club hosts its Seaside Half Marathon and 5K on the central New Jersey shore in Seaside Heights. The course is fast and flat, utilizing the boardwalk, beach, and Atlantic Ocean views. The event takes place in October, with average local temperatures ranging from the 40s to the upper 60s. Participants can choose from three options: the Seaside 5K, the Seaside Half Marathon, or the Seaside Challenge, which involves running both races consecutively. The half marathon follows an out-and-back route on the boardwalk and paved city streets through Seaside Park, extending towards Island Beach State Park. Both walkers and runners are welcome. Its flat terrain is ideal for those training for fall marathons in the New York and New Jersey areas. Over 400 participants finished a recent edition of the race, which has a history spanning nearly fifty years. The 5K begins before the half marathon, Challenge runners receive three medals, and proceeds benefit the Tri-Boro First Aid Squad and the Ocean Running Club Scholarship Fund.

The OCC Viking 5K and Fun Run is a campus race at Ocean County College, featuring a 5K run, a Fun Run, and a Health Walk on the same morning. It is presented by the Ocean County College Foundation and Ocean County College Athletics. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. The 5K follows a USATF-certified course, and participants agree to USATF terms upon registration. All proceeds benefit the Ocean County College Foundation, supporting access to higher education for Ocean County residents via scholarships and awards.

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 Shamong Turkey Trot is a local road race in Shamong, New Jersey, held at Indian Mills Memorial School on Indian Mills Road. It features a chip-timed 5K and a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk. Check-in is in the morning, followed by a brief warm-up led by 3DPT. Registration begins at an accessible price point, positioning the event as a community gathering rather than a major destination race. The 5K course begins and ends in the school parking lot, following a loop on Old Indian Mills Road, Grassy Lake, Stokes Road, and Oakshade before returning. The 1 Mile event takes place on a circular driveway, where runners complete five laps, receiving a popsicle stick for each. Age-group medals are given to male and female runners, and live results are available online. The first male and female finishers receive Thanksgiving pies.