5K races near Ocean City

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.

The Always Ready 5K begins and ends at Harborview Park in Cape May, offering runners uncommon access inside U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. The event includes a live 5K, a virtual 5K, a 3K Always Ready K9 run/walk, and a virtual K9 option, allowing participation on-site or completion of the distance during October. The Cape May County Coast Guard Community Foundation organizes the race to generate awareness and support for the Coast Guard community in Cape May County. The course winds past Cape May Harbor before entering the Coast Guard training center and returning to Harborview Park. The K9 race, for dogs running or walking with handlers, begins shortly after the 5K; dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet and remain calm. Finishers receive an Always Ready Challenge Coin, and K9 finishers also get a Lead the Way K9 Champion Medal and an Always Ready K9 dog pin. Awards are presented to the top overall male and female finishers and to age-group winners. Cape May Brewing Co. provides Always Ready Pale Ale to participants aged 21 and older with age verification.

The Run the Vineyards - Down the Shore 5K is a chip-timed 5K held at Cape May Winery. The race begins at 9 AM on a mostly flat, paved course. This event is part of the established Run the Vineyards series, and this particular Cape May race consistently sells out annually. Walkers and children are welcome to participate. Spectators may attend, but all individuals on the course must be registered due to a one-hour time limit. The route features approximately a quarter mile through the vineyard. Following the race, the winery hosts an after-party with a glass of Cape May wine and a stemless Run the Vineyards wine glass included for participants. Live music will be provided until noon, and food will be available for purchase from the Tapas Kitchen. The race benefits the HEADstrong Foundation. Awards will be presented to the top overall male and female finishers, as well as age-group winners. Packet pickup on race day is located behind the winery at the Good Day for a Run tent. Complimentary photos from the race and after-party will be available for download. Volunteers will receive wine at the after-party and an entry for a future race.

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 Cape May Hallowed Half Marathon Weekend takes place on an October morning in Cape May, offering three race choices: a half marathon, a half marathon relay, and the Hallowed Half 5K. All three events commence at 7:30 AM, meaning the 5K, individual half marathoners, and relay participants share the same early start. The half marathon includes strict time limits: participants must reach the halfway point in 1 hour and 45 minutes and complete the race within 3 hours and 30 minutes, corresponding to a 16:01 per mile pace. Athlete check-in is located at the rear parking lot of LaMer Beachfront Resort. Free on-street parking is accessible. The event incorporates a Halloween theme, culminating in a post-race Halloween awards party. Prizes are awarded to the top overall male and female runners, masters runners, age group finishers (from 19 and under to 70 and over), and the leading relay teams. All participants receive a long-sleeve race shirt, and all finishers are presented with a medal.

5-Mile Beach at Wildwood Crest starts at sunrise by Rambler Park and Wildwood Crest Beach on the New Jersey shore. The race series gives runners several choices on the same morning: a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a combo for people who want to run both the 5K and 10K. The setup is friendly to walkers and families, and registration includes a non-binary option with its own overall and age-group awards. The course is fast and flat, using the Wildwood boardwalk and roads through Wildwood, North Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest. Ocean views are part of the run, with water and Gatorade stops about every two miles. Everyone gets a finisher medal, first-time half marathon finishers can pick up a special plaque from race director Mark Hughes, and the finish area includes food, drink, T-shirts, and the organizer’s usual race swag.

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.

The 5-Mile Beach at Wildwood Crest begins at sunrise near Rambler Park and the Wildwood Crest Beach, with the Boardwalk influencing the early atmosphere. This New Jersey shore race features a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a combined 5K/10K option. The course is fast and flat, suitable for new runners, walkers, families, and those seeking a consistent pace with minimal elevation gain. The route travels through Wildwood, North Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest, connecting the shore towns rather than repeating a small loop. Aid stations offering water and Gatorade are positioned approximately every two miles. All finishers will receive a medal. First-time half marathon finishers also receive a plaque. Race director Mark Hughes can be found at the finish line. The event offers non-binary registration, with awards for overall and age groups, post-race refreshments, and a T-shirt included with registration.

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 South Vineland Thanksgiving Run is a Thanksgiving Day cross-country race held at Anthony Campanella Park in Vineland, New Jersey. The race is approximately 3 miles long, begins at 9:00 a.m., and is organized by Second Capital Running. This event is structured as an affordable local run, with an entry fee of $10 for all participants, including those 18 and under. The course utilizes terrain also used by Vineland High School and the Vineland Grand Prix summer series, providing a familiar local racing environment instead of a road-race format. Runners, walkers, all ages, and all paces are invited. Awards will be given to the top three men and women overall, along with age-group awards ranging from 10 and under to 70. Presentation of awards occurs after the final finisher. The designated charity partner is Friends of Vineland Public Library, with contributions supporting library resources beyond state or city funding.