5K races near Red Bank

The Carlos Negron Memorial Run is an annual 5K held in early October at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. It starts from the South End of the park, at 200 Morris Pesin Drive, with the race scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. The run honors Carlos Negron, a Jersey City firefighter who died while responding to a three-alarm fire. Entry proceeds support burn care in New Jersey, with the race materials naming St. Barnabas Burn Center in Livingston and the Cooperman Barnabas Burn Center as beneficiaries.

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 Carlos Negron Memorial Run is a 5K road race held at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, typically in early October. It honors Carlos Negron, a Jersey City resident and firefighter who died in the line of duty during his thirteenth year with the department. The race begins in the morning, with registration conducted online. The start is located at the south end of Liberty Walk, near Pesin Drive and the park administration building at 200 Morris Pesin Drive. The course features a straightforward layout with minimal turns, suitable for runners aiming for a fast 5K and for those participating in the memorial. Proceeds benefit the Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas in Livingston, which serves New Jersey's largest burn unit.

The JC Green Fall race series, now in its sixth year, offers a half marathon, 10K, and 5K in Jersey City on a single October race day. The event coincides with National Healthy Lung Month. Sustainable JC and CityTri collaborate on this race, which serves as a fundraiser and raises awareness for respiratory health. This focus is particularly relevant as Jersey City experiences high rates of respiratory issues, directly connecting the cause to the local community.

The JC Green Half, 10K, and 5K is a Jersey City race series offering a half marathon, a 10K, and a 5K. It takes place in October during National Healthy Lung Month and is now in its sixth annual running. Sustainable JC organizes the event with CityTri. The day focuses on fundraising alongside the races. Its cause is respiratory health awareness, providing the series a local public-health focus beyond the typical fall road-race event.

The NYRR Jersey City 5K is a fast, flat 5K in downtown Jersey City, located across the Hudson River from Manhattan. This race is designed for runners seeking a quick competition, a pace assessment, or an opportunity for a personal best before a major fall event. The event is scored, provides a 9+1 credit option for NYRR members, and includes a New Balance long-sleeve tech shirt for participants.

The Catch a Cure Family 5K Walk/Run is a Sunday 5K held on Beach 116th Street in Rockaway Park, Queens. The main event covers 3.1 miles, with a separate option for participants under 12, making the event suitable for families instead of solely adult runners. The race is based in Rockaway Park and listed on the Rockaway Track Club website. Online registration is open, with distinct pricing for the 5K and the children's event. The listing also links the race to Rockaway Park's RaceMob community.

The Eden Autism 5K & Fun Run/Walk takes place annually in October at 2 Merwick Road in Princeton, New Jersey. It offers a USATF-certified 5K for runners and a 1-mile Fun Run/Walk for walkers, families, and younger children, both beginning at the same morning hour. Registration fees are reduced for ages 5 to 17 and USATF members; children 4 and under participate for free. Same-day registration is available for those deciding to join on the morning of the event. The event benefits Eden Autism, an organization that assists individuals with autism from diagnosis through adulthood. The first 1,000 participants will receive a long-sleeved shirt, hat, and finisher medal. Awards for the 5K include prizes for the top overall female, male, and non-binary finishers, as well as the top three runners in 10-year age categories ranging from 9 and under to over 80. A race festival precedes, accompanies, and follows the races, featuring face painting, balloon animals, and craft tables.

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 Run for Liberty 5K begins at Flag Plaza on Morris Pesin Drive in Jersey City, following a 5K path through Liberty State Park alongside the Hudson River waterfront. This yearly community race and walk collects funds for The Friends of Liberty State Park, with all donations supporting the group's efforts to preserve, improve, and protect the park as an open public green space. The event accommodates various participants, including experienced runners, casual walkers, supporters, and local park visitors. Participants receive official chip timing, age group awards, a race T-shirt, professional photographs, and post-race refreshments with a recovery zone upon completion.

Michael's Cause Step for a Cure is an officially timed 5K run and walk on Staten Island. Same-day registration opens in the morning before the run starts at 9:00 AM; the walk follows at 10:00 AM. The run is the third leg of the Staten Island Triple Crown of 5K races, attracting participants pursuing that local series, as well as walkers and runners supporting the cause. The event raises awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, with all proceeds directed toward medical and scientific research for improved treatments and a future cure. Michael's Cause also assists families affected by Duchenne in purchasing medical equipment and accessible vans. Over $2 million has been allocated to research and equipment. Age-category awards, food, refreshments, and raffles contribute to the event's community-race atmosphere, distinguishing it from a standard timed 5K.

The Coffee Lovers Run 5K/10K/13.1 NYC Brooklyn begins and ends at Bartel Lot in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Participants can select a 5K, 10K, or half marathon, with a 1-mile Family Fun Run also available. This event is structured as a small group run using capped waves, not a large, chip-timed competition. Morning wave starts are scheduled, and a virtual participation option exists for the three primary distances. The course is contained within Prospect Park; the precise map will be provided to entrants before race day. Participants of all speeds, including walkers, are welcome, and those under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Timing is not mandatory; runners may use apps like Strava, RunKeeper, or Nike Run to track their progress and submit a result for posting if desired. Bibs will be distributed on race day, and merchandise will be mailed to US addresses, potentially including a shirt, finisher medal, towel, or other item. An eco-friendly registration option without a shirt is also offered.