Mayor's Challenge 5K + 1 Mile Costume Fun Run 2026

The Mayor's Challenge 5K + 1 Mile Fun Run takes place at Poricy Park in Red Bank, New Jersey. Participants can choose between a 5K run, a 5K fitness walk, or a 1-mile fun run. This marks the seventh year for the event, and all funds raised will benefit Middletown's World Trade Center Memorial Gardens Fund. The 5K course is a trail and cross-country route, distinct from a road race. It features varied terrain including grass, gravel, wooden planks, wide paths, and some narrow sections. Poricy Park's hilly landscape means runners will encounter uneven ground and ascents, differing from a typical flat town 5K. The race benefits the memorial garden at the Middletown Arts Center, dedicated to the 37 local individuals lost in the World Trade Center attacks, and supports planned enhancements to the garden.