Hit The Ground Running At These Local Races

Your chance to log miles, have fun and chase the finish line awaits at Bergen’s scenic 5Ks and runs.

The air is cool and the wind is crisp, which means it’s the perfect time of year to lace up your sneakers and get running. Whether you favor scenic forest pathways or the streets of a world-famous marathon, now is the time to test yourself and see if you can beat your best time—and the competition!

Check out these upcoming local 5Ks, fun runs and other races that bring together community vibes, amazing causes and beautiful courses. Make sure you click the individual links for registration information and details.

Sep. 27, Brain Injury Alliance New Jersey’s 5K Run/Walk/Roll for Brain Injury Awareness, Paramus. Meet at the Dunkerhook Pavilion Picnic Area in Saddle River County Park and help raise money for services that support people with brain injuries around the state. (You can also donate by sponsoring a runner.)

Sept. 27, Haworth 5K, Haworth. This run has been held annually since 2009. The picturesque course will take you through the tree-lined streets of Haworth.

Sept. 28, Achilles New Jersey Hope & Possibility 5K, 10K & Wheeler Half Marathon, Rochelle Park. The NJ chapter of Achilles International, which creates programs and opportunities for athletes with disabilities, brings this race to Rochelle Park. Participants of all ability levels are welcome.

Sept. 28, Cresskill 5K, Cresskill. All proceeds from this race are donated to the Cresskill Health and Wellness Foundation, the Cresskill Board of Health and the Badges and Books Relief Project. The day also includes a “diaper dash,” a 10-foot crawling race for infants between 6 and 12 months.

Sept. 28, Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Healthy Kids Running Series, Cresskill and Glen Rock. Created to foster a healthy, fun experience so kids develop active habits early, this event is a great way to get your child moving and make new friends.

Oct. 5, Hudson River Waterfront Walkway 10K Race, Edgewater. Flat and scenic, this race will take you from the Edgewater Marina Ferry Terminal to the NY Waterway’s Weehawken Ferry Terminal with stunning views of the Hudson and NYC skyline the whole way.

Oct. 5, Richard’s Run HHK 5K, Ho-Ho-Kus. Presented by the Ho-Ho-Kus Educational Foundation, this race (now in its 20th year) will benefit local educational initiatives in addition to pediatric cancer research.

Oct. 11, Oradell 5K, Oradell. Join the Oradell Kids Foundation and the Oradell Volunteer Fire Department for a race to support schools, parks and the local library. The day also will include a 1-mile fun run.

Oct. 11, Grace-In Motion’s Run For The Kids, Fort Lee. For year 12 of this race, Grace-In-Motion is partnering with the Building Hope Project in Armenia to raise funds to build homes for Arminian children and families.

Oct. 12, Washington-Rochambeau 5K, Mahwah. For a historic twist on a run, check out this race. Part of RevolutionNJ’s Revolutionary Race series, it draws inspiration from Jonas Cattell’s run to warn American troops of a British attack at Red Bank Battlefield. This one takes place on the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail at the Ramapo Valley County Reservation.

Oct. 19, Race to Build 5K and 1-Mile Walk, Ridgefield Park. This run will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County, which builds homes for local families in need.

Oct. 19, Superhero 5K, Old Tappan. You can run dressed as your favorite superhero at this run, or just be a hero by participating, as all proceeds benefit Old Tappan’s fire department, ambulance corps and other first responders.

Oct. 19, The Terri Roemer Paramus Run, Paramus. In addition to a 5K run, you can take part in a 5K health walk at this event which benefits both the Paramus Scholarship Fund and Valley Home Care’s Butterflies, a program for seriously ill children.

Oct. 26, Bogota 5K, Bogota. This race returns after a years-long hiatus with a 5K road course and a 1-mile track walk, plus a quarter mile run for kids.

Oct. 26, Giants Foundation 5K, East Rutherford. Presented by the New York Giants, this event will take you around the MetLife Sports Complex and finish on MetLife Stadium’s end zone. Some sports legends will be running alongside you! (Names to be announced.)

Oct. 26, Thunderbird Run, Mahwah. One of Mahwah’s favorite community events also includes vendors and a Kids Run on the Mahwah High School track, and all proceeds benefit the Mahwah Schools Foundation.

Did we miss a local race you’re excited about? Tell us about it on Instagram @bergenmagnj!