Born to Run: 26 Jersey 5Ks to Run in May

Spring racing season upon us, and there’s a slew of 5K races planned all over the state this month. To help you narrow the long list down, we wanted to highlight some of the May 2017 races benefiting charitable organizations. Go on, lace up your running shoes and make a difference in an active way.

5K Run Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer
When: Saturday, May 6
Where: Liberty State Park, Jersey City
Benefiting: National Ovarian Cancer Coalition

Action for Distraction 5K
When: Saturday, May 6
Where: Loantaka Brook Reservation, Morristown
Benefiting: Goryeb Children’s Hospital at Morristown Medical Center

Strides for Stroke
When: Saturday, May 6
Where: RWJ University Hospital Hamilton, Hamilton
Benefiting: Stroke Program at RWJ Hamilton

Run for RAINN
When: Saturday, May 6
Where: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Waterfront, West Orange
Benefiting: RAINN, which helps victims of abuse and domestic violence.

Sandy Hook Lighthouse 5K
When: Saturday, May 6
Where: Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Sandy Hook
Benefiting: New Jersey Blind Citizens Association & Camp Happiness

Relay for Refugees
When: Saturday, May 6
Where: Garret Mountain Reservation, Woodland Park
Benefiting: PACE Charity and Syrian refugees in need.

Billie McKenna’s Run for Toys 5K
When: Sunday, May 7
Where: Swayze Mill Park, Blairstown
Benefiting: Billie McKenna’s Foundation, which is dedicated to providing developmental and adaptive toys for children who are challenged with a long-term disability or developmental delays.

The 5K Celebration of Life
When: Sunday, May 7
Where: Great Lawn at the Ocean Promenade, Long Branch
Benefiting: NJ Sharing Network

Freedom House 5K
When: Saturday, May 13
Where: Spruce Run Recreation Area, Clinton
Benefiting: Freedom House, which supports those suffering from substance-abuse disorders.

Step Up for The Arc 5K Run
When: Saturday, May 13
Where: Williamstown High School, Williamstown
Benefiting: The Arc Gloucester’s Camp Sun ‘N Fun, a residential camp for children and adults with intellectual and related developmental disabilities.

Run for The Bar
When: Saturday, May 13
Where: Kings Grant Community Center, Marlton
Benefiting: Raising the Bar Campaign

Run for the Animals
When: Saturday, May 13
Where: Laguna Grill & Rum Bar, Brigantine
Benefiting: Marine Mammal Stranding Center, to help fund efforts for the rescue and release of marine animals that wash ashore on NJ beaches and waterways.

36th Annual Rubin Run
When: Sunday, May 14
Where: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Tenafly
Benefiting: JCC On the Palisades’ programs to improve the lives of individuals with special needs.

Mother’s Day 5K Run for Babies
When: Sunday, May 14
Where: West Windsor Plainsboro High School North, Plainsboro
Benefiting: March of Dimes research and local programs

The Mind Matters 5K
When: Wednesday, May 17
Where: Giralda Farms Trail, Madison
Benefiting: Madison Area YMCA’s Programs that Heal the Whole Person: Emotionally, Mentally and Physically

Warriors for Warriors 5K
When: Saturday, May 20
Where: Nomahegan Park, Cranford
Benefiting: Operation Shoebox NJ and Saint Michael School

Caldwell-West Caldwell Run for Education 5K
When: Saturday, May 20
Where: James Caldwell High School, West Caldwell
Benefiting: The Caldwell-West Caldwell Education Foundation, students and teachers in the CWC school district.

14th Annual Bay Head 5K Memory Run
When: Saturday, May 20
Where: Bay Head Fire Department, Bay Head
Benefiting: The Kate Shea Foundation, which provides funds to research organizations fighting cancers and youth education.

Miles for Melanoma
When: Saturday, May 20
Where: 34th Street Beach, Ocean City
Benefiting: Melanoma Research Foundation

Kylie’s Kids 5K
When: Saturday, May 20
Where: Duke Island Park, Bridgewater
Benefiting: Kylie Balish Foundation for Special Needs Children

Run Like It’s Recess! 5K
When: Sunday, May 21
Where: 316 Seventh Avenue, Haddon Heights
Benefiting: All three elementary schools in the Haddon Heights district.

Veterans Haven 5K Run
When: Sunday, May 21
Where: Cooper River Park, Pennsauken
Benefiting: Veterans Haven in Winslow, a transitional facility for homeless/unemployed veterans.

You Matter 5K
When: Sunday, May 21
Where: Washington Lake Park, Sewell
Benefiting: Legacy Treatment Services’ suicide prevention and mental health resources and The Joseph DeRose Memorial Fund Trust.

5th Annual Claire Brodesser Memorial 5K
When: Sunday, May 28
Where: Beachcomber Camping Resort, Cape May
Benefiting: Cape Regional Medical Center

Mull-Morial Day 5K Beach Run/Walk
When: Sunday, May 28
Where: Avalon Community Center, Avalon
Benefiting: The Matthew Mullin Memorial Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting charitable organizations that provide care and support for children in need and their families.

Medford Lakes Colony Memorial Day 5K
When: Monday, May 29
Where: Medford Lakes Colony, Medford Lakes
Benefiting: All proceeds benefit handicap accessibility within the community. The race will also support Operation Yellow Ribbon. You can bring items on race day that will be sent to soldiers.