Race calendar · October 2026 · New Jersey
Every 5K in New Jersey in October 2026, all 127 of them, sorted by date. Dates, entry fees, finish-time stats from past results, and start-line maps.
127 5K races in October 2026
What the field actually runs
How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Sep 22, 2026.
When in October
5K races do not spread evenly across October. The busiest weekend is October 17 and October 18, with 34 of them. Another 4 fall on a weekday.
By the numbers
The October 5K races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.
The busiest weekend in New Jersey is October 17 and October 18, with 34 5K races on those two days, and the single busiest day is Saturday, October 10 with 19. Another 4 fall on a weekday, which is worth knowing if you are traveling for one.
As early as you can. 43 of these October 5K races already have a price increase on the calendar, and 119 are open for entry right now. Another 6 have published an opening date and have not opened yet.
The typical entry is $30, with paid entries running from $5 up to $500, and 1 that are free to enter. Entry fees climb as race day gets closer, so the same race is usually cheapest the week it opens.
Across the 73 of these October 5K races with published results from past editions, the median finisher ran 31:54, and the median winning time was 18:10. So anything under 31:54 puts you in the faster half of a typical field. That is the middle of these RunSignup fields, walkers and charity entrants included, not a national average.
The median one finished 123 runners, across the 73 of these October 5K races with published results from past editions. Most are far smaller than the big-city events people picture, which means less crowding at the start and a friendlier field, with a last recorded finisher at 59:19.
Yes, 7 races around New Jersey get you off the pavement: 4 are trail races, and 3 mix road and trail. Surfaces are not always published, so it is worth checking a specific race before you register.
September and November sit either side of October, which is where most people look next when a date does not fit.
