Sat, Jan 30, 2027

Penguin Pace

Wayne, NJ

Registration openAnnual since at least 2016

Entry is $38 now and rises to $40 after Nov 7, 2026, so registering before then saves $2.

About the Penguin Pace

The Penguin Pace is a winter road race in Wayne, and the cold is very much the point. Costumes are encouraged, penguin themed or otherwise, and plenty of runners show up in character. The race benefits the Wayne Interfaith Network Food Pantry, so there is a local cause behind the entry fee.

Hot cocoa is waiting at the finish, which is exactly what you want after a cold-weather race. The post-race atmosphere leans toward hanging around, warming up, and talking to people in penguin suits.

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Penguin Pace 2026 Results

Going by the 2026 results, this is a decent-sized field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

5K Results · 2026

316finishers

16:00winner

28:03median

1:03:02cutoff

Top 3: MILTON CAMAS (16:00) · ANGEL GONZALEZ (16:45) · FAHIM CHOWDHURY (16:50)

The Penguin Pace has been held every year since at least 2016. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 5K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

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 Oct 23, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K1/30/2027 09:00$38

Penguin Pace Kids Fun Run1/30/2027 08:30$16

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Not sure what to aim for? The 5K pace chart lists the pace for every finish time.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Wayne — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.

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Common Questions About the Penguin Pace

Will I finish last at the Penguin Pace?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 28:03, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:03:02, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Penguin Pace a good first 5K?

A field of 316 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 5K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Penguin Pace?

The 5K winner ran 16:00 while the median finisher took 28:03. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.

Browse the Race Calendar

5K Races in January 5K Races in New Jersey in January Winter 5K Races

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