Event Details

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2026

Time: 8:30 AM

Location: Nomahegan Park, Cranford, NJ

About the Event

Enjoy a 5K run or walk in the scenic beauty of Nomahegan Park! This flat and fast course offers stunning views, peaceful ponds, and morning wildlife. Perfect for runners and walkers of all levels.

Hills? Nope! Flat and fast.

Water? Yes, at mile 1.5.

Medal & Treat: All finishers receive a medal, shirt and a delicious pretzel!

Charity Beneficiary

Proceeds will benefit Project Purple, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer through awareness, research, and patient support. Since 2010, Project Purple has made strides toward a future free of pancreatic cancer.

Learn more about their mission and values here.

Sponsorship Inquiries

Interested in sponsoring?

Email: [email protected]

"Anticipating the preservation of the Holmdel Horn Antenna and the creation of Dr. Robert Wilson Park."

The Shore Athletic Club is proud to host the

The 6th ANNUAL BIG BANG MILE

Saturday, July 18, 2026,

RAIN or SHINE!

Bell Works in Holmdel, NJ

Possibly the best records-eligible road mile course in the universe!

IMPORTANT: To make basic race registration cheaper, the Big Bang Mile T-shirt is now an optional $12 "add-on".

To guarantee your T-shirt and size, you MUST order it before June 15.

We will have a limited number of T-shirts for those who order them after June 15, but no guarantee on size or even availability.

PLEASE NOTE: This race is open to all types of runners and all age groups! Teams for the USATF-NJ 1 Mile Team Championship competition will be declared using the normal process. That is, team captains will submit their rosters by e-mail to the timing company (CompuScore in this case) and to the USATF-NJ LDR Committee the day before the race. USATF-NJ will send out e-mail early next week announcing the race and providing the details for the roster submission process. The Big Bang Mile registration web site is where non-USATF-NJ teams are declared.

TENTATIVE EVENT SCHEDULE

7:00 AM - Bib and t-shirt pick up

8:15 AM - Masters Men (ages 60+) Mile -- part of USATF-NJ Masters Men Team Championship

8:35 AM - Masters Women (ages 50+) Mile -- part of USATF-NJ Masters Women Team Championship

8:55 AM - Masters Men (ages 50-59) Mile -- part of USATF-NJ Masters Men Team Championship

9:10 AM - Masters Women (ages 40-49) Mile -- part of USATF-NJ Masters Women Team Championship

9:25 AM - Masters Men (ages 40-49) Mile -- part of USATF-NJ Masters Men Team Championship

9:40 AM - High School and Middle School (ages 12-18) Mile #

9:55 AM - Open Women Mile -- includes USATF-NJ Open Women Team Championship

10:10 AM - Open Men Mile -- includes USATF-NJ Masters Men Team Championship

10:25 AM - Community Run/Walk and U12 Mile ^

10:50 AM - Fitness Team Mile (office, bar, gym, restaurant, family teams) #

11:15 AM - Awards Ceremony

The schedule of each heat will be slightly adjusted on event day depending on the entries for each race.

^ For each person entered in the Community and Youth Mile, $X will be donated to our charity partner, Holmdel Youth Athletic Association.

For each team entered in the HS/MS Mile and the Fitness Mile, $X will be donated to our charity partner, Holmdel Youth Athletic Association.

TEAMS

Teams for the High School and Middle School Mile and for the Fitness Team Mile are created via the Big Bang Mile race website. Click on the "More" menu option and then on the appropriate team category.

There is no fee for creating a team.

The person who creates a team is the team's captain.

Only registered runners can be added to a team.

Team must have a minimum of 3 contestants.

To encourage family teams in the Fitness Team Mile, we allow a contestant to "double dip" by competing for a team in the Family category as well as a team in another Fitness Team Mile category.

Teams for the USATF-NJ Long Distance Running Grand Prix are handled through a separate process that is administered by USATF-NJ.

AWARDS

Open Runners Awards

Top 3 USATF-NJ runners in each of the Open Men and Open Women Mile races will be awarded either a pair of running shoes or cash (amount TBD).

Any non-USATF-NJ man or woman who finishes among the top 3 in their Open heat will receive cash (amount TBD).

To score for a USATF-NJ Open team, the individual needs to have been identified in the respective team submission(s) to Compuscore (the scoring company) and USATF-NJ. These submissions are anticipated to be due via email by 6 PM on Friday, July 17.

Masters (age 40+) Runners Awards

Top 3 USATF-NJ masters men and masters women based on age grading, based on their respective Masters Mile races (regardless of what Masters race participating in), will be awarded either a pair of running shoes or cash (amount TBD).

Any non-USATF-NJ man or woman who achieves the top age grading for their gender among Masters heat participants will receive $100 cash.

To score for a USATF-NJ Masters team, the individual needs to have been identified in the respective team submission(s) to Compuscore (the scoring company) and USATF-NJ. These submissions are anticipated to be due via email by 6 PM on Friday, July 17.

Age Group Awards

For any runners (USATF-NJ Member or not), as an individual to be eligible for the Age Group awards, you must run in the Race for your respective Age.

Age Groups (Male and Female) are for the Top 3 (Male and Female) for ages 18-29, and 5-year age groups from 30 through 79, and 80+.

*Age Group awards are custom designed medals and will be given out on race day during the Awards ceremony.

Cash Awards

$200 Cash Bonus for a winning time under 4:10 for the men or under 4:50 for the women.

Any open finisher in the top 3 who is not a USATF-NJ member will be eligible for a cash award ($100 for 1st, $75 for 2nd and $50 for 3rd for both men and women).

*It is anticipated that the Cash awards will be given out on race day during the Awards ceremony.

ANNOUNCING: $200 Cash Bonus for breaking a USATF-certified American 5-year age group record.

High School and Middle School Mile Awards

Prizes will be Awarded to the top 3 boys and the top 3 girls in the High School and the Middle School Mile.

Prizes will be Awarded to the top Team (up to 6 participants) in the High School and in the Middle School Mile.

*Awards are custom designed medals and will be given out on race day during the Awards ceremony.

FitnessTeam Mile Awards

Awards will be presented to the top team (up to 8 participants)

​ *Awards are custom designed medals and will be given out on race day during the Awards ceremony.

This race is the USATF-NJ 2024 1 Mile Road Championship Race for Open and Masters Men and Open and Masters Women.

Flat, fast USATF certified course on closed roads.

2021 Winners: Men - Luciano Fiore (Empire Elite Track Club) - 4:18.61. Women - Courtney Decker (Bellas) - 5:11.49

2022 Winners & Old Course Record Holders: Men - John Walker - 4:13.50. Women - Danielle (Tauro) Barnes - 5:06.44

2023 Winners: Men - Brian Hill (Shore Athletic Club) - 4:20.25. Women - Clara Peterson - 5:02.08 (record for new course).

2024 Winners: Men - Noah Falasco - 4:20.76. Women - Perry Shoemaker (Potomac Valley Track Club) - 5:24.30.

2025 Winners: Men - Brian Hill (Shore Athletic Club) - 4:14.97 (record for new course). Women - Courtney Decker - 5:11.74.

Meet Record Holders: Men (2022) - John Walker - 4:13.50. Women (2023) - Clara Peterson - 5:02.08.

REGISTRATION

$20 - Early bird discount for all races until March 31.

$25 - All races from April 1 to May 31. Price Increase to $30 on June 1!

Registration closes Friday, July 17, 2026

No registration on race day

No animals or headphones allowed in any heat for safety. Strollers allowed only in the Community race.

Custom Big Bang Mile T-shirts may be ordered along with your race registration. Each T-shirt costs $12.

T-shirt availability and size is guaranteed ONLY if ordered before June 15!!

THE STORY BEHIND THE BIG BANG MILE

The Bell Works building was once a primary location for Bell Laboratories. “Bell Labs” attracted top-notch scientists to conduct basic research that might advance telephony. Two such scientists, Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson, studied radio signals from space in support of the Telstar project. In 1964, to their surprise, they observed a background noise coming from every direction in the sky. Wherever they pointed their radio telescope, they measured the same frequency and strength of microwave radiation. Puzzled, Penzias and Wilson conferred with colleagues. Princeton University astronomer Robert Dicke revealed they had found evidence for the Big Bang. This is a theory that the universe started with an explosion 13.8 billion years ago. For their important contribution to science, Penzias and Wilson were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1978.

The radio telescope used by Penzias and Wilson still stands today. It is located on top of Crawford Hill, about 2 miles northwest of the Bell Works facility. A nearby plaque explains its significance. It is worth a visit. In fact, Holmdel Township has purchased the 30 acres that surround the antenna and will convert it into Dr. Robert Wilson Park.

The Shore Athletic Club, New Jersey's oldest running club, dedicates the Big Bang Mile Race to scientists everywhere. We hope that runners draw inspiration from this story to learn more about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and perhaps even pursue a STEM career. Aim high!

Miles for Minds 5K

Run. Walk. Roll.

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Roosevelt Park, Edison, NJ

Miles for Minds 5K is a family-friendly event that is fun for all ages. Whether you are looking to participate in your first 5K or you are a seasoned runner, our USATF sanctioned, timed race is appropriate for all skill levels. However, if you are looking for a lighter pace, there is also a 1-mile Walk & Roll Fun Run around Roosevelt Park's lake prior to the start of the official 5K race.

Pre-Registration: $30 This registration type is for runners who would like to compete in the USATF certified and timed 5K. Includes official runner bib, t-shirt and refreshments.

**Registration after Monday, July 20: $35

Walk & Roll Fun Run registration: $20 This registration type is for walkers, rollers and attendees looking to participate in the 1 mile fun run. Includes t-shirt and refreshments. Walk & Roll Registrants will not be timed or scored competitively and will not be eligible for race awards.

You can also register in person on race day from 7:30 am - 9:00 am

T-shirts are not guaranteed. Register early!

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Proceeds from the event will support the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute at JFK University Medical Center. From our world-renowned Center for Brain Injuries to life-saving programs such as Stroke and Cardiac Rehabilitation, funds raised will be used to advance patient care across our full spectrum of rehabilitation services by helping to support equipment, research, staff training and facility upgrades. For additional information please visit GiveHMH.org/JFKM4M.

Fundraising Incentives:

Top Individual Fundraiser ($2,000+): Miles for Minds 2026 race medal, inclusion in post-race email to all participants as top individual fundraiser

Top Fundraising Team ($3,000+): Inclusion in post-race email to all participants as top fundraising team

Questions about fundraising? Contact [email protected]

We encourage participants to create a fundraising page after registering. Click 'BECOME A FUNDRAISER' at the top of this page to get started. Fundraising pages will stay open leading up to the race, closing on August 1. Fundraising participants are eligible to receive incentives, which will be mailed out after the race to the address you provided in your registration.

Race Day Schedule:

7:30 a.m. - On-site registration opens

8:30 a.m. - Walk & Roll Fun Run begins

9:00 a.m. - 5K race begins

Awards Ceremony to immediately follow race finish.

Awards:

Top 3 Overall Male & Female

Top 3 Male & Female in each of the following age groups:

Age Groups: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

Miscellaneous:

• Race scoring and timing provided by CompuScore.

• USATF Certified Course and Sanctioned Race Course Description: Park loop on roads. Scenic, wooded, shaded and lakeside.

• Course traffic controlled and marshaled. Emergency medical technicians on-site.

• Baby strollers, bicycles, pets, skates,and roller blades are prohibited in the 5K race.

• Water will be available at the start, on the course and at the finish.

What is a Tunnel to Towers Climb?

The Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk & Climb Series was created to honor the heroic life and death of StephenSiller, a New York City firefighter (FDNY) who lost his life on September 11, 2001 after strapping on his gear and running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers. We honor all of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and support our first responders and military who make extraordinary sacrifices in the line of duty! For more information on the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, please visit t2t.org.

How much of the stadium do I have to climb?

You will be following the aisles through the stadium seating, starting in Section 1 and climbing up, down and around to the other side of the stadium at least 5 times (Approx. 2,200 ft of “track”). Click on the link below for an overview of the stadium. Volunteers will be guiding the Climbers.

Patriot Stadium Seating Chart

Do I have to climb all the way to the top floor in order to participate in the T2T Tower Climb?

No, this is a challenge by choice event and we are just glad you can join us.

How many bailout locations are there?

There will be several opportunities to bail out at the top of each aisle. Water stations will be available and the start and end points each round, with concessions open in the middle.

Will there be medical assistance if necessary?

There will be medics on the premises in the event of an emergency.

How long does the T2T Tower Climb take?

This depends on how many steps you climb, and on your fitness level, speed and amount of time spent at rest areas. Some of our fastest climbers finish in about 45 minutes but please climb at your own pace.

Is this a timed climb?

Yes, we will have a timing company on site this year to time our climbers.

Can climbers stop on a landing to catch their breath?

Yes, but please try to stop at the top of the aisles in the concourse where there is more room for other climbers to continue around you. Slower climbers should move to the right, allowing faster climbers to pass on the left.

I might get tired and be unable to finish, what should I do?

No problem, this is a challenge by choice event. If you are in need of medical assistance, please ask a volunteer for help.

I want to participate, but I'm not sure if stairs are for me. Can I still participate?

Yes! Participants who do not wish to climb stairs are welcome to walk at one of the designated areas of the stadium as a way of participating as well. The concourse is wheelchair accessible as well.

I’m a first responder; can I wear my bunker/turnout gear, scott packs, etc.?

Yes, you may wear turnout gear. In fact, we encourage it!

Can I bring my cell phone?

Yes!

When can I pick up my registration packet (bib and T-shirt)?

Packet pick up will be available starting Thursday, July 30th - Friday, July 31st from 1:00 - 7:00 pm. Saturday (event day) pickup begins at 6:00 am until 7:45 AM.

For the EARLY BIRDS who pick up early, a limited amount of discounted tickets will be given out!

(YOU CANNOT BE GUARANTEED A SHIRT IF YOU REGISTER LATE)

Location : TD Bank Ballpark

1 Patriots Park

Bridgewater, NJ 08807

GPS: 860 E Main St., Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807

What time should I arrive at TD Bank Ballpark?

The event will begin at 8:00am with a ceremony, so we can beat the heat when the climb starts, immediately following the opening remarks. All participants must have their t-shirts in order to participate in the event. All participants should enter through the main gates. We invite all participants to stay until the end for the closing ceremony and to hand out awards.

Can I bring a bag with me?

Yes, and subject to be checked. The Foundation is not responsible for any personal items/valuables.

Are electronics, cameras allowed at the T2T Tower Climb?

Yes. Cameras and video are allowed. The Foundation is not responsible for any personal items/valuables. Cameras, Go-Pros and video are allowed during the climb.

Can my friends and family wait for me at the Finish Line?

Yes, absolutely!

Will I receive an event T-shirt?

Yes. All participants in the T2T Climb will receive an event T-shirt and finisher's medal who register in advance. We do not guarantee t-shirts for late registrations. T-shirts can be picked up at the designated packet pick-up locations. Please make sure that even if you do not complete the climb to report to the Finish Line with your bib to receive your medal.

Where do the funds raised go?

The goal of this event is to raise money to honor first responders and military heroes. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation’s various programs including our Smart Home, Fallen First Responder, Gold Star Family, Veteran Homelessness programs. To learn more about the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and our programs, please visit t2t.org.

Is any portion of my entry fee tax-deductible?

No. The entry fee helps cover the cost of producing the T2T Tower Climb, and includes a participant t-shirt. This is why fundraising is so important! All donations made or raised above and beyond your entry fee are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Can I still fundraise beyond the date of the climb?

YES! The amount raised for incentive prizes will be determined at 6 weeks post event, but we encourage everyone to raise additional funds.