Guess Your Mile: Presented by Profunctional Running

In honor of the Boys & Girls Club Day for Kids, our 6th annual 5K to Wellness is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th, 2026, at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center in Branch Brook Park, Newark, NJ.

The Boys & Girls Club of Newark (BGCN) is an after-school program in Newark. We are more than an after-school program. We believe in supporting children from a holistic approach. On-site at the Boys & Girls Club of Newark, we have a pediatric dental center that provides no cost to low-cost dental services to children in the community, food distributions, vision care, and social and emotional support to children who attend the program.

Our first 5K fundraiser in 2021, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic that illuminated more access to care, allowed us to hire an additional wellness support staff to expand our wellness program. In addition, last year’s event catalyzed us to launch our mental and behavioral health clinic in October 2022. With your participation, we can expand our mental and behavioral service to our members and the greater Newark community by hiring additional licensed mental health practitioners. Additionally, your support will provide families access to nutrition education, case management to address immediate daily needs and dental and vision care. BGCN requests your support to make our 5th annual 5K to Wellness a success!

When you race with us, you will get cool stuff, too! You will receive a t-shirt and a 5K run/walk finisher medal. The race will take place on a USATF-certified course and is sanctioned.

Age Group Awards (M&F Overall Top 3, 15 & under, 16 -19, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 - 69, 70+ )

Join us, as we would love to take a 5K run/walk to Wellness with you!

Parking Information

There is parking located at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center. Additional free parking is available at a side parking lot at 987-1051 Franklin Ave, Newark, NJ 07107. There is a path from this lot leading into the park. You must cross the street toward the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center (a landmark near the start of the race).

Please join us for the 27th A8K Classic and the Tom Fleming 2K Run benefiting the Glen Ridge Educational Foundation.

Start time 8K 9:00AM, 2K 8:15AM.

The 8K Run honors local hero and Olympic Champion, Horace Ashenfelter, who won the steeplechase event at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland.

The 2K Run honors local hero Tom Fleming who won the 1973 and 1975 New York City Marathons.

COURSE: The 8K Course is a USATF Certified “relatively flat” road course with two water stops through historic Glen Ridge. The one mile course is USATF certified; an out and run back on Ridgewood Avenue.

USATF NJ Members receive a $3 discount Up until 5 days prior to the event (discount taken off during the registration process.)

To this All 8K Awards will be grab and go. Weather permitting the awards table will be in the High School parking lot other wise in the gym.