Strides For Scholars

Join us for the 4th Annual Kean University Founders 5K to celebrate Kean University's inception in 1855!

Sunday, April 12th, 2026

Check in: 7:30am

Race Start: 9:00am

Location: Campus Course, North Avenue Entrance

1000 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083

Course Description: Flat & paved 2 loop course

Packet Pickup:

Skip the check in line on Sunday morning! All runners and walkers can pick up their race shirt and bib on Saturday 4/11 from 10:00am-2:00pm in Kean's North Avenue Academic Building Lobby (Google Maps)!

USATF Certified: 26-07-161984

Age Groups:

14 and Under

15 to 19

20 to 24

25 to 29

30 to 34

35 to 39

40 to 44

45 to 49

50 to 54

55 to 59

60 to 64

65 to 69

70 to 74

75 to 79

80 and Over

On Saturday, April 18, 2026 St. Joseph will celebrate our 40th Anniversary and the 40th consecutive year of our Soup Kitchen program with a community walk from The Parish Community of St. Helen in Westfield, NJ to St. Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth, NJ. The Camino de St. Joseph is modeled after the European pilgrimage Camino de Santiago and there are several ways to participate in the event.

Ways to Participate

Pray with Us

Join us for Mass at The Parish Community of St. Helen, 1600 Rahway Ave, Westfield, NJ 07090

Time: 9:00 A.M.

Walk with Us

There are 3 options to join the walk:

• 9-mile walk: This option is the full walk and begins at The Parish Community of St. Helen in Westfield. This option may take approximately 3.5 - 4 hours with stops at St. John the Apostle in Clark and Warinano Sports Center in Roselle. Check-in for the 9-mile walk begins at 9:15AM. *If you will be joining Mass and joining the 9-mile walk, please feel free to check-in for the walk at 8:30AM.

• 6-mile walk: This option allows participants to join the walk at St. John's and it may take 2.5 hours. Check-in for the 6-mile begins at 10:30AM.

• 3-mile walk: This option allows participants to join the walk at Warinanco Sports Center which will take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Check-in for the 3-mile walk begins at 11:15AM.

Break Bread with Us

Location: St. Joseph Social Service Center, 118 Division St. Elizabeth

Time: approximately 2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Donate Food

Each starting point will also serve as a food donation site if you are interested in donating non-perishable food items. Currently, our urgent needs include 1 lb bags of rice, boxed pasta, plastic jars of pasta sauce, assorted boxed cereal, canned and dry black beans, and shelf-stable milk.

Donate Funds

Please consider making a monetary donation to support our work. You can donate via RunSignUp at the top right of this page, visit our website at https://www.sjeliz.org/donate-online.html, or mail a check to St. Joseph Social Service Center 118 Division St. Elizabeth NJ 07201.

The Camino de St. Joseph represents more than a path. It represents a journey of hope, stability, and community. When you give, you walk with families facing hardship. You help place food on tables, provide warm clothing, assist with life-saving medications, and connect individuals to vital social services. Every gift, at every level, strengthens this path. Thank you for always supporting St. Joseph Social Service Center's mission.

Saturday, April 25, 2026

8K Road Race | 1.5 Mile Run/Walk | Liz Kid's Run

The ELIZABETH 8K is a family-friendly event with a competitive edge, held each spring in Charlotte, NC. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the race has become a beloved local tradition, drawing more than 1,300 runners in recent years to experience one of the city’s oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods.

Starting and finishing just off Elizabeth Avenue, the course winds through the historic, tree-lined streets that make this event a Charlotte favorite. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or just out for a good time, there’s something for everyone:

An 8K timed race: Whether you’re a competitive runner going for some of the best awards in Charlotte or a casual runner looking to enjoy a scenic course, this timed event offers a fantastic tour of the Elizabeth neighborhood’s residential and commercial streets.

A 1.5M untimed run/walk: Great for casual participants and young competitive runners alike—walk with friends, jog with your kids, or let the next generation test their speed on a fun, approachable course through the neighborhood.

The Liz Kids’ Fun Run: A free, ~50-yard dash for children six and under. This fan and parent favorite is the perfect way for the little ones to join the excitement—no registration needed, just show up ready to run!

SPONSORS. We’re deeply grateful to our local, regional, and national sponsors whose support makes the Elizabeth 8K possible. Their generosity not only brings this event to life but enhances the experience for every participant. We encourage everyone to thank them by supporting their businesses throughout the year.

BENEFICIARIES. Proceeds benefit the beautification of the Elizabeth Community Association, and TreesCharlotte, a public/private nonprofit dedicated to growing, diversifying, and stewarding Charlotte’s iconic urban forest.

Spring is coming! So that means it's time for the 4th Annual Run For Casey 5k! This 5k Run/Walk benefiting The Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood Foundation will take place at Nomahegan Park, in Cranford New Jersey, on Saturday, May 2nd. The Nomahegan Park 5K route is a scenic, flat loop, with a water station around the halfway point. Perfect for Runners and Walkers of all levels. We are in the process of becoming USTAF certified!

The race will be chip timed, with medals and prizes for the top 3 Male and Female finishers in all age categories.

There will also be a kids 1 Mile Fun Run and kids corner with face painting, crafts, and raffles.

The Kids Fun run will start at 9:15. 5K start time is 10:00 am.

Bib pickup starts at 8:30 am on May 2nd.

5k Early Bird Pricing: $35 through March, 31st, $40 April 1st until race day.

Race T-shirts guaranteed for everyone that registers before April 15th.

This race is being hosted by Ellen and Jonathan Young, in memory of their daughter Casey. Please visit our website, Remembering Casey, created to honor Casey's memory.

All proceeds raised from the run will directly support the SUDC Foundation's mission to promote awareness, fund research, and serve those affected by SUDC. SUDC is the fifth leading category of death in children ages one to four, yet SUDC receives no public funding. The SUDC Foundation provides all services at no cost to families.

Parking is available on site, and overflow parking is available at Union County College, across the street from Nomahegan Park.

A chip-timed 5K through Summit for participants of all ages and abilities to walk or run in honor of someone impacted by cancer, to remember loved ones, and to celebrate the legacies that inspire us to keep moving forward.

Proceeds from the Love and Legacy 5K directly support LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, a free program that helps cancer survivors regain strength, confidence, and connection.

RACE DAY SCHEDULE

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Location: Summit YMCA, Maple Street

7:30 – 8:15 AM – Race Day Registration & Check-In

8:15 – 8:29 AM – Announcements & Pre-Race Warm-Up

8:30 AM – Official 5K Start

9:30 AM – Awards Ceremony

FAMILY FUN FAIR - 8:30 A.M. - RAIN or SHINE!!

Enjoy games, face painting, tattoos, crafts, and MORE! These events will take place during and immediately following the 5K.

KIDS DASH - 10:00 A.M. *Subject to slight delay based on event flow.

A special race just for the smaller kids! This shorter course will be held on the Village Green grass. To keep things safe and fun, we’ll organize participants into smaller age-level heats based on the total number of children registered or for those who created their very own Kids Dash Team. After their first run, runners will be grouped again with peers of similar speed for a second dash so everyone gets another chance to race, cheer, and have fun. All participants receive their own race bib and a medal.

LOVE AND LEGACY TREE

Let's honor those who have made a lasting impact in our lives. Bring a photo, drawing, painting, or other memento to hang on our dedicated tree in tribute to your loved one(s).

RACE SHIRTS

Register by April 8 to receive an official Love and Legacy 5K shirt! No extra shirts will be available after this date.

RACE PACKET PICK-UP

Thursday, April 30 4-6:45pm at Fleet Feet 355 Springfield Ave, Summit, NJ 07901

TBA at Berkeley Heights YMCA 59 Locust Ave, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

COURSE RULES

Strollers are allowed, please be mindful of fellow runners and allow others to pass freely.

Dogs are not permitted on the course due to USATF regulations, but they’re welcome to cheer from the sidelines!

AWARDS & MEDALS

Top Finishers: Awards for the top overall male & female finishers

Age Group Winners: Awards for the top male & female in each age category:

9 & Under

10 – 14

15 – 19

20 – 29

30 – 39

40 – 49

50 – 59

60 – 69

70 & Above

**IMPORTANT INFO

Rain or Shine! The race will take place regardless of weather conditions. However, the Family Fun Fair may be canceled if conditions are unsafe.

Stay Updated: Any weather-related updates will be sent via email—please check your inbox before race day!

No Refunds: Registration fees are non-refundable, even in the event of cancellations.