From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find virtual events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
WHAT
The Wingman Foundation Coastal Carolina Memorial 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run
WHY
The Coastal Carolina Memorial 5K and Kid's Fun Run is an annual event to remember the life and legacy of service members lost in Navy and Marine Corps aviation mishaps. This event is an opportunity for the family members to connect with others who knew their loved ones, support the mission of The Wingman Foundation, or want to learn more about those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
This year we will remember the crew of Yanky 72, which included the Marine Corps KC-130 aircrew and Marine Special Operations Sailors and Marines.
This year's race will be held in Union Point Park in New Bern, NC. There is also an option to participate virtually to support The Wingman Foundation from wherever you are.
The missions of The Wingman Foundation continue: 1) Supporting families in the immediate aftermath of the mishap and 2) Continuing to remember those air warriors we have lost to Navy and Marine Corps aviation mishaps.
DISTANCES OFFERED
5K - Timed
1 Mile - Untimed Fun Run
Virtual Race*
*Please note price reflects shipping expense for shirt. Shirts and medals will be mailed after the race.
WHERE
Union Point Park
Union Point Park
New Bern, NC 28560
HOW TO REGISTER
Register Before the Race: Click on the SIGN UP button in the upper right corner
Register At Pre-Race Packet Pickup or On Race Day: You can register online anytime before the start of the race. If you register onsite, you will be asked to scan a QR code with your phone and register online.
PARKING
Parking is available in Union Point Park. There is additional curbside parking throughout the area downtown. Other parking options include parking lots near the convention center and hotel.
RACE SCHEDULE
Click HERE for the Full Schedule
Neuse River Bridge Run helps bridge gaps in our community!
Adults and children, lace up your running shoes for fun, exercise and a worthy cause! For over 20 years, the Neuse River Bridge Run (NRBR) has been uniting runners, walkers, volunteers and sponsors - all to support five important non-profit organizations in our community. The NRBR follows routes over bridges, through historic neighborhoods, and through downtown New Bern. We offer four events, a 1/2 Marathon, at 10K, a 5K, and the SuperKids Fun Run. In addition to the 4 in-person races the NRBR will continue to offer all four options as virtual events for 2026.
Our mission is to serve the community by promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. All five organizations are committed to working together to manage this event resulting in great benefits to our communities. The five organizations equally share 100% of the net revenue generated by the events. The Craven Community College Foundation, The Filling Station, Duffyfield Phoenix Project, Mediation Center of Eastern Carolina, and Twin River YMCA all benefit from your participation. Please visit this link to learn more about us!
Please note that only the in-person ½ Marathon and 10K events can offer the full bridges experience. Virtual runners will need to plot their own course that does not include runs over the Neuse River Bridge. The Neuse River Bridge is only safe for runners on our designated in-person date of Saturday, May 2, 2026.
In-person 1/2 Marathon and the 10K courses feature a run over the large span of the Neuse River Bridge. All three courses, 5K-10K-1/2 marathon, include a run over the George Cunningham Bridge which spans the Trent River. Then the courses wind through a circuit around and though historic New Bern. The races all finish on East Front Street in front of the Riverfront Convention Center of Craven County in New Bern.
IN PERSON EVENTS
Race Dates: Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2, 2026
SuperKids Fun Run
Race day is Friday, May 1, 2026. The fee for the SuperKids Fun Run is $20 per child. Start time: 5:30 p.m.
4:00 to 5:30 p.m. - Check-in & Registration at Union Point Park
Registration and pick-up for t-shirts and goodie bags begins at 4:00 p.m. Then the young runners will join with our volunteer crew of Craven Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training students for games, warms up and a little coaching prior to the race events. The children will be grouped by age category and the races will start a 5:30 p.m.
Click Here for complete details about race day for the SuperKids Fun Run
1/2 MARATHON, 10K and 5K
Saturday, May 2, 2026
All three of these events will be timed. A chip enabled bib is required and will distributed at Race-Kit Pick-up events at the Riverfront Convention Center on Friday, May 1 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 2 from 6:00 a.m. to 15 minutes before the start of your race.
Start Times:
7:00 a.m. Half Marathon
7:30 a.m. 10K
8:15 a.m. 5K
Timing
Official timing for the Neuse River Bridge Run in-person events will be provided by our partners Run the East. Run the East is North Carolina’s leading provider of professional race timing and management services. Their focus is on providing registration, timing, and management services to area events, with a goal to provide both race directors and runners an excellent race experience.
Fees
Early registration is through February 28th. Prices will increase on March 1, 2026.
Current In-Person Fees:
Half Marathon: $70 ($80 after February 28, 2026)
10K: $55 ($65 after February 28, 2026)
5K: $45 ($50 after February 28, 2026)
Kids Run: $20 (no price change)
The top three finishers in the in-person races, 5K, 10K & Half Marathon, in both male and female categories, will receive a Gold, Silver or Bronze medals. The top three finishers in the in-person races, in both male and female categories, in 13 different age groups will receive Gold, Silver or Bronze medals. In addition, all 1/2 marathon runners who complete the race will receive a finisher medal at the finish line.
Age Group Categories:
Age 14 and Under
Age 15 to 19
Age 20 to 24
Age 25 to 29
Age 30 to 34
Age 35 to 39
Age 40 to 44
Age 45 to 49
Age 50 to 54
Age 55 to 59
Age 60 to 64
Age 65 to 69
Age 70 and over
VIRTUAL EVENTS
Virtual Fees
Half Marathon: $70 ($80 after February 28, 2026)
10K: $55 ($65 after February 28, 2026)
5K: $45 ($50 after February 28, 2026)
Kids Run: $20 (no price change)
Date Range for the virtual events: Friday, May 1 - Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Virtual Races will not be timed, but race results can be tracked and reported via the Smart phone app RaceJoy. Times can also be reported through the NRBR website. Place medals will not be awarded to virtual participants. 1/2 Marathon runners will receive the participation / finishers medal.
Virtual participants can choose to pick-up their race kit at Riverfront Convention Center on Friday, May 1st OR they may to choose to pay a shipping fee to have their T-shirt and race swag mailed to them at $7.95 per person. The first mail date for virtual race kits is April 20.
POST RACE CELEBRATION
A celebration for all participants, their families, and supporters, will be held in the Riverfront Convention Center of Craven County (across the street from Union Point Park) in The View on the waterfront side of the center and on the Riverfront Veranda from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Food, soft drinks, and beer will be served. Awards distribution will begin at 8:30 a.m. in The View (the large room on the waterfront side of the convention center)
The Boots and Blooms 5K is a race in honor and memory of ALL of the babies gone too soon. The Boots and Blooms Foundation was created in loving memory of our daughter, Lilly, and our son, Andy, to help other bereaved families who experience the devastating loss of a child.
Our 5K will be held annually on the first Saturday in October to kick off Pregnancy and Infant loss awareness month. This year’s race will be 10/3/2026. We will also have a virtual 5K option open 10/1/26-10/5/26. This is a walk or run event!
Since our daughter Lilly was stillborn on May 14, 2018 we have made it our mission to help other bereaved families. We lost our son Andy on February 17, 2023 and unfortunately have been through this nightmare twice now and know how important it is to be able to make memories with your baby. With the help of our family and friends, as well as the proceeds from our previous fundraising events, we have been able to help hundreds of bereaved families create memories with their babies during the brief time they physically have to spend with them.
Proceeds from this 5K will go towards helping other bereaved families that have to endure the unimaginable and to help them make memories with their baby while they can. We would love for you to join us to remember and honor all of the babies that should still physically be here with us.
Check out our foundation’s website or Facebook page for more info on what we’ve done to help other bereaved families.
www.bootsandbloomsfoundation.org
Giveaway
You will receive an awesome t-shirt for participating in our 5K but be sure to register by September 5th to guarantee a t-shirt as T-shirt order will be placed the first week of September.
Awards
Medals will be awarded to the top 3 male and female overall finishers as well as the top male and female finishers in each age group:
0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and older
We can’t wait to show off this year’s medals!
Course Description
The Boots and Blooms 5K will take place at the beautiful Martin Marietta Park in New Bern, NC. The race will utilize the Dragonfly trail and other adjacent trails to have a total distance of 5K. This is an improved gravel trail with minimal elevation changes. Come run, walk, or push a jogging stroller with us! (Umbrella strollers would be ideal on the trail). Enjoy the scenic views while supporting a great cause. There will be one water station along the course and light refreshments following the race.
USA Swimming Club. 22 members.