Runners, take your mark! If you or someone in your fam is running the New Jersey Marathon or Half Marathon in Long Branch on April 27th, you don’t want to miss out on the RWJBarnabas Health Family Day festivities. And even if you’re not waving a sign for a loved one at the finish line, this event is a great way to spend a spring morning. Time with the family along the beach, teaching the kiddos how to be our healthiest selves, with a big dose of fun (did somebody say inflatables?) – sign me up!

Race day fun with RWJBarnabas Health

via New Jersey Marathon

Registration opens at 8AM and the morning of activities kicks off at 9AM and lasts until noon. Your athletes-in-training can lace up their sneaks for one of the kids’ races. There’s everything from a 50-yard dash for the toddler and pre-school set, to a 1.2 mile race for the big kids, and a 5K for adults. How excited will the little winners be to get a t-shirt and medal after crossing the finish line? If they’re not quite race-ready, there’s lots else to keep them busy. Inflatables, face painting and festival games will be a huge hit (always a #momwin) as you make your way through the Great Lawn right along the beachfront.

via New Jersey Marathon

What to know before you go

The 5K and kids’ races require registration, but you can register day of. Packet pickup is at the Diadora Exposition or on race morning. And RWJBarnabas Health Family Day is free and open to the public. Just head to the Ocean Promenade, a few yards north of Pier Village, between Ocean Place Resort and Rooney’s Crab House. Here’s a breakdown of the schedule and suggested ages for the kids’ races.

8:00am: 5K + Kids Races race day registration opens
8:45am: 5K registration closes
9:00am: RWJBarnabas Health Family Day activities begin
9:00am: 5K start
9:45am: Kids Races race day registration closes
10:00am: 1.2 mile Kids Race start (Ages 8+)
10:30am: 1/2 mile Kids Race start (Ages 7 – 8)
10:50am: 1/4 mile Kids Race start (Ages 5 – 6)
11:10am: 50 yard dash Kids Race start (Ages 2 – 4)
12:00pm: RWJBarnabas Health Family Day closes

Beach views, fresh air and lots of fun – sounds like a perfect way to take in New Jersey’s biggest race weekend as a family.

To register, click here and for more information click here.

RWJBarnabas Health Family Day at the New Jersey Marathon
Ocean Promenade
Long Branch, NJ
Cost: Free, Kids’ Races $15 registration, 5K $40 registration

Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.