Event Description
The QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in Association with PNC Bank presents its 10th annual Running with the Balloons 5K race on Sunday, July 28, 2019 at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ. It’s an exciting category of race, combining the elements of cross-country with a traditional road race.
The Race has been featured on a Nationally syndicated Running Show on BOTH the YES Network and Fox Sports Regionals across the USA. Click HERE to watch highlights of the 2018 Running with the Balloons 5K!
A signature item of this incredibly unique race is how we count down to race time. Anyone can use an airhorn or a pistol to begin a 5K, but that just won’t cut it around here. Each year we bring a death-defying thrill act to the Festival and they are the ones to officially start the race. This year Flippenout, our extreme trampoline thrill act presented by the New Jersey Lottery, will be the official “starting gun” for Sunday morning’s Running with the Balloons 5K! The performers will soar over 20 feet in the air to ring the starting bell for the race.
All runners’ entries include a full-day pass to the festival – highlighted by two mass hot air balloon ascensions (a $35 value if purchased at the gate), free parking ($10 value) and lawn seating for Sunday afternoon’s headline concert - The Beach Boys - at 3PM. And of course a commemorative tech t-shirt. AT $44 PRE-REGISTRATION YOU'RE GETTING THE RACE FOR FREE!!
EXTRA BONUS - the top overall male and female finishers will each win a free ride in a hot air balloon!
Race time is 8 a.m. Join over 1,000 runners on our fun, flat, fast, low-impact USATF-NJ certified 5K course with a mix of surfaces including pavement, gravel, dirt road, and grass. Start and finish right in the heart of the festival and be cheered on by thousands of our attendees. Add to this the spectacle of over 100 hot-air balloons taking off in a grand mass ascension and you have the most unique 5K in the country!
Medals will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in 5 year age groups: 14 and under, 15 - 19, 20 to 80+.
Are you up for the challenge!?!
Non-Refundable Registration Fee
Pre-registration to June 23rd: Adults are $44, Child ages 4-12 are $32
Pre-registration June 24th- July 24th: Adults are $48, Child ages 4-12 are $37
Race Day registration: Adult $55, Child $40
PLEASE NOTE: Race Day Registrations DO include a full day pass to the festival but DO NOT include free parking.
After registering, please print out your confirmation e-mail - or have it displayed on your smart phone - because it's important for the following:
1) Free parking - Please show the confirmation e-mail to the parking attendant so you can park without paying the $10 fee.
2) Free Admission - Please show your e-mail at the main gate to receive admission into the Festival.
3) Check-in - Please present the e-mail at runner check-in!
"Day of" race registration, as well as bib/t-shirt pickup, are from 6:30 am to 7:45 am. Arrive early, as you don't want to be pressed for time.
USATF Certified/Sanctioned worth 500 Grand Prix Points
USATF Members: $3 discount until July 24th
Computer Timing: Tristate Timing
Event details and schedule
Sunday, July 28th.
6:30 am - Registration and packet pick up. The runner check-in area is in the large Family Fun Pavilion Tent. Turn left once you pass through the main festival entrance and follow signs.
8:00 am – Running With The Balloons 5K
9:00 am - Awards
