Garden State 10 Miler & Cookie Chase 5k

Lace up your running shoes for "NJ's Favorite Distance Race," the Garden State 10 Miler & Cookie Chase 5k, returning on March 22, 2026, to the picturesque Colonial Park in Somerset, NJ. This event offers a diverse range of distances, including a challenging 10 Miler, a delightful Cookie Chase 5K, a 2-person 10M Relay, and a fun 1-mile Youth Run, ensuring there's a race for every age and ability. For those seeking an extra feat, tackle the Half Marathon Challenge by completing both the 5K and 10 Miler to earn an additional "Challenge Accepted" medal.

The scenic course winds through the beautiful Colonial Park, boasting frontage along the historic Delaware and Raritan Canal and the Millstone River, with views of horticultural displays, broad lawns, and ponds. While celebrated for its beauty, runners should be prepared for more hills than anticipated on the 10-mile asphalt course, which also includes some concrete and gravel sections. Aid stations are strategically placed, offering water and Gatorade to keep you hydrated. Typical race day conditions in late March bring highs around 53°F and lows around 33°F, with a modest 14% chance of precipitation, creating crisp running weather.

Beyond the run, this race, a collaborative fundraiser by the Garden State Track Club and the Franklin Township Police Department, has a strong charitable history, having donated $35,000 to various causes and now providing scholarships to local high school seniors since its inception in 2017. Participants can also look forward to unique touches like a different New Jersey theme each year, awesome finisher medals, and, for 5K participants, a post-race cookie to celebrate. While some past participants noted occasional disorganization at packet pickup and the start, the course is generally well-marked and closed off, offering a pleasant and uncrowded running experience.