Running with the Balloons 5K

The 9th Annual Running with the Balloons 5K is part of the weekend's festivities at The QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, the largest summertime hot air balloon festival in the country.  This USATF-NJ sanctioned race is worth 500 points toward the NJ Grand Prix and features a mix of surfaces including pavement, gravel, dirt road, and grass.  Complete with the world's most unique starting gun - The Human Cannonball shot out of a 35' long cannon!

It's an incredible value, as your registration fee includes day-long festival admission (up to a $35 value for adults), free event parking ($10 value), lawn seating for the featured concert - Creedence Clearwater Revisited - as well as the twice-daily launch of over 100 hot-air balloons.

Medals will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in 5 yr age groups:  14 and under, 15 - 19, 20-80+  And of course a tech t-shirt for all runners.  So come join the fun!

Event details and schedule
Running With The Balloons 5K starts at 8 am on Sunday, July 29.

"Day of" race registration, as well as bib/t-shirt pickup, are from 6 am to 7:30 am.  Arrive early, as you don't want to be pressed for time. 

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 this 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 free admission into the Festival.

3) Check-in - Please present the e-mail at runner check-in!

Computer Timing

Tristate Timing

USATF Certified, Sanctioned 500 Grand Prix Points

USATF Members $3 discount until July 19th

Schedule:

7:00am - Registration and packet pick up

8:00am - Race Start

9:00am - Awards