Boys & Girls Club of Newark 5K to Wellness

Sat, Sep 19, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT

Location: Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Branch Brook Park, Newark, NJ 07104
Distance: 5K
Type: Run

Finish signup on the organizer site (check fees and dates there).

Race feel

Run or walk a certified 5K to support the Boys & Girls Club of Newark's essential wellness and health programs for local youth.

Competitive
For a Cause

Great for

Beginner Friendly
School & Youth Teams

Join the 6th annual Boys & Girls Club of Newark 5K to Wellness, a meaningful event supporting vital youth programs. Your participation directly helps expand mental and behavioral health services, provide nutrition education, and ensure access to dental and vision care for children in the Newark community. This 5K run/walk, held in Branch Brook Park, is a chance to contribute to a holistic approach to child well-being while enjoying a USATF-certified course.

From the organizer

In honor of the Boys & Girls Club Day for Kids, our 6th annual 5K to Wellness is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th, 2026, at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center in Branch Brook Park, Newark, NJ.

The Boys & Girls Club of Newark (BGCN) is an after-school program in Newark. We are more than an after-school program. We believe in supporting children from a holistic approach. On-site at the Boys & Girls Club of Newark, we have a pediatric dental center that provides no cost to low-cost dental services to children in the community, food distributions, vision care, and social and emotional support to children who attend the program.

Our first 5K fundraiser in 2021, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic that illuminated more access to care, allowed us to hire an additional wellness support staff to expand our wellness program. In addition, last year’s event catalyzed us to launch our mental and behavioral health clinic in October 2022. With your participation, we can expand our mental and behavioral service to our members and the greater Newark community by hiring additional licensed mental health practitioners. Additionally, your support will provide families access to nutrition education, case management to address immediate daily needs and dental and vision care. BGCN requests your support to make our 5th annual 5K to Wellness a success!

When you race with us, you will get cool stuff, too! You will receive a t-shirt and a 5K run/walk finisher medal. The race will take place on a USATF-certified course and is sanctioned.

Age Group Awards (M&F Overall Top 3, 15 & under, 16 -19, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 - 69, 70+ )

Join us, as we would love to take a 5K run/walk to Wellness with you!

Parking Information

There is parking located at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center. Additional free parking is available at a side parking lot at 987-1051 Franklin Ave, Newark, NJ 07107. There is a path from this lot leading into the park. You must cross the street toward the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center (a landmark near the start of the race).