As the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding approaches in 2026, New Jersey plans to host 5K races and family fun walks at historic sites across the state.

RevolutionNJ is organizing the upcoming series. The statewide partnership between the New Jersey Historical Society and Crossroads of the American Revolution Association focuses on planning efforts related to the U.S. semiquincentennial.

Race locations include:

• Monmouth Battlefield State Park – Aug. 10
• Princeton Battlefield State Park – Sept. 8
• East Jersey Old Town Village – Oct. 13
• Historic Greenwich Township – Nov. 9

Participants in 5K races will receive a T-shirt, commemorative magnet and finisher’s medal. The top three fastest runners in each 10-year age category will also receive awards. Additionally, anyone who completes all four races will earn a special commemorative medal, according to RevolutionNJ.

Non-runners are encouraged to join a 1-mile family fun walk and will also receive a T-shirt and commemorative magnet.

Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy unique historical activities at each site, too.

Additional information on the RevolutionNJ Race Series is available here.

A place for everyone

Sare Cureton, executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission, said the 5K runs and fun walks are “one of the many ways that RevolutionNJ is fostering a multigenerational commemoration of the 250th.”

See also:

Efforts are underway in Bergen County to ensure the Historic New Bridge Landing is ready for America’s 250th anniversary. Click here to see what’s being planned.

“We hope everyone finds a place in the festivities, whether they are an avid historian, recreational runner, or a family looking for ways to get outside on the weekend,” she said.

“This racing series is a perfect example of the importance of New Jersey’s historical sites both as places to learn about our past and as locations to support communities’ health and well-being,” said Carrie Fellows, executive director of Crossroads of the American Revolution. “We think this type of creative historical event is vital to New Jersey’s heritage tourism industry, but just as importantly, they are good fun.”

Though the historic milestone is a little under two years away, planning efforts have been underway for quite some time. That works aims to ensure the Garden State can handle the expected influx of interest leading up to July 4, 2026, and beyond. 

Created through state legislation in 2018, RevolutionNJ offers organizations from all sectors tools, resources and connections to help them leverage the unique moment in New Jersey history.

According to New Jersey officials, events related to the 250th birthday will begin this year and continue through 2033. That milestone year marks the 250th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris. Besides ending the Revolutionary War, the pact also recognized U.S. independence.