The New York Road Runners’ first New Jersey race takes place this Saturday, May 4.
The Newport Fiesta 5K is a mostly flat race that takes runners through the streets of Newport and downtown Jersey City. The race kicks off at 5pm and will include shorter distance runs for kids as well as a post-race festival celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Newport Green. (If you’re not running, you’ll want to keep these street closures in mind as you go about your day).
Admission to the race (for non-NYRR members) is $35/pp. Runners should also keep in mind that there will be no water/Gatorade stations along the course, but water/refreshments will be provided at the finish line.
The race also has a time limit and participants must be able to maintain a 13:45-per-mile pace (based on the time when the last runner crosses the start line). After that, traffic will reopen on the streets. (Although runners will be able to continue running on sidewalks).
Cash awards will be given to the top 5 men/women runners. The course is as follows (you can download a PDF of the course here):
Mile 1: Starts on Washington Boulevard just south of 14th Street/Park Lane South. Run south on Washington, then turn right to head west on Columbus Drive.
Mile 2: Continue on Columbus Drive. Just before Grove Street, bear right onto the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza. Turn left at Barrow Street and then make another left onto Montgomery Street. Continue on Montgomery Street, where you’ll pass City Hall and catch a view of the Lower Manhattan skyline.
Mile 3: From Montgomery Street, turn left onto Greene Street and then make another left onto Columbus Drive. Turn right onto Washington Street and continue north to the finish on Washington Boulevard.
