Born To Run 5-Mile Race Returns To Downtown Freehold For 40th Year

FREEHOLD, NJ — The 40th Annual Born To Run 5-Mile Race is set to return to Downtown Freehold this fall.

Set to take place on Friday, Nov. 27 (the day after Thanksgiving), the race will begin at 11 a.m.

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Proceeds from the race will be donated to the Freehold Open Door Food Pantry to continue the tradition of "Fighting Hunger in Your Hometown."

There are two donation locations for food items, one at the finish line and the other at the firehouse.

For 2026, the race expects more than 400 runners and will award the top three overall male and female finishers in over fifteen age groups and for the race walkers. All runners will receive a sweatshirt and a finisher's medal.

The Freehold Area Running Club's 40th annual Born to Run 5 Mile Race begins in Downtown Freehold, goes around Lake Topanemus, and finishes back in town.

The 5-mile race is open to runners ages 10 and up. For ages 7-14, a Kids Run One Mile Race starts at 10 a.m., an hour before the 5 Mile Race.

You can register for the race online here until Nov. 20 or in person at the race at the Freehold Fire Department (49 West Main Street, Freehold, NJ) starting at 9 a.m.

The event will be presented by the local multimedia production company Gellman Images.

For over 17 years, Gellman Images has been the chosen official photographer for the New Jersey Hall of Fame annual induction ceremony.

During that time, Gary Gellman has photographed some of New Jersey's greats, including Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Yogi Berra, Buzz Aldrin, Queen Latifah, Mary Higgins Clark and more.

Gellman began his photographic career at the age of 16 working at a public access cable television station in New Jersey and since that time has been a featured speaker at conventions in Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Stamford, East Rutherford, and Atlantic City.

In addition to photographing some of New Jersey's most well-known icons, Gellman has also photographed two popes, celebrities, and elected officials, with his work being featured at the NJ State Museum, the U.S. Senate Gallery, the Rock and Roll Museum, and the Vatican. He is a graduate of The College of New Jersey.

To learn more about Gellman Images, you can visit their website.

To register for the Born To Run 5-Mile Race, you can click here.