Trail Night NJ

Trail Night NJ is a Wednesday night 5K (July 8) on the trails at South Mountain Reservation. Simple setup, good course, and a fun atmosphere to run hard or just get out there. We’ll have a central start/finish area with a DJ, vendors, and food trucks, so you can hang before and after your race without needing to bounce around.

Kids Race (1 mile) (5:45 PM): Short, fun, low-pressure race 

5K Trail Race (6:05 PM Start): A fun, flowing course with a 100-minute cutoff (all runners off course by 7:45 PM)

• All Levels Welcome: Competitive runners, first-timers, joggers, and walkers
• Participant Giveaway: All registered runners receive a Trail Night NJ Premium cotton blend tee and the top 3 finishers in each age group will receive a Trail Night pint glass
• Central Event Hub: DJ, vendors, food trucks, and brand activations at the start/finish
• Post-Race Hangout: Stick around, grab food, and enjoy the summer night atmosphere

Event Schedule (July 8, 2026):

• 5:00 PM – Check-in opens, DJ + vendors live
• 5:45 PM – Kids Race (15 minutes)
• 6:05 PM – 5K Trail Race Start
• 7:45 PM – All runners off course
• 7:00–7:50 PM – Awards + After Party
• 8:00 PM – Event concludes 

Parking Information:

• Option #1: Turtle Back Rock Parking Lot - Approximately 125-150 spots.  Our recommendation is to come early. (Distance to start - .0 miles)
• Option #2: Maple Ave - Residential Neighborhood (Distance to start .2 miles)
• Option #3: Knollwood Drive - Residential Neighborhood (Distance to start .3 miles)
• Uber/Lyft Dropoff Address: 374 Walker Road West Orange, NJ 07052

Trail Night NJ is designed to be easy to show up to, easy to race, and easy to enjoy. No complicated logistics—just a great course, a strong community, and a summer night on the trails.