Run the Woods 5k - NJ

Run the Woods 5k - NJ takes place in West Milford, New Jersey, on November 15, 2026, with three events all starting at 8:00 AM: an 8K (about 5 miles), a 5K (3.1 miles), and a 1-mile Fun Run. The event runs on the wooded trails along Paradise Road in Oak Ridge, offering a scenic course in nature with shaded paths and a quiet forest setting. Runners, joggers, and walkers of all levels are welcome, and the atmosphere is a peaceful one, well away from city noise.

This is trail running, so leave your road pacing expectations at home and run by effort. Shoes with some grip will help on uneven ground, and a short warm-up matters more when the surface is uneven. The 8K suits runners who want a slightly longer test on trails, the 5K is a good first trail race, and the one-mile Fun Run gives kids and beginners a way in. Four to six weeks of running with at least one session on trails is sensible preparation.