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| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Mile Fun Run | Kids | May 1, 20278:15 AM | $10 | – |
| 1 Mile Health Walk | 1 Mile | May 1, 20278:15 AM | $15 | – |
| 5K Health Walk | 5K | May 1, 20279:00 AM | $20 | – |
| 5K Run | 5K | May 1, 20279:00 AM | $30$40 after Apr 6, 2027 | – |
| T-Shirt Only | Other | May 1, 20279:00 AM | $20 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The 5K fee goes up to $40 on Apr 6, 2027.
Online registration closes May 1, 2027, unless the race fills first.
At $20, entry is about 43 percent below a typical 5K in New Jersey, which costs $35 right now.
A typical finisher at a 5K in New Jersey runs 32:16, about 10:23 a mile, based on 598 races with published results. Women typically finish in 35:02 and men in 29:30.
Sunrise on race morning is at about 5:57 AM, and the 1 Mile Fun Run starts at 8:15 AM. The start sits about 50 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
1 Wanamaker Municipal Complex, Island Heights, NJ 08732
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
Aggregated from official results (CompuScore) for 35th Annual River to Bay 5K. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
At the 2026 5K Run, the fastest tenth finished in 22:19 or better, the top quarter in 26:38, and half the field in 31:33; the last tenth came in after 55:46.
At the 2026 1 Mile Fun Run, the fastest tenth finished in 8:00 or better, the top quarter in 9:01, and half the field in 11:09; the last tenth came in after 13:27.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 22:35 | 21:35 |
| 20-29 | 27:30 | 20:59 |
| 30-39 | 26:44 | 19:51 |
| 40-49 | 23:16 | 22:19 |
| 50-59 | 24:49 | 21:07 |
| 60-69 | 29:16 | 23:35 |
| 70+ | 34:56 | 30:50 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
Where a finish time would have placed in 2026.
Up 84 percent since 2022.
All events combined, from official results.
From 2022 to 2026, the field went from 171 to 291 finishers, and the median time dropped from 34:04 to 31:33.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 291 (+1%) | 31:33 | under 22:19 | 16:48 |
| 2025 | 288 (-7%) | 32:04 | under 23:47 | 16:43 |
| 2024 | 311 (-3%) | 33:09 | under 23:41 | 17:34 |
| 2023 | 322 (+88%) | 33:12 | under 22:55 | 16:23 |
| 2022 | 171 | 34:04 | under 23:37 | 17:01 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
About average for New Jersey 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2026 5K field finished under 26:38, against 27:09 in a typical New Jersey 5K, so times here are about average.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Around May 1 the day usually runs from 48°F at dawn to 65°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 28% of days. Cold snaps dip to 39°F and hot years reach 81°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
What the organizers of 35th Annual River to Bay 5K cover on their registration page, in brief.
Awards
Race Day (Saturday): 7:30 AM - Check In begins for all events at 1 Wanamaker Plaza; Island Heights, NJ 08754. 8:15 AM - 1 mile fun run. 8:15 AM - 1 mile health walk. 8:55 AM - Check-In Concludes. 9:00 AM – 5K (3.1 mile) Run. 9:00 AM – 5K…
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
The 2027 River to Bay 5K is scheduled as an In-Person Race on May 1, 2026, rain or shine.
Please join us on Saturday May 1st, 2026 for the 35th Annual River to Bay 5K Classic, presented by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Toms River on its beautiful Island Heights course. This race is a USATF certified course. All participants must agree to the terms of the USATF Waiver as a condition of registration.
All proceeds benefit local youth and charitable organizations. Visit our website at http://tomsriverkiwanis.org/ and click the History tab to see some of the organizations we support.