Garden State 10 Miler & Cookie Chase 5k
- Date Sun 22nd March 2026
- Time 8:10AM EDT
- Location Somerset, New Jersey
- Price $11.00 - $103.00
- Races 6 races
- Distances 5km, 10 Mile, Half Marathon, 1 Mile
Event summary
Get ready for a fantastic day of running and fun at the Garden State 10 Miler & Cookie Chase 5K on Sunday, March 22, 2026! Taking place in beautiful Colonial Park, Somerset, NJ, this event promises an exciting experience for runners of all ages and abilities. Participants can choose between the challenging 10-mile race and the delightful Cookie Chase 5K, both designed to inspire and energize.
Kick off the weekend with packet pickups on Friday and Saturday at Road Runner Sports in North Brunswick. On race day, registration opens bright and early at 7 AM, leading into the lively Cookie Chase 5K at 8 AM, followed by the Garden State 10 Miler at 9 AM. Runners can also participate in the Youth Fun Run, ensuring everyone can join in on the excitement! With awards for top finishers and participants, as well as the opportunity to win prizes for the best costumes, this event is about much more than just racing—it's a celebration of community spirit and healthy living. Don't miss out on this unforgettable day filled with camaraderie, competition, and cookies!
Kick off the weekend with packet pickups on Friday and Saturday at Road Runner Sports in North Brunswick. On race day, registration opens bright and early at 7 AM, leading into the lively Cookie Chase 5K at 8 AM, followed by the Garden State 10 Miler at 9 AM. Runners can also participate in the Youth Fun Run, ensuring everyone can join in on the excitement! With awards for top finishers and participants, as well as the opportunity to win prizes for the best costumes, this event is about much more than just racing—it's a celebration of community spirit and healthy living. Don't miss out on this unforgettable day filled with camaraderie, competition, and cookies!
Organiser's Description
VOTE FOR THE 2026 GS10 NJ THEME HERE TODAY! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2_mgTgGgho4N2cNg_8zbNQda69LVyIS1I_6Vw4lNosvDuig/viewform?usp=dialog]
2026 GARDEN STATE 10
WELCOME TO NJ'S FAVORITE DISTANCE RACE!
WHEN:
MARCH 22, 2026
WHERE:
COLONIAL PARK
156 METTLERS ROAD
SOMERSET, NJ
RACE WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY
4PM-8PM: PACKET PICKUP, ROAD RUNNER SPORTS (NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ)
SATURDAY
10AM-2PM: PACKET PICKUP, ROAD RUNNER SPORTS (NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ)
SUNDAY
7 REGISTRATION OPENS (PACKET PICKUP, NEW REGISTRATION)
8 COOKIE CHASE 5K PRESENTED BY INSOMNIA COOKIES
9 GARDEN STATE 10 MILER
11 YOUTH FUN RUN
SHIRT & BIB DEADLINE:
REGISTER BY 11:59PM ON MARCH 1ST FOR A RACE SHIRT AND PERSONALIZED BIB.
A FEW EVENT DETAILS:
5k Map [https://runsignup.com/Race/GardenState105k/Page-9]
10 Mile Map [https://runsignup.com/Race/GardenState105k/Page-8]
10 MILER AWARDS
Prize Money: $150/$100/$75* Top 3 M/F
AG medals: 19 & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
All finishers receive a medal
COOKIE CHASE 5K AWARDS
1st M/F: $100*
Prize Money: Top 3 Costumes - $100*
AG medals: 19 & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
All finishers receive a cookie
_*Gift cards provided by Road Runner Sports_
HALF MARATHON CHALLENGE
All finishers receive a "Challenge Accepted" medal in addition to their GS10 medal
THE RELAY
We know running is more fun with friends. This is a 2-person team. The first participant runs ~3.6 miles, high fives their partner who then runs the remaining 6.4 miles. The relay transition is within walking distance of the 10-mile start at the corner of Mettlers Lane and Colonial Drive. Both participants must register for the relay individually.
YOUTH FUN RUN AWARDS
All youth participants receive a race bib and finisher's medal.
EVENT PROCEEDS:
The Garden State 10 Miler is a collaborative fund raiser hosted by the Garden State Track Club and the Franklin Township Police Department. Since its inception in 2017, the event has donated $35,000 to charitable causes. It now provides need-based scholarships to graduating seniors at Franklin High School.
2026 GARDEN STATE 10
WELCOME TO NJ'S FAVORITE DISTANCE RACE!
WHEN:
MARCH 22, 2026
WHERE:
COLONIAL PARK
156 METTLERS ROAD
SOMERSET, NJ
RACE WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY
4PM-8PM: PACKET PICKUP, ROAD RUNNER SPORTS (NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ)
SATURDAY
10AM-2PM: PACKET PICKUP, ROAD RUNNER SPORTS (NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ)
SUNDAY
7 REGISTRATION OPENS (PACKET PICKUP, NEW REGISTRATION)
8 COOKIE CHASE 5K PRESENTED BY INSOMNIA COOKIES
9 GARDEN STATE 10 MILER
11 YOUTH FUN RUN
SHIRT & BIB DEADLINE:
REGISTER BY 11:59PM ON MARCH 1ST FOR A RACE SHIRT AND PERSONALIZED BIB.
A FEW EVENT DETAILS:
5k Map [https://runsignup.com/Race/GardenState105k/Page-9]
10 Mile Map [https://runsignup.com/Race/GardenState105k/Page-8]
10 MILER AWARDS
Prize Money: $150/$100/$75* Top 3 M/F
AG medals: 19 & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
All finishers receive a medal
COOKIE CHASE 5K AWARDS
1st M/F: $100*
Prize Money: Top 3 Costumes - $100*
AG medals: 19 & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
All finishers receive a cookie
_*Gift cards provided by Road Runner Sports_
HALF MARATHON CHALLENGE
All finishers receive a "Challenge Accepted" medal in addition to their GS10 medal
THE RELAY
We know running is more fun with friends. This is a 2-person team. The first participant runs ~3.6 miles, high fives their partner who then runs the remaining 6.4 miles. The relay transition is within walking distance of the 10-mile start at the corner of Mettlers Lane and Colonial Drive. Both participants must register for the relay individually.
YOUTH FUN RUN AWARDS
All youth participants receive a race bib and finisher's medal.
EVENT PROCEEDS:
The Garden State 10 Miler is a collaborative fund raiser hosted by the Garden State Track Club and the Franklin Township Police Department. Since its inception in 2017, the event has donated $35,000 to charitable causes. It now provides need-based scholarships to graduating seniors at Franklin High School.
Races
-
Cookie Chase 5K
Incl. $1.50 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 22nd March 2026 (8:45AM EDT)
$36.50
The Garden State 10 5K event begins at 8:45am. -
Garden State 10 Miler
Incl. $1.65 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 22nd March 2026 (9:30AM EDT)
$56.65
The Garden State 10 Mile event begins at 9:30am -
10 Mile Relay
Incl. $1.95 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 22nd March 2026 (9:30AM EDT)
$66.95
The Garden State 10 Mile Relay begins at 9:30am. Runner 1 will run the first 4 miles where runner 2 will be waiting at the transfer station. Runner 2 will run the last 6 miles. Timing will be calculated based on the finish time of both runners. It will not be individually timed. -
Half Marathon Challenge (10M + 5k)
Incl. $1.95 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 22nd March 2026 (8:45AM EDT)
$66.95
The Half Marathon Challenge is not a traditional Half Marathon. The Challenge is where you run both the 5K and 10 Mile events. You will start the 5K then return to the 10 mile start line at 9:30am. In order to take the challenge you should be able to complete the 5K in under 30 minutes. The 10 mile race will begin at 9:30am. -
1 Mile Kids Fun Run
Incl. $1.00 Fee
Sun 22nd March 2026 (11:00AM EDT)
$11.00
1 Mile kids fun run in Colonial park for kids ages 5 - 15. Each will receive a bib but this is an untimed event. They will finish at the same finish line as everyone so they can be encouraged and cheered along the way! -
2026 Garden State 10 Miler + 2025 Empire State Half Marathon
Incl. $3.00 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 22nd March 2026 (8:10AM EDT)
$103.00
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156 Mettlers Road, Somerset, 08873, NJ, United States
Garden State 10 Miler & Cookie Chase 5k
