Neuse River Bridge Run 2026
- Date Fri 1st May 2026 - Sat 9th May 2026
- Time 5:30PM EDT
- Location New Bern, North Carolina
- Price $22.50 - $74.20
- Races 8 races
- Distances Half Marathon, 10km, 5km, 1 Mile
Event summary
Get ready for the exciting Neuse River Bridge Run 2026, taking place from May 1 to May 9 in beautiful New Bern, Craven County! This vibrant event is more than just a race; it's a community celebration that promotes health, unity, and support for five vital non-profit organizations. Runners of all ages can choose from an array of distances, including the challenging 1/2 Marathon, the 10K, the 5K, and the delightful SuperKids Fun Run. The highlight of the in-person experiences on May 2 is the breathtaking run over the Neuse River Bridge, offering participants an unforgettable view as they cross this iconic landmark.
Join us for the SuperKids Fun Run on Friday, May 1, where young runners can enjoy games, warm-ups, and a chance to compete with their peers. The main races on Saturday, May 2, begin bright and early, with the Half Marathon kicking off at 7:00 AM, followed by the 10K at 7:30 AM and the 5K at 8:15 AM. Whether you choose to run in person or virtually, your participation will help bridge gaps in our community while fostering a healthy lifestyle. Don’t miss
Join us for the SuperKids Fun Run on Friday, May 1, where young runners can enjoy games, warm-ups, and a chance to compete with their peers. The main races on Saturday, May 2, begin bright and early, with the Half Marathon kicking off at 7:00 AM, followed by the 10K at 7:30 AM and the 5K at 8:15 AM. Whether you choose to run in person or virtually, your participation will help bridge gaps in our community while fostering a healthy lifestyle. Don’t miss
Organiser's Description
NEUSE RIVER BRIDGE RUN HELPS BRIDGE GAPS IN OUR COMMUNITY!
Adults and children, lace up your running shoes for fun, exercise and a worthy cause! For over 20 years, the Neuse River Bridge Run (NRBR) has been uniting runners, walkers, volunteers and sponsors - all to support five important non-profit organizations in our community. The NRBR follows routes over bridges, through historic neighborhoods, and through downtown New Bern. We offer four events, a 1/2 Marathon, at 10K, a 5K, and the SuperKids Fun Run. In addition to the 4 in-person races the NRBR will continue to offer all four options as virtual events for 2026.
Our mission is to serve the community by promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. All five organizations are committed to working together to manage this event resulting in great benefits to our communities. The five organizations equally share 100% of the net revenue generated by the events. THE CRAVEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION, THE FILLING STATION, DUFFYFIELD PHOENIX PROJECT, MEDIATION CENTER OF EASTERN CAROLINA, AND TWIN RIVER YMCA ALL BENEFIT FROM YOUR PARTICIPATION. Please visit this link to learn more about us! [https://www.bridgerun.org/Race/NeuseRiverBridgeRun/Page-7]
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY THE IN-PERSON 1/2 MARATHON AND 10K EVENTS CAN OFFER THE FULL BRIDGES EXPERIENCE. Virtual runners will need to plot their own course that does not include runs over the Neuse River Bridge. THE NEUSE RIVER BRIDGE IS ONLY SAFE FOR RUNNERS ON OUR DESIGNATED IN-PERSON DATE OF SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026.
In-person 1/2 Marathon and the 10K courses feature a run over the large span of the Neuse River Bridge. All three courses, 5K-10K-1/2 marathon, include a run over the George Cunningham Bridge which spans the Trent River. Then the courses wind through a circuit around and though historic New Bern. The races all finish on East Front Street in front of the Riverfront Convention Center of Craven County in New Bern.
IN PERSON EVENTS
RACE DATES: FRIDAY, MAY 1 AND SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026
SUPERKIDS FUN RUN
Race day is FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026. The fee for the SuperKids Fun Run is $20 per child. START TIME: 5:30 P.M.
4:00 TO 5:30 P.M. - CHECK-IN & REGISTRATION AT UNION POINT PARK
Registration and pick-up for t-shirts and goodie bags begins at 4:00 p.m. Then the young runners will join with our volunteer crew of Craven Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training students for games, warms up and a little coaching prior to the race events. The children will be grouped by age category and the races will start a 5:30 p.m.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE DETAILS ABOUT RACE DAY FOR THE SUPERKIDS FUN RUN [https://www.bridgerun.org/Race/NeuseRiverBridgeRun/Page-8]
1/2 MARATHON, 10K AND 5K
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026
All three of these events will be timed. A chip enabled bib is required and will distributed at Race-Kit Pick-up events at the Riverfront Convention Center on FRIDAY, MAY 1 FROM 4 TO 8 P.M. and SATURDAY, MAY 2 FROM 6:00 A.M. TO 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE START OF YOUR RACE.
START TIMES:
* 7:00 A.M. HALF MARATHON
* 7:30 A.M. 10K
* 8:15 A.M. 5K
TIMING
Official timing for the Neuse River Bridge Run in-person events will be provided by our partners_ RUN THE EAST_. Run the East is North Carolinas leading provider of professional race timing and management services. Their focus is on providing registration, timing, and management services to area events, with a goal to provide both race directors and runners an excellent race experience.
FEES
Early registration is through February 28th. Prices will increase on March 1, 2026.
Current In-Person Fees:
HALF MARATHON: $70 ($80 after February 28, 2026)
10K: $55 ($65 after February 28, 2026)
5K: $45 ($50 after February 28, 2026)
KIDS RUN: $20 (NO PRICE CHANGE)
The top three finishers in the in-person races, 5K, 10K & Half Marathon, in both male and female categories, will receive a Gold, Silver or Bronze medals. The top three finishers in the in-person races, in both male and female categories, in 13 different age groups will receive Gold, Silver or Bronze medals. In addition, all 1/2 marathon runners who complete the race will receive a finisher medal at the finish line.
AGE GROUP CATEGORIES:
Age 14 and Under
Age 15 to 19
Age 20 to 24
Age 25 to 29
Age 30 to 34
Age 35 to 39
Age 40 to 44
Age 45 to 49
Age 50 to 54
Age 55 to 59
Age 60 to 64
Age 65 to 69
Age 70 and over
VIRTUAL EVENTS
VIRTUAL FEES
HALF MARATHON: $70 ($80 after February 28, 2026)
10K: $55 ($65 after February 28, 2026)
5K: $45 ($50 after February 28, 2026)
KIDS RUN: $20 (NO PRICE CHANGE)
DATE RANGE for the virtual events: Friday, May 1 - Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Virtual Races will not be timed, but race results can be tracked and reported via the Smart phone app _RACEJOY._ Times can also be reported through the NRBR website. Place medals will not be awarded to virtual participants. 1/2 Marathon runners will receive the participation / finishers medal.
Virtual participants can choose to pick-up their race kit at Riverfront Convention Center on Friday, May 1st OR they may to choose to pay a shipping fee to have their T-shirt and race swag mailed to them at $7.95 per person. The first mail date for virtual race kits is April 20.
POST RACE CELEBRATION
A celebration for all participants, their families, and supporters, will be held in the Riverfront Convention Center of Craven County (across the street from Union Point Park) in The View on the waterfront side of the center and on the Riverfront Veranda from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Food, soft drinks, and beer will be served. AWARDS DISTRIBUTION WILL BEGIN AT 8:30 A.M. IN THE VIEW _(the large room on the waterfront side of the convention center) _
Adults and children, lace up your running shoes for fun, exercise and a worthy cause! For over 20 years, the Neuse River Bridge Run (NRBR) has been uniting runners, walkers, volunteers and sponsors - all to support five important non-profit organizations in our community. The NRBR follows routes over bridges, through historic neighborhoods, and through downtown New Bern. We offer four events, a 1/2 Marathon, at 10K, a 5K, and the SuperKids Fun Run. In addition to the 4 in-person races the NRBR will continue to offer all four options as virtual events for 2026.
Our mission is to serve the community by promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. All five organizations are committed to working together to manage this event resulting in great benefits to our communities. The five organizations equally share 100% of the net revenue generated by the events. THE CRAVEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION, THE FILLING STATION, DUFFYFIELD PHOENIX PROJECT, MEDIATION CENTER OF EASTERN CAROLINA, AND TWIN RIVER YMCA ALL BENEFIT FROM YOUR PARTICIPATION. Please visit this link to learn more about us! [https://www.bridgerun.org/Race/NeuseRiverBridgeRun/Page-7]
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY THE IN-PERSON 1/2 MARATHON AND 10K EVENTS CAN OFFER THE FULL BRIDGES EXPERIENCE. Virtual runners will need to plot their own course that does not include runs over the Neuse River Bridge. THE NEUSE RIVER BRIDGE IS ONLY SAFE FOR RUNNERS ON OUR DESIGNATED IN-PERSON DATE OF SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026.
In-person 1/2 Marathon and the 10K courses feature a run over the large span of the Neuse River Bridge. All three courses, 5K-10K-1/2 marathon, include a run over the George Cunningham Bridge which spans the Trent River. Then the courses wind through a circuit around and though historic New Bern. The races all finish on East Front Street in front of the Riverfront Convention Center of Craven County in New Bern.
IN PERSON EVENTS
RACE DATES: FRIDAY, MAY 1 AND SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026
SUPERKIDS FUN RUN
Race day is FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026. The fee for the SuperKids Fun Run is $20 per child. START TIME: 5:30 P.M.
4:00 TO 5:30 P.M. - CHECK-IN & REGISTRATION AT UNION POINT PARK
Registration and pick-up for t-shirts and goodie bags begins at 4:00 p.m. Then the young runners will join with our volunteer crew of Craven Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training students for games, warms up and a little coaching prior to the race events. The children will be grouped by age category and the races will start a 5:30 p.m.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE DETAILS ABOUT RACE DAY FOR THE SUPERKIDS FUN RUN [https://www.bridgerun.org/Race/NeuseRiverBridgeRun/Page-8]
1/2 MARATHON, 10K AND 5K
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026
All three of these events will be timed. A chip enabled bib is required and will distributed at Race-Kit Pick-up events at the Riverfront Convention Center on FRIDAY, MAY 1 FROM 4 TO 8 P.M. and SATURDAY, MAY 2 FROM 6:00 A.M. TO 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE START OF YOUR RACE.
START TIMES:
* 7:00 A.M. HALF MARATHON
* 7:30 A.M. 10K
* 8:15 A.M. 5K
TIMING
Official timing for the Neuse River Bridge Run in-person events will be provided by our partners_ RUN THE EAST_. Run the East is North Carolinas leading provider of professional race timing and management services. Their focus is on providing registration, timing, and management services to area events, with a goal to provide both race directors and runners an excellent race experience.
FEES
Early registration is through February 28th. Prices will increase on March 1, 2026.
Current In-Person Fees:
HALF MARATHON: $70 ($80 after February 28, 2026)
10K: $55 ($65 after February 28, 2026)
5K: $45 ($50 after February 28, 2026)
KIDS RUN: $20 (NO PRICE CHANGE)
The top three finishers in the in-person races, 5K, 10K & Half Marathon, in both male and female categories, will receive a Gold, Silver or Bronze medals. The top three finishers in the in-person races, in both male and female categories, in 13 different age groups will receive Gold, Silver or Bronze medals. In addition, all 1/2 marathon runners who complete the race will receive a finisher medal at the finish line.
AGE GROUP CATEGORIES:
Age 14 and Under
Age 15 to 19
Age 20 to 24
Age 25 to 29
Age 30 to 34
Age 35 to 39
Age 40 to 44
Age 45 to 49
Age 50 to 54
Age 55 to 59
Age 60 to 64
Age 65 to 69
Age 70 and over
VIRTUAL EVENTS
VIRTUAL FEES
HALF MARATHON: $70 ($80 after February 28, 2026)
10K: $55 ($65 after February 28, 2026)
5K: $45 ($50 after February 28, 2026)
KIDS RUN: $20 (NO PRICE CHANGE)
DATE RANGE for the virtual events: Friday, May 1 - Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Virtual Races will not be timed, but race results can be tracked and reported via the Smart phone app _RACEJOY._ Times can also be reported through the NRBR website. Place medals will not be awarded to virtual participants. 1/2 Marathon runners will receive the participation / finishers medal.
Virtual participants can choose to pick-up their race kit at Riverfront Convention Center on Friday, May 1st OR they may to choose to pay a shipping fee to have their T-shirt and race swag mailed to them at $7.95 per person. The first mail date for virtual race kits is April 20.
POST RACE CELEBRATION
A celebration for all participants, their families, and supporters, will be held in the Riverfront Convention Center of Craven County (across the street from Union Point Park) in The View on the waterfront side of the center and on the Riverfront Veranda from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Food, soft drinks, and beer will be served. AWARDS DISTRIBUTION WILL BEGIN AT 8:30 A.M. IN THE VIEW _(the large room on the waterfront side of the convention center) _
Races
-
Half Marathon
Incl. $4.20 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 2nd May 2026 (7:00AM EDT)
$74.20
This race starts on East Front Street, next UNION POINT PARK 210 E Front St, New Bern, NC 28560! Gather at Union Point Park before the race and follow start instructions when it is time to gather for the start. -
10k
Incl. $3.30 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 2nd May 2026 (7:30AM EDT)
$58.30
This race starts on East Front Street, next UNION POINT PARK 210 E Front St, New Bern, NC 28560! Gather at Union Point Park before the race and follow start instructions when it is time to gather for the start. -
5k
Incl. $3.00 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 2nd May 2026 (8:15AM EDT)
$48.00
This race starts on East Front Street, next UNION POINT PARK 210 E Front St, New Bern, NC 28560! Gather at Union Point Park before the race and follow start instructions when it is time to gather for the start. -
Super Kids Fun Run
Incl. $2.50 Fee & T-Shirt
Fri 1st May 2026 (5:30PM EDT)
$22.50
This race starts on East Front Street, next UNION POINT PARK 210 E Front St, New Bern, NC 28560! Gather at Union Point Park before the race and follow start instructions when it is time to gather for the start. -
Virtual Half Marathon
Incl. $4.20 Fee & T-Shirt
$74.20
-
Virtual 10K
Incl. $3.30 Fee & T-Shirt
$58.30
-
Virtual 5K
Incl. $3.00 Fee & T-Shirt
$48.00
-
Virtual Super Kids Fun Run
Incl. $2.50 Fee & T-Shirt
$22.50
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Union Point Park and New Bern Riverfront Convention Center, New Bern, 28560, NC, United States
Neuse River Bridge Run 2026
