Pineland Striders Boxing Day 5K

Join the Pineland Striders for the third annual running of South Jersey's most cherished Boxing Day tradition (trust us, we did a poll; we narrowly beat out the second-place response "what's Boxing Day?"), the Boxing Day 5K! If you've got the day off and want to run a low-key race with a few quirky surprises, this is the race for you!

Proceeds from the race will be donated to Angels Community Outreach. This organization provides clothing, food, toiletries and many other resources to families in need. What better way to celebrate the holiday season than by helping an organization to directly improve the lives of the families it serves? If you're not able to attend, consider showing your support by donating through the race page. We're also collecting non-perishable food items (specifically after-school snacks like fruit snacks, applesauce, cookies, crackers, etc.). You can help extend some families' holiday cheer by donating and ensuring children can enjoy some yummy treats after their school day.

The event features a USATF-sanctioned, chip-timed 5K and FREE Kids' Fun Run. Each pre-registered participant in the 5K will receive a rollable fleece blanket measuring 48" x 53" unrolled. This blanket is the first-ever item to bear the brand-new official Boxing Day 5K race logo, which means it's a collector's item and it would honestly be financially irresponsible to not sign up and get one. Not that you'll ever want to part with yours, but knowing you can get thousands for it on eBay sure is a great reason to sign up.

We're also continuing a longstanding Pineland Striders Boxing Day tradition: the regifting raffle! Got some presents for Christmas (or any other winter holiday that falls on or before December 25) that aren't quite your style? Bring them along! After the race, we'll have a wide variety of donated gifts. In a randomly-selected order, runners will be invited to pick a free gift. While we appreciate gift donations, they are not required, and every participant will be invited to select a gift (unless/until we run out), even if they don't bring one. Gifts do not need to be running-related at all; we will accept ANYTHING!*

The 5K course uses residential roads surrounding Signal Hill Elementary School and, you're never going to believe this, has some hills! The roads are not closed to traffic, but there is generally very little this time of day. Still, please be mindful and aware of your surroundings. There is a very small section of the course that goes off-road (it's a grass-covered field, which is flat and not at all technical). The course will be marked with cones and chalk arrows, and volunteers will be stationed at tricky turns to make sure you don't wander off-course. Because this is a winter race, there will be NO on-course hydration; if you will need water during the race, plan to bring your own. Strollers are allowed, but due to USATF rules, dogs are not permitted in the race. The 5K will have about a 90-minute time cutoff, so run-walkers and walkers are welcome. After the race, warm beverages and snacks will be provided.

This event will be held rain-or-shine. That said, in the event that we do experience significant snowfall, we may be forced to cancel. Unfortunately, the majority of race expenses must be paid up-front (that's why we have to charge an entry fee), so we will not be able to issue refunds if the event is cancelled. We appreciate that losing a race registration fee is frustrating, so if we are forced to cancel, we will ensure that all pre-registered runners receive their race swag and will make every effort to offer registered runners a deferral or discount to another Pineland Striders race (while we have you here, feel free to mark off Saturday, June 28 on your calendar! That'll be our annual Independence Day 5k/10k!).

EVENT SCHEDULE:

Thursday, December 26th - RACE DAY!

• 7:30am - Bib Pickup/Race Day Registration Begins
• 8:45am - Free Kids' Fun Run Start
• 9:00am - 5K Start
• 10:15am - 5K Awards Ceremony
• 10:30am - Regifting Raffle

Awards will be given to the first place male, female, and non-binary finishers. Age group awards will be given to the first three male, female, and non-binary finishers in the following age groups: under 15, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and older.

To ensure a successful event, we will require volunteers. If you're not interested in running, consider signing up to volunteer! All volunteers will receive a race premium as thanks for their time.

To learn more about the Pineland Striders running club, or to become a member, visit our website or Facebook page.

If you or someone you know would be interested in donating to or sponsoring the event, please contact us at pinelandstridersraces@gmail.com. 

*Obviously, we won't accept literally ANYTHING. Gifts should be new and unopened. Stay away from the obvious no-nos: nothing alive or explosive, please! Age-restricted consumables are fine--everyone's age is on their bib, so no minors will be walking away with anything that'll get them too festive.