Paws & Soles Saving Lives with Strides 5K & 10K Run/Walk + Kiddie Dash- Benefiting the Friends of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter
- Date
- October 18, 2026
- Distance
- 5K Run/Walk Human Entry · 5K Run/Walk Human + 1 Dog · 5K Run/Walk Kids Age 10 and Under Entry & more
From the Organizer
Join Friends of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter as we come together to raise funds for the Cupid Fund.
The Paws & Soles Saving Lives with Strides 5K & 10K Run/Walk + Kiddie Dash is a major fundraiser for the Friends of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter (FOSRAS) and a wag of a great time! The annual event draws animal lovers from all over to share the day with and in honor of four-legged friends. In addition to the official 5K and 10K events, the day includes vendors, food, and of course, a chance to meet FURiends.
The Cupid Fund
The Cupid Fund is a special fund dedicated to helping our shelter animals that require extraordinary medical treatment. The fund provides care for any animal needing more than the basics- spay/neuter, vaccines, and microchipping. All medical tests, blood work, specialist consults, surgery, treatment of illnesses, etc. are paid for by donations to FOSRAS Cupid Fund. Please visit our website at: https://www.fosras.com
Race Details
Friends, participants, and canines will run/walk the flat trails and picturesque backdrop of the flat, fast, USATF-NJ Certified Course at Duke Island Park. There will be Overall Winner Awards and Age Group Awards. Walk or run with your dog! Dogs can join the race starting at 9:20 AM and are required to start at the back of the starting group behind the runners. Registered dogs receive a doggy goody bag (while supplies last).
Kiddie Dash Details:
4 years old and under- 25 yard dash
5-7 years old- 50 yard dash
All kiddie dash participants will receive a finisher prize
Participants registered by September 15th are guaranteed a t-shirt or long-sleeve shirt. During registration, there is an option to forgo the t-shirt.
Day of registration: 10K Run - $50 (human entry only)
5K Run/Walk- $40 + $5/dog
Kids 10 and under $15
Kiddie Dash: $12
To ensure an enjoyable walk for 2 legged and 4 legged participants:
- Please refrain from using Flexi leads, only 6’ leads or less allowed
- All Dogs must be current on shots and no females in heat
- Please do not bring pets whose behavior may endanger others
- Participants must clean up after their pet and provide appropriate feces collection bags for such use.
Certified 10K Course Link
Coming soon
Certified 5K Course Link:
https://www.certifiedroadraces.com/certificate/?type=l&id=NJ16520JHP
Event Schedule
8:30 AM Registration Opens
9:10 AM Kiddie Dash
9:25 AM 5K &10K Run/Walk Start
10:15 AM 5K Awards Ceremony
10:40 AM 10K Award Ceremony
10:45 AM Doggy Costume Contest
9:00-12:00 PM Vendors open
Vendors will be available until 12 PM
Awards
Overall 1st place 5k - Male & Female
Overall 2nd place 5k - Male & Female
Overall 3rd place 5k - Male & Female
Age categories
Top 3 5k finishers, male & female in various age categories.
Race Bibs
We use Chronotrack RFID systems for chip timing. All awards will be calculated based on chip time, not gun time.
Sponsorships Available!
Email heartandsole5knj@gmail.com to participate!
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Distances & Pricing
Race Location
About This Sport
From Endurance Grid's Founder
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The 10K is the distance where running stops feeling like a starting point and starts feeling like a sport. Long enough to require a real training block. Short enough that race day is fully manageable for a first-timer who's put in the work.
Race day energy at a 10K is community at its best — strangers cheering you by name, people moving toward the same goal, an atmosphere that solo training can't replicate. It's fast enough that you'll spend the whole race pushing rather than managing your effort.
This is also the distance that builds the base for everything else. Most athletes who go on to run half marathons, do triathlons, or compete in HYROX started here. What you need: running shoes fitted to your stride, a training plan, and the race on your calendar. The registration is what makes the deadline real.
How long to train: 4–8 weeks for most fitness levels.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
More running races in NJ
Run4Rare 5K / 1K
5K
Westlake Veterans Club 1st Annual Run/Walk
July 4th Run 5K/10K/13.1 NEW JERSEY
Half Marathon · 10K · 5K
Jersey City Summer Half, 10K, and 5K
10K · 5K
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Paws & Soles Saving Lives with Strides 5K & 10K Run/Walk + Kiddie Dash- Benefiting the Friends of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter?
- Paws & Soles Saving Lives with Strides 5K & 10K Run/Walk + Kiddie Dash- Benefiting the Friends of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter is a running event held in Bridgewater, NJ. Learn more about the different endurance sports here.
- When and where is the Paws & Soles Saving Lives with Strides 5K & 10K Run/Walk + Kiddie Dash- Benefiting the Friends of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter?
- Sunday, October 18, 2026 in Bridgewater, NJ at Duke Island Park, Bridgewater, NJ. Check the official event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Paws & Soles Saving Lives with Strides 5K & 10K Run/Walk + Kiddie Dash- Benefiting the Friends of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter?
- Registration is handled through their official registration page. Confirm pricing, distances available, and sign up there.
Paws & Soles Saving Lives with Strides 5K & 10K Run/Walk + Kiddie Dash- Benefiting the Friends of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter
Oct 18, 2026