5K Race for Recovery 4th of July

Join us for the annual Market Street Mission 5K Race for Recovery 4th of July! We are excited to see you at Central Park of Morris County on July 4!  Proceeds from the event will support the programs of the Market Street Mission, a non profit organization which ministers to the hungry, homeless and those struggling with addiction by meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs through a structured program which enables them to lead responsible, productive lives. We encourage you to show your support for those who are striving for recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and help provide the necessary programs and resources for those in need in the community. 

Market Street Mission is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides all our services free of charge to those in need. We are not subsidized by government funding. To learn more about Market Street Mission, visit www.marketstreet.org. 

Watch the 2022 Race for Recovery recap!

2024 Shirt 

Shirt Distribution Information & Cut Off Dates 

Shirts are available in unisex and ladies cuts. To guarantee your requested shirt size, please register early!

LIVE Events

• • ·Shirts can be picked up the day of the race. Shirt sizes can only be guaranteed if you register by June 24. Size options may be limited after this date and shirt availability will be on a first come first served basis while supplies last.

VIRTUAL Event 

• • Shirts will be mailed. Please ensure the address you register with is your shipping address! 
  • Souvenir tees will be mailed to you as close to event day as possible. 

You don’t have to wait a whole year to race with us again! Join us each October at our annual 5K Race for Recovery on the Boardwalk (formerly the Jersey Shore Rescue Mission 5K Race and Family Walk) in Ocean Grove, NJ!

Our Mission has three locations in Morristown, Asbury Park and Sussex County, all with the goal to fight alcoholism, drug abuse, hunger and homelessness in New Jersey. Our location in Asbury Park, NJ supports the Jersey Shore community and offers free daily meals, emergency overnight shelter and our Life Change Recovery Program.  

The annual 5K Race for Recovery on the Boardwalk is held on a Saturday in late October! The 5K Race, 2 Mile Walk and Kids Fun Run enjoy scenic ocean views from the boardwalk through Asbury Park, Ocean Grove and Bradley Beach! Proceeds from the event support the programs of the Market Street Mission. We encourage you to show your support for those who are striving for recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and help provide the necessary programs and resources for those in need in the community. 

Register early and save a few bucks through our Mission to Mission Bundle which offers 25% off when you register for both the 5K Race for Recovery on the Boardwalk AND the 5K Race for Recovery 4th of July. Simply select the "Mission to Mission Bundle" when registering on either race website.

You might be wondering – beyond simply a fun event, why is this race important? Why do people join?

At the Market Street Mission, we serve the community with meals, shelter, and a men’s addiction recovery program – and our mission to serve our neighbors in need is close to the hearts of many people for different reasons.

For Irene, who has been running with us for the past few years, our race is a way to honor her son who passed away. “I race to keep my son’s memory alive through Market Street Mission,” she said. And, because it is a Race for Recovery, she said, “I race for all that have made it, for those still fighting, and for those who lost the fight".

Nate and Luke, who are graduates of the Market Street Mission’s addiction recovery Life Change Program, were recent “Mission Possible” team captains. They believe that training for our race and working toward recovery go hand in hand. “The race is a commitment, and you want to get to the finish line. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, just that you go on the journey and make it to the end. I look at it like that with recovery, too,” Luke explained. And for Nate, the race is a great opportunity for the men in our program to focus on physical health and create a sense of brotherhood together. As team captains, they worked to encourage other men in our program to set goals and have fun together.

While the race is a great activity for our Mission residents, it’s also a way for our community to show support for those struggling with substance abuse, as well as their loved ones (this keeps the race near to the heart of the mission of our addiction recovery program!) The race serves as a way to raise financial support for the Mission and its programs as well.

Nate thinks it’s important for the community to come to events like the Race for Recovery so they can get to know the Mission and the people we serve face-to-face. “We have our issues, but we’re good people,” he said. “At community events, people get to see the progress we’re making and what the program is actually doing.” Luke echoed his thoughts: “everybody either has a family member or knows somebody that has been struggling with addiction, and [the race] is just a few hours to show support for the cause and come together. That’s a huge win.”

Join us each year at one of our races and show your support of those running the race of recovery!

About the Market Street Mission

The Market Street Mission is an experienced organization with a proven method of helping to fight alcoholism, drug abuse, hunger and homelessness throughout New Jersey. As a non-profit organization we rely on the charitable support of compassionate donors to provide meals, shelter & hope, 365 days a year.

Our mission is to surround our neighbors in need with God’s love and everything they need to get back on their feet – food and shelter, counseling and job training, spiritual guidance and Bible study – to live stable, productive lives in our community.

Last year, across our three locations, Market Street Mission had the opportunity to serve 153,506 meals to homeless and underprivileged individuals; provide 47,920 shelter nights of care to men at our Emergency Shelter and residents in our Life Change Program; and graduate 42 men from our Life Change Recovery Program!

Experience a Race Day Like No Other! When you join our 5K Race for Recovery, you get more than just a run—you get a full race day experience! From exciting perks to race-day essentials, we’ve got you covered:

• Live race experience!!

• Registration comes with a souvenir event tech tee and souvenir bib #.

• Chip timing for the 5K will be provided by BestRace.com. Each 5K participant will receive a race bib with a timing chip attached to the bib. Results will be posted on the website after the race.

• There will be 3 water stations along the 5K route and 1 along the 2 Mile Freedom Walk.

• Refreshments will be provided!

• Enjoy our energetic playlist all morning. 

• Random On-Site Giveaways - all registrants receive tickets for a tricky-tray style giveaway at 10am! (Must be present to win.)

Our event will take place at Central Park of Morris County.  Click the map below to explore the route! 

5K Race

Please note that we utilize the established county 5k route, however we reverse the direction of part of the course (as in the past) to create a safer flow of runners and walkers for our event. This is a beautiful cross country course at the Central Park of Morris County featuring trails, paths, grassy sections, open sky, and tree cover. Watch your footing as there will of course be roots and rocks along the way. This course is not designed for baby joggers/strollers. You can access the MapMyRun here.

Freedom Walk (2 Miles)

Our Freedom Walk courses share the paths and trails of the 5K. It is a beautiful course, but be aware that there is dirt, rocks, and roots out there. If you are more comfortable on a paved path, you are welcome to utilize our old walk course which circles the park's tennis courts. 

**Updated as of June 18, 2021.  Subject to change as CDC and NJ regulations change.

Event Day Health & Safety Rules - Attendee Expectations 

• Above all, we are anticipating an amazing day of live competition, camaraderie, family activity, and support for the Market Street Mission! In these times, it is each of our responsibilities to protect one another, ourselves, and the community at large. What follows is the plan we have created for a safe and healthy event day. We ask that each attendee reads this guide prior to event day and understands what is expected of them as part of the MSM 5K Race community.
• The event team reserves the right to disqualify and ask to leave anyone not following these rules of participation.
• If you have any signs or symptoms related to COVID-19 including an elevated temperature … DO NOT ATTEND. We can convert your registration to a virtual run/walk.
• As per USA Track & Field and our Insurance Policy:
  
  • Participants, spectators, volunteers, and staff must perform a self-temperature check prior to arrival at the event and confirm it is below 100.4 degrees.
  • Attendees must not be experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19, must not have been around anyone who was sick in the past 14 days, and must not have travelled internationally or to a travel advisory state in the past 14 days.
  • Event Day Safety Survey – Attendee Statement & Advisory
    • On event morning, by entering our reserved event site in any capacity, you are confirming your acceptance and agreement to this document. Please see below to read the text prior to event day.
• There will be no bag check to limit contact between attendees and volunteers/staff. Please do not bring extra items to the site or return them to your vehicle before your assigned start wave.
• Social Distancing
  • Our event site is vast and naturally allows for social distancing except when approaching certain areas where lines may form such as check-in, port-a-potties, refreshments, and kids' activities. While in those areas, we ask that you abide by our social distancing protocols to keep all attendees safe and comfortable. 
  • During our welcome and awards ceremonies, attendees tend to congregate near the DJ. We ask that you maintain social distancing during these times and take advantage of our large field and/or watch the welcome ceremony LIVE from your smartphone via our Facebook Event page. 
  • On course: Pass widely on course to maintain a minimum of 6’ distance (preferably 12’) from others. Please see "On the 5K and Walk courses" below for further instruction.
• Masks
  • Masks are no longer required at outdoor gatherings as per the State of NJ
  • We do ask that you consider carrying your mask around the event site in case you encounter a congested area.
  • As per USATF and our Insurance, masks are required to be carried on course, but not required to be worn while running or walking except in certain situations. Please see "On the 5K and Walk courses" below. Disposable masks will be available at the start area.
• Other
  • Always respect the personal space of others
  • Please NO spitting on-site or on the course
  • Cough/sneeze away from people and into your elbow
  • Remember that in 2021 it is perfectly polite AND expected to NOT shake hands or high 5
  • Smiles and good vibes are always welcome!
• Water
  • Individual sealed water bottles will be available at the event site.
  • The course water stations will only have individual sealed bottles (no grab n’ go cups).
  • It is recommended that you bring your own water in a hydration pack or favorite water bottle to alleviate any congestion near the water station(s) and to reduce our environmental impact.
• Sanitizing Stations
  • Hand sanitizer will be available at check-in, port-a-potties, refreshments, water tables, and kids activity station.
  • Sanitizing wipes will be available at the port-a-potties and refreshments.
• Staggered Assigned 5K Start Waves
  • Expect to receive your starting time via email the day prior to the event.
  • It is recommended to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. for check-in, however check-in will be open at 7:45 a.m.
  • Report to the starting corrals 5 minutes prior to your assigned start time or as announcements are made.
  • The start area will have a social distancing protocol to keep all runners safe and comfortable. 
• On the 5K and Walk courses
  • As per USATF and Insurance, we must ask for our course that all runners carry face coverings, verbally announce when they are within 10m of another runner and preparing to pass, and that the runner being overtaken stops and steps to the side of the trail and waits for the passing runner to move at least 10m ahead; both runners should put their face coverings on for this passing procedure, then can remove them once completed.
  • It is also recommended that you wear your mask if you are not able to maintain social distancing at any point along the course.
• 5K Results & Awards
  • Results & Awards are by CHIP time as there is no one official “gun time” for the start.
  • Printed results will not be displayed to avoid close congregating.
  • Finish times and places will be available shortly after all runners have finished on the event website.
  • An awards ceremony will be held and medals distributed to winners as close to 10:15 a.m. as possible. Please maintain social distancing during the ceremony and retrieve your medal contactlessly from the award table.
• Refreshments 
  • We will have snacks and fruit available for you. Please follow our social distancing and contactless protocols at the refreshment tent.
• Spectator Statement
  
  • As we have a vast event site and due to NJ's removal of outdoor gathering limits, we are happy to announce that we can welcome spectators to the event. Please note that spectators are also subject to all rules and to the Event Day Safety Survey (see below). 

Event Day Safety Survey – Atendee Statement & Advisory for all Participants, Spectators, Volunteers, & Staff

On event morning, by entering our reserved event site in any capacity, you are confirming your acceptance and agreement to this document.

• I certify that I have
  • performed a self-temperature check today and attest that my temperature was below 100.4 F.
  • not experienced any signs or symptoms related to COVID-19 within the past 7 days (OR at least 7 days from onset of any COVID-19 infection signs or symptoms AND at least 72 hours since signs / symptoms have resolved).
  • not been in close or sustained contact with anyone who was sick within the past 14 days.
  • not traveled internationally within 10 days of the event (or have completed a 10 day quarantine after US arrival OR a 7 day quarantine with negative test after a 3-5 day quarantine OR are fully vaccinated).
• I agree to carry a face covering while on the 5K or Walk courses for use in the event social distancing is not possible or for passing others
• I understand the risks and possibility of contracting covid-19 or any other virus at an in-person gathering.
  • I take personal responsibility for that risk to my own health and safety.
  • I agree to protect others by following social distancing protocols.
• Advisory to Participants
  • It is strongly recommended that individuals considered by the CDC to be “at-risk” NOT attend. If these “at-risk” individuals choose to participate, it is recommended that they get clearance from their healthcare provider.

Safety, safety, safety! This is the name of the game. We want each and every participant to have a fun, healthy, and safe event experience! In these unprecedented times, we as your event organizers, are not able to look after your safety at our event site or on the run and walk courses. The ball has been thrown back to each of us as participants to ensure our own safety and the safety of others while participating. We can and will provide guidance, but ultimately you must be responsible for YOUR own health and safety during the virtual event. 

HEALTH

There is no concrete rule, evidence, or recommendation on wearing masks while exercising outside and therefore we as your event organizers will not take a stance on this issue. We encourage you to do your own research and act accordingly and ALWAYS listen to your body while engaging in fitness activities. As per the CDC's website: "We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms." With this is mind, we do ask that YOU put public health and safety ABOVE competition and athletic goals at this time. While out running or walking, please make sure you and others you encounter on your chosen path are maintaining the minimum recommended social distancing gap of 6'. If this means that you need to pause your run/walk, and allow someone to safely pass, please do so. If you need to (safely) cross the street, to allow for proper social distancing, please do so. If you need to reroute your intended course to avoid others, please do so. And above all, if you feel sick in any way or not 100% healthy, please DO NOT participate. (We will be happy to manually add you in to the results when you ARE back to healthy.)

TRAFFIC

Unless you are able to participate on traffic-free paths or in a closed park, traffic is a concern for runners or walkers as it is on any normal day! Never assume a vehicle will stop for you. Please be alert and aware of your surroundings throughout your run/walk especially when approaching intersections or if there is no pedestrian sidewalk. This part may seem obvious, however...always be sure to obey traffic rules such as stopping at stop signs and traffic lights and looking both ways before you cross a street! 

LOCAL AND STATE REGULATIONS

One very cool thing about our first Virtual Event is that you can participate from anywhere! This means that we have participants from many states and even outside the United States! It is essential that while planning your participation you are fully aware of your local regulations. For example: Check if your parks are open for use before arrival. Does your area require masks while outdoors? If so, and you are not comfortable participating with one, can you create a unique course around your yard and throughout your home? Is traveling (driving) for recreation allowable by local authorities, or should you run a course that starts and ends on your own steps? Please do your research and ensure you are in compliance. 

FUN, FITNESS, & FUNDRAISING

Above all, get out (or stay in) and have a great time while supporting Market Street Mission! Your registration, team recruitment, and fundraising efforts ARE making a difference for those in need in our community and your participation keeps YOU fit while inspiring others in your neighborhood to do the same. While our normal routines may have shifted, no one has told us to stop having FUN, being FIT, and SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER! Thank you for joining us this year! 

Our Facebook Event Page will be a place to get information for all aspects of our event - Virtual 5K AND Live Race. This is where we can interact, share our goals and results, post pictures of our bibs, shirts, and our run, and get new information about the race!  You’ll find pre-race encouragement here before the race, and lots of fun during Race Weekend from July 1 - 4, 2022!

For those not registered for our LIVE in-person events and those looking to be more socially distant at our live event, this is where you can tune into the LIVE STREAM of our race kick off on race day (Monday, July 4, 2022).  We'll bring you all the fun right to your computer screen! 

Click here for the Facebook Event Page and then RSVP "GOING"! Be sure to share your pictures, tag us on Facebook or Instagram (@marketstreetmission) and use hashtag #msm5k. 

How is the 5K Race TIMED and will RESULTS be posted? 

5K race times will be recorded with B-Tag timing chip technology provided by BestRace.com. Each participant will receive a race bib with a timing chip attached on the back. Your finish time will be calculated from when we say GO at the start line to when you cross the finish line timing mat. Preliminary unofficial results will be available at Bestrace.com/Mobile after you cross the finish line. Official results will be posted same day on the website. 

Will participants be awarded based on PERFORMANCE?

YES! An awards ceremony for the 5K will be held and medals distributed to winners as close to 10:00am as possible. Medals awarded to the Top 3 overall men and women as well as the Top 3 in each 5 year age group (14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, etc. through 90+).

Will there be any PRIZES?

YES!  We'll be hosting our giveaways after the Awards Ceremony on Race Day! All registrants and volunteers are eligible to win. Get all the details when you check in at registration on Race Day! 

How will I get my TECH TEE? 

Shirts can be picked up the day of the race beginning at 7:30am. Shirt sizes can only be guaranteed if you register by June 23. Size options may be limited after this date, so register early! Shirts will be first come first serve for registrations starting July 1. 

What should I WEAR? 

Dress in comfortable running attire and proper running shoes! Our race course is a cross country course - so please plan accordingly! Don't forget, your registration includes a tech tee, so you may want to put that on before the race. We also encourage festive holiday wear and coordinated team outfits! 

Do you offer any DISCOUNTS?

While event registration fees are essential to covering our costs, we understand that the fee might create a financial burden for some and a barrier to attending our community event. If you would benefit from a discount code to attend, please contact us!  We also offer a 25% discount if you register for both the 5K Race for Recovery 4th of July and our race in Ocean Grove in October, the 5K Race for Recovery on the Boardwalk! Be sure to register using the "Mission to Mission Bundle" to get the special pricing. 

What about SPECTATORS? 

Spectators are welcome to attend this event! 

Is this event Rain or Shine?

Yes! Check the weather report and prepare accordingly! In the event of high heat, please be sure to hydrate, use sunscreen, and know your limits. In the event of severe inclement weather such as thunderstorms, you will be asked to report to your vehicle for safety until the storm passes and activities may resume.

Anything I should know about the event site?

Due to our venue and course, we recommend the use of bug spray and checking for ticks. Due to our cross country course, we remind you to watch your footing for roots and rocks. We also ask that for the safety of all, our courses remain free from baby joggers, pets, and headphones.

What about Water & Recycling?

Always remember to Hydrate! We encourage all attendees to bring your own water in a hydration pack or favorite water bottle to alleviate any congestion near the water station(s) and to reduce our environmental impact. However, we will have an ample supply of water at the event site and on the course. Please mind the recycling and trash signs on the disposal cans and do your part to ensure we can recycle all of our plastic water bottles. Trash cans are color coded. White is for Plastic Bottle Recycling Only and Orange is for Trash going to the landfill. 

USATF-NJ Cross Country Grand Prix

Our 5K is part of this series!

So you’ve registered for the Market Street Mission 5K Race for Recovery, and now it is time to take the next step! Set up your fundraiser and help raise valuable support for the Market Street Mission. 

We are issuing a challenge to everyone who registers for the race: raise $200! (And it's easier than you think!)

But why $200? Here's what it means at Market Street Mission:

• A meal for all the men in our addiction recovery program
• Or an overnight stay including breakfast, dinner, a shower and clothing for 7 men
• Or counseling sessions to help those struggling in our community get back on their feet 

Imagine the collective impact: if 300 people raise $200 each, that's a whopping $60,000! 🤯 Together, we can create a huge positive change in our community.

Here's how to raise $200 easily:

1. Ask 6 people to contribute:

• $25 from yourself 
• $25 from your significant other 
• $40 from two family members 
• $10 from a few coworkers 
• $50 from a friend (or $25 from two friends)

2. Utilize our pre-made graphics and share about your fundraiser on your social media! Better yet, connect your fundraiser directly to Facebook and invite your friends to join.

Facebook Graphic   |   Instagram Graphic   |   Story Graphic 

3. Send an email or text using our templates! 

Email & Text Message Template

4. Don't forget to thank those that help you reach your goal! 

 

Fundraising Tips

• Set up your personalized fundraising page on Run Sign Up.  If you missed this during the registration process, don't worry, you can set it up here. We've provided some basic text to get you started, but feel free to change it to share why YOU are supporting Market Street Mission!
  
  
  
• Once your fundraiser is set up, be sure to share it on social media! Click the big "Create Your Fundraiser on Facebook" button to link your fundraiser to your Facebook page.  This is the easiest and one of the most effective steps!
  
  
  
  
• Share your personalized fundraiser link with family, friends and coworkers! You can find your personal fundraiser link under the "manage" tab after setting up your page.
   
  
  
  
• Keep your fundraiser updated! Don't forget to check your progress and thank your donors.  If you reach your goal, consider raising your goal to help change more lives at Market Street Mission!  Every dollar makes a difference!  You can find your fundraiser by logging into Run Sign Up and clicking "Profile".  Click on your fundraiser and then use the menu buttons to find what you are looking for! 
  
  
  
  
• Don't want to fundraise alone? Fundraise as a TEAM! Set up a team fundraiser and contribute to a larger goal with the help of your running buddies! On the fundraiser set up page, simply turn on the "Team" fundraiser option!
  

Participants in live fitness events wear bib numbers during the event. We hope you will wear it on your 5K run or walk. It’s one extra way for us all to be connected through our shared virtual experience!  As a bonus, you'll spread the word about Market Street Mission further than ever before as you run or walk through your neighborhood. You have two bib # options:

Option 1:

To access and print your personalized bib # through your RunSignUp registration, follow these steps:

1. Log-in to RunSignUp.com and go to your profile by clicking the circle in the upper right corner. Scroll down to Upcoming Events and locate our event.
2. Click on the last option for "View Digital Bib".
3. Voila, your bib will appear! There is a prominent Print button above the bib image. You can also use the Print button to save your bib as a pdf if you'd like to share it on social media or save it for a future time. 

Option 2:

Alternatively, you can print a blank bib pdf (without your name and assigned #) and decorate with sharpie, pen, crayons, bedazzler, etc! Add your name, team name, a message of hope or support, or a drawing...anything you feel inspired to include!  (Downloadable PDF here!)

Once your bib # is ready to go, you can cut out your bib, poke holes through the 4 corners, and attach to your event day top. Usually, bib #s are attached to a participant’s shirt with safety pins through the 4 corner pin holes. However, you can get creative and use anything you have at home though such as decorative pins, string, badge holders, or tape!

Step 1:

Register for the Virtual 5K Race and share the event with your family and friends (near and far)! Your registration includes a souvenir tech tee. All shirts will be shipped, so ensure your registration address is your shipping address! 

Step 2:

You can download and print a digital bib number to wear while you walk or run! Click here for instructions on downloading your digital bib #! 

Step 3:

Join us online on our Facebook Event to be a part of the #MSM5K community! Don't miss the LIVE STREAM of our Race Kick Off on July 4 on Facebook Live! 

Step 4:

Run/walk the 5K on your own or with your team at anytime during the race window. Once you've completed your 5K and submitted your results, you can download and share your finisher certificate! If you're not ready to do the full 5K at one time, split it up across a few days.  Click here for instructions on submitting your results!

If you've joined us before, you may remember Central Park of Morris County being in Morris Plains, NJ. The park now appears as being in Parsippany-Troy Hills on Google Maps. We are still in the same park and on the same course!

To pinpoint our event venue (across from main parking lot): https://goo.gl/maps/7bXG9iN9nyjjBtAM7

The Google Maps listing for Central Park of Morris County: https://goo.gl/maps/N2tu2JEW7LFjiMUB6 

For the closest parking please proceed to the corner of Central Ave. and Lathrop Lane near Field 1 and park in the lot designated #1. The next closest lots are #2 and #3.  Use the above links for GPS directions from your location.

Please note that since Gov. Chris Christie Dr. was opened as an access road from W. Hanover Ave., access to the park was closed along Central Ave. if approaching from the East. There are many ways around if you happen to encounter this roadblock. 

We are planning a great day for you! It will be lots of fun and a great opportunity to join together, run, and celebrate! Our event will take place at Central Park of Morris County on July 4th!  Please see the Parking & Directions page for details on how to find us.

7:30am - Check-In and Registration Open

8:30am - Kick Off Celebration

9:00am - 5K Starts

9:10am - Freedom Walk (2 Miles)

9:45am - Kids Fun Run (age-based sprints on the grass)

10:00am - 5K Awards Ceremony & Giveaway Winners

Sponsor a Runner – Help Change a Life! Give a man in our Life Change Recovery Program the opportunity to participate in the Race for Recovery by sponsoring his race entry. Your support will provide him with a race bib, T-shirt, and the chance to experience the encouragement of our community as he takes strides toward a brighter future.

For many in our program, running the 5K or walking in the 2 mile Freedom Walk is more than just a race—it’s a symbol of strength, perseverance, and hope in their recovery journey.

How You Can Help:

• $40 – Covers one runner’s race registration and race day essentials
• $80 – Provides two men the chance to participate
• $200 – Helps multiple program participants experience this special event
  
  

By sponsoring a runner, you’re not just covering a race fee—you’re supporting life transformation. Thank you for making a difference!

Sponsorships are an integral part of planning a 5K – in fact they are essential to fund the event! As a local partner in our community, we hope this opportunity will speak to your heart and that you will join us in helping to change the lives of those addicted to drugs and alcohol. Our goal is to raise much needed funding for the Market Street Mission Life Change Recovery Program in support of men working their way from addiction to sobriety.

Market Street Mission ministers to the hungry, homeless and those struggling with addiction throughout New Jersey by meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs through a structured program which enables them to lead responsible, productive lives. We care for the immediate needs of today and long-term needs for a stable, independent tomorrow.  According to the CDC, today 190 Americans will lose their lives due to drug-related causes. Your financial support will go a long way to help provide our clients with the much needed physical, emotional and spiritual care to combat this disease…a bridge to a life characterized by hope. 

We invite you to watch the video below to meet Jacob, our Program Director, and hear how his life was transformed at Market Street Mission. 

_________________

Gift in Kind Donations

We welcome other sponsorship levels and Gift in Kind donations and will help create a custom sponsorship package that is right for you! We gladly accept donations of:

• Gift baskets or gift cards for our tricky-tray style giveaways
• Water bottles, snacks, and other Race Day essentials
• In-kind services to help bring the events to life

How to register as a Sponsor:

Click the "Register as a Sponsor" button. You will be asked to create a sponsor profile. Please have your logo ready to upload. Logos can be uploaded in full color on the website, but logos on the t-shirt will be printed in 1 color.  Please send your single color logo in an original format (vector is best, but .pdf, .jpg, .ai will also work) to sburk@marketstreet.org. The deadline for shirt artwork is Friday, June 12, 2026. 

An invoice will be emailed to you for your sponsorship within a few business days. If you wish to pay by check, please make it payable to the Market Street Mission and mail to: Sam Burk at Market Street Mission, 9 Market Street, Morristown, NJ 07960. Please note in the memo "5K Sponsorship". Sponsorship payments can also be made via credit card with the link in the invoice. For more information about these opportunities, please contact Sam Burk at sburk@marketstreet.org. 

Thank you in advance for your support of the Market Street Mission and our annual 5K Race!

You did it! You rocked those miles! You go! Here is how you make your efforts and accomplishment official.

There are a few ways you can time your 5K run or walk:

1. Run or walk your 5K anytime before July 4.
2. You can run or walk outside with your favorite fitness app or a stopwatch and then report your time here on Run Sign Up using the instructions below. 
3. You can run or walk on your treadmill and report your time here on Run Sign Up using the instructions below.
4. You can run or walk as many times throughout event weekend as you would like and submit your best effort. 
   
   

How To Submit Your Results: 

1. Visit the Results page.
2. Make sure Virtual 5K is displayed in the dropdown box under Result Set. Click on the blue "Submit Virtual Results". 
   
3. Next, enter your First and Last name (as you registered) OR your email and date of birth to look up your registration. Your bib number and name will appear on the next screen. Click the blue "Submit Virtual Results" button in the event column.
   
4. Enter your finish time in Hours: Minutes: Seconds or select "I finished, but did not time my run." if you prefer not to list your time but be displayed as a finisher.  (You can alternatively upload a GPX, FIT, or TCX file if you prefer.) Finally, click on the red "Submit Your Time" button. Voila! (Give it about 2-3 minutes and your time will appear on the original Results page.)
   
   
   

How To Get Your Finisher Certificate:

1. After you submit your official Virtual 5K result, visit the Results page, click on your name to view your individual results page.
   
2. Then click on "Certificate" and print or share it! 
   

Running or walking is more fun with your friends and family AND you can make an even bigger impact for Market Street Mission by forming a TEAM!

And if that is not enough, we have some awesome TEAM incentives to offer!

• For teams of 5+ people: Special team check-in! You and your team report to the VIP check-in area to expedite your check-in on race morning!

• For teams of 10+ people: Team Bibs! We will print your team name on a special souvenir bib! *For registrations by Mon 6/16. Team Captain must pick up custom bibs by 8:00am on race day.

• For teams of 15+ people: Add your team name to our shirt! Your team will be listed on the back of our shirt for special recognition. *For registrations by Fri 6/13.

• For teams of 20+ people: Customize your t-shirt back! Make your team stand out with custom shirt backs! *For registrations by Fri 6/13. Captain must pick up custom shirts by 8:00am on race day.

• For teams of 25+ people: Your team will get your own gathering space at our event site! 

*Teams can continue to grow after these deadlines but new members won't be eligible for custom shirts or bibs. 

The bigger your team, the more incentives you can earn so start inviting your friends today! And don’t forget about our Referral Rewards Program! Refer 5 friends to our race and when the 5th person registers with your unique URL (see your confirmation email), you’ll automatically receive a refund of your registration fee!  

Take your team to the next level!

• Set up a team fundraiser: It is easier to meet a goal when you are working together. And if you share your fundraiser on Facebook, you don’t even have to call or email all your aunts and neighbors to get their support! Get all the details on setting up a fundraiser here.
• Set your team apart: What makes your team unique? Are you running in memory of someone special? It’s time to show off your team’s awesomeness! This might be special shirts, headbands, socks – anything that sets your team apart! Be creative. 
• Invite your friends who aren’t local: Do you have people who would join your team but they aren’t local? That’s ok! You can participate in person and they can join us “virtually” through our Virtual 5K! 

Can’t make it to our in-person event? No problem! You can still be part of the 5K Race for Recovery by joining our Virtual 5K from anywhere in the world. Walk or run at your own pace, on your own course, and still make a meaningful impact.

By participating virtually, you’ll support the Market Street Mission’s life-changing programs while spreading awareness for addiction recovery in your own community. Sign up today, track your miles, and share your journey with us on social media!

How does a Virtual 5K work? 

Step 1:
Register for the Virtual 5K Race and share the event with your family and friends (near and far)! Your registration includes a souvenir tech tee. All shirts will be shipped, so ensure your registration address is your shipping address!
 

Step 2:
You can download and print a digital bib number to wear while you walk or run! Click here for instructions on downloading your digital bib #! 

Step 3:
Run/walk the 5K on your own or with your team at anytime before July 4. 

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Virtual Race FAQs

WHEN should I run or walk this?
You can run or walk this ANYTIME you desire before July 4! 

WHERE should I run or walk this?
This is 100% your choice!  You can run or walk on your treadmill at home, or run around your neighborhood. 

HOW should I run or walk this?
Run or walk any way that works for you! Need to break it up into a few sessions - then do that! Want to run a few times over the weekend - you can do that too!

How do I get my DIGITAL BIB?
Participants in live fitness events wear bib #s during the event. You can download and print one here on this website. We hope you will wear it on your virtual 5K run or walk.  It’s one extra way for us all to be connected through our shared virtual experience!

Are TIMES verified?
No. For this virtual fun event, time are not verified. If you are looking for a verified time, please register for our LIVE event! 

Will participants be rewarded based on PERFORMANCE?
No, because participants are running in different locations, times, etc. we will not have any awards. 

HOW will I get my TECH TEE? 
All tees will be mailed to registrants of our virtual events. Please ensure the address you register with is your shipping address! 

WHEN should I run or walk this?

You can run or walk this ANYTIME you desire during the Race Weekend - July 1-4! 

WHERE should I run or walk this?

This is 100% your choice!  You can run or walk on your treadmill at home, or run around your neighborhood. 

HOW should I run or walk this?

Run or walk any way that works for you! Need to break it up into a few sessions - then do that! Want to run a few times over the weekend - you can do that too and post your best result! 

How do I get my DIGITAL BIB?

Participants in live fitness events wear bib #s during the event. You can download and print one here on this website. We hope you will wear it on your virtual 5K run or walk.  It’s one extra way for us all to be connected through our shared virtual experience! Click here for instructions.

How do I report my TIME?

You can run/walk with your favorite fitness tracker, use your treadmill, or even just time yourself with a stopwatch and report your finish time. You can share your time or just share that you completed the 5K. Results can be submitted any time between July 1 - 4. Click here for instructions!

Are TIMES verified?

No. For this virtual fun event, times reported are on the honor system. If you don’t want to report your time, you can just report that you completed the 5K! If you are looking for a verified time, please register for our LIVE event! 

WILL RESULTS be posted?

Yes! Results will be on the results page of the website. Click here!

Will participants be rewarded based on PERFORMANCE?

No, because participants are running in different locations, times, etc. we will not have any awards. 

HOW will I get my TECH TEE? 

All tees will be mailed to registrants of our virtual events. Please ensure the address you register with is your shipping address! 

We need volunteers to make this event possible! To register as a volunteer please click below to see what positions we have available. If you have any questions, please call or email Debbie McKenna, our Events & Volunteer Manager, at 973-538-6337 or dmckenna@marketstreet.org.

To ensure proper planning and training, and ensure the safety of all our volunteers and participants, pre-registration is REQUIRED.  Volunteers will not be allowed to show up on the day of the events without pre-registering.

Here's everything you need to know before attending the Race for Recovery! 

• Location & Parking: Our event site is at Central Park of Morris County as in the past, however the park appears differently from past years on maps and GPS. Find details, GPS links, and a parking map here.
• Start Times: The 5K Race is scheduled to start at 9am; the Freedom Walk at 9:10am and the Kids Fun Run at 9:45am.
• Arrival Time: Check-In will open at 7:30am. We recommend arriving at least 45 minutes to 1 hour before your start time to have enough time for check-in, returning items to your vehicle, hydrating, warming-up, using the potties, etc.  And you won’t want to miss our Kick-Off Celebration starting at 8:30am!
• Health & Safety: Your health and safety is our priority. Only attend if you are feeling 100% healthy and prepared to run or walk your distance. Don't forget to stay hydrated!
• Weather: Check the weather report and prepare accordingly! Remember we are rain or shine! In the event of high heat, please be sure to hydrate, use sunscreen, and know your limits. In the event of severe inclement weather such as thunderstorms, you will be asked to report to your vehicle for safety until the storm passes and activities may resume.
• Venue & Course Notes:
  • Due to our venue and cross country course, we recommend the use of bug spray and checking for ticks, and we remind you to watch your footing for roots and rocks.
  • We also ask that for the safety of all, our courses remain free from baby joggers, pets, and headphones.
  • You can view the course map here.
  • Our Freedom Walk courses share the paths and trails of the 5K. It is a beautiful course, but be aware that there is dirt, rocks, and roots out there. If you are more comfortable on a paved path, you are welcome to utilize our old walk course which circles the park's tennis courts.
  • The Kids Fun Run takes place on our open field and is VERY spectator friendly!
  • Potties: We will have port-a-potties on the event field conveniently located near check-in and the start line. Central Park also has indoor restroom facilities with sinks located between the turf fields across Parking Lot 1 (see park map here).
• 5K Results & Awards: All 5K runners will have an assigned bib # with timing chip on the back. Wear your bib # on the front of your shirt. Preliminary unofficial results can be found after you cross the finish line at BestRace.com/Mobile and final official results can be found here. At 10 a.m., medals will be awarded to the Top 3 overall and Top 3 in each 5 year age group (14 & under, 15-19, etc. through 90+).
• Environmental Notes:
  • While plenty of water will be available on-site, we encourage you to bring water in your own reusable bottle to help reduce our single-use plastic waste. Stay hydrated!
  • Orange bins are for trash going to the landfill. White bins are for Plastic Bottle Recycling Only. If you have additional recycling, please deposit it back near check-in as we can't comingle recyclables on-site.
• Bring your Team: Your friends and family can still join you! Registration is open online until the start of the race. We also will accept new registrations on event day via our website or by cash or check on site. 
• NEW! Convenience Corner: Forget to charge your phone? Need a band-aid? Visit the BestLife.Events "Convenience Corner" tent for a phone charging station, basic first aid items, and convenience items you may have left at home. 

Top 3 Overall Male and Female Runners
Top 3 Male and Female in each 5 year age group
Age Groups: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85+

• Registration comes with a souvenir event TECH tee. We continue to offer women's size tech tees again this year to pre-registrants who order online by June 7th.  All shirts guaranteed to pre-registrants, so sign up early! (Event day signups will receive tech tees while supplies last. In the event women's sizes are no longer available on race day, unisex tech tees may be provided while supplies last). 
• Refreshments will be served throughout the event. 
• Our DJ will be spinning energetic tunes all morning.  
• Chip timing for the 5K will be provided by BestRace.com. 
• 5K is a USATF-NJ XC Grand Prix event 
• There will be 3 Water Stations along the 5K run.  
• Random Giveaways - all registrants are eligible.

Our theme for Sunday July 5 is FAMILY DAY!  All week we have had giveaways happening on our Facebook Event page. Our FAMILY DAY Giveaway details will be released on Sunday morning at 9am! (Hint - one of our giveaways is related to coloring this picture!) So, grab your kids, colored pencils, markers, crayons, and start coloring! (Download and print the coloring page by clicking on the PDF icon below.) Upload a photo of your completed artwork to our Facebook Event page on Sunday, July 5, and we'll be randomly selecting 3 winners! Happy coloring!  

Online Registration will be available until midnight on 7/2/20. If you miss the opportunity to register online, you can register on-site on event day starting at 7:30 am with cash or check.

• 5K with tee through 5/31 - $25 ($22 for USATF-NJ members)
• 5K with tee through 7/2 - $30 ($27 for USATF-NJ members)
• 5K on event day (tees while supplies last) - $35
  
  
• 2M Walk with tee through 7/2 - $20
• 2M Walk NO tee through 7/2 - $10
• 2M Walk on event day (tees while supplies last) - $25
  
  
• Kids Fun Run (tees first come first serve) - no fee, RSVP for tee

Online registration ends July 2, 2020 at 11:59pm EDT.

Safety, safety, safety! This is the name of the game. We want each and every participant to have a fun, healthy, and safe event experience! In these unprecedented times, we as your event organizers, are not able to look after your safety at our event site or on the run and walk courses. The ball has been thrown back to each of us as participants to ensure our own safety and the safety of others while participating. We can and will provide guidance, but ultimately you must be responsible for YOUR own health and safety during the event. 

HEALTH

There is no concrete rule, evidence, or recommendation on wearing masks while exercising outside and therefore we as your event organizers will not take a stance on this issue. We encourage you to do your own research and act accordingly and ALWAYS listen to your body while engaging in fitness activities. As per the CDC's website: "We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms." With this is mind, we do ask that YOU put public health and safety ABOVE competition and athletic goals at this time. While out running or walking, please make sure you and others you encounter on your chosen path are maintaining the minimum recommended social distancing gap of 6'. If this means that you need to pause your run/walk, and allow someone to safely pass, please do so. If you need to (safely) cross the street, to allow for proper social distancing, please do so. If you need to reroute your intended course to avoid others, please do so. And above all, if you feel sick in any way or not 100% healthy, please DO NOT participate. (We will be happy to manually add you in to the results when you ARE back to healthy.)

TRAFFIC

Unless you are able to participate on traffic-free paths or in a closed park, traffic is a concern for runners or walkers as it is on any normal day! Never assume a vehicle will stop for you. Please be alert and aware of your surroundings throughout your run/walk especially when approaching intersections or if there is no pedestrian sidewalk. This part may seem obvious, however...always be sure to obey traffic rules such as stopping at stop signs and traffic lights and looking both ways before your cross a street! 

LOCAL AND STATE REGULATIONS

One very cool thing about our first Virtual Event is that you can participate from anywhere! This means that we have participants from many states and even outside the United States! It is essential that while planning your participation you are fully aware of your local regulations. For example: Check if your parks are open for use before arrival. Does your area require masks while outdoors? If so, and you are not comfortable participating with one, can you create a unique course around your yard and throughout your home? Is traveling (driving) for recreation allowable by local authorities, or should you run a course that starts and ends on your own steps? Please do your research and ensure you are in compliance. 

FUN, FITNESS, & FUNDRAISING

Above all, get out (or stay in) and have a great time while supporting Market Street Mission! Your registration, team recruitment, and fundraising efforts ARE making a difference for those in need in our community and your participation keeps YOU fit while inspiring others in your neighborhood to do the same. While our normal routines may have shifted, no one has told us to stop having FUN, being FIT, and SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER! Thank you for joining us this year! 

Since we can't meet in person, our Facebook Event Page will act as our Virtual Event Venue in 2020. This is where we can interact, share our goals and results, post pictures of our bibs, shirts, and our run, and get new information about the race! AND this is where you can be part of our Live Kick-Off.

Click here to go the Facebook Event Page and then click GOING! Be sure to share your pictures, tag us on Facebook or Instagram and use hashtag #msm5k!

Participants in live fitness events wear bib #s like the one above during the event. We hope you will print yours and wear it on your 5K Race for Recovery run or walk (or even as you accumulate Miles for the Mission). It’s one extra way for us all to be connected through our shared Virtual experience!  As a bonus, you'll spread the word about Market Street Mission further than ever before as you run or walk through your neighborhood. 

1) To access and print your personalized bib # through your RunSignUp registration, follow these steps:

• Log-in to RunSignUp.com and go to your profile by clicking the circle in the upper right corner. Scroll down to Upcoming Events and locate our event.
• Click on the last option for "View Digital Bib"
• Voila, your bib will appear! There is a prominent Print button above the bib image. You can also use the Print button to save your bib as a pdf if you'd like to share it on social media or save it for a future time. 

2) Alternatively, you can print a blank bib pdf here (without your name and assigned #) and decorate with sharpie, pen, crayons, bedazzler, etc! Add your name, team name, a message of hope or support, or a drawing...anything you feel inspired to include! 

3) No printer? Use any paper you have and create your own bib #!

Once your bib # is ready to go, you can cut out your bib, poke holes through the 4 corners, and attach to your event day top. Usually, bib #s are attached to a participant’s shirt with safety pins through the 4 corner pin holes. Pins will be available when you pick-up your souvenir event tech tee. You can get creative and use anything you have at home though such as decorative pins, string, badge holders, or tape!

Step 1: Register for the 5K Race and share the event with your family and friends (near and far)! Register by June 16, 2020 to ensure you can pick-up your souvenir tech tee before the event kick-off on July 3rd! (For registrations after June 16, we will attempt to have your shirt available prior to race weekend, but cannot guarantee this.)

Step 2: Print and wear your personalized bib # (more info below). 

Step 3: Join us online during event week for special virtual activities and daily giveaways!

Step 4: Run/walk the distance on your own at anytime during the race window (July 3 - July 5 at 8pm). Submit your results using the instructions below, and then download and share your finisher certificate! If you're not ready to do the full 5K at one time, split it up across a few days. 

No dogs or other pets are allowed on the courses for safety and insurance reasons. Baby joggers, bikes, roller skates, or other wheeled devices are not allowed on the 5K course. Baby joggers/strollers are allowed in the Family Walk. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

In case of an emergency, please let one of our volunteers or EMS teams know immediately.  We will have emergency first aid available. Please do not bring personal belongings with you to the race. The Market Street Mission and its volunteers cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items.  We do not have an area of safe keeping for your personal items. 

Yes, your 5K is going to be awesome! But are you looking for a bigger challenge? A challenge we all take on together. How many miles can you log in the one month before the BIG 5K? A 3.1 mile training run? How about a 50K (31 miles) over 30 days? As a community let's log 2,000 total miles is support of recovery!

Because our community is so great, we upped our goal to 2,000 miles from 1,000 miles!

Thank you to Columbia Bank Foundation for sponsoring the first 1,000 miles at $1 per mile and an anonymous donor who sponsored our next 400 miles at $1 per mile. This means our miles are going even further to change lives for men in recovery at Market Street Mission!  

Recovery comes in all shapes and sizes...

• recovery from addiction like the men in the Life Change Recovery Program
• recovery from homelessness and hunger like those served by the Market Street Mission
• recovery from our global pandemic
• recovery from each of our personal challenges
• and recovery from a challenging workout!

Recovery doesn't come easy and neither do these miles! Will you join Team Market Street in achieving our community goal of 2,000 miles as we all stride towards a better tomorrow?

Take on an additional challenge and turn your miles into dollars! Create a fundraising page and ask your friends, family, and coworkers to support your challenge with a donation. Each of us can submit a mileage goal for the month when entering our first effort. Your supporters can track your progress in the results list. Donations of any size are welcome or you can request a per mile contribution at the end of the one month challenge (or based on your goal)! Click here to start a fundraiser! 

Here's a "How To" for adding YOUR Miles for the Mission and having them count towards our 2,000 Mile goal!

• Between Saturday June 6th and Sunday July 5th, run or walk as many times and as many miles as you can for Market Street Mission.
  • (Even though we have always been a running event, you can even add your bike or swim miles! More of a workout video or weight lifting type? Each 20 minutes counts as a mile!)
• Click here to Add Your Miles and on the next screen click on the red "Submit Virtual Results" button.
  • Or read no further and click here to watch a "How To" Video.
• Use the Participant Lookup feature to locate your results portal and click on the red "Log Activities" button.
  • If you are logged in, you will be able to immediately proceed.
  • If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to verify your identity with either your email or last 4 of your phone #. 
• Distance is the most important thing to enter, but you can also include your time for each activity and will see an overall time for all miles logged and an average pace (time is optional). You can also add comments for each activity. Comments are NOT publicly displayed and are just for you. 
• Add your goal! Besides our community goal of 2,000 miles, each of us can enter a personal mileage goal. You can change this as you go and view your progress.
• There are other ways to access your Virtual results portal as well:
  • Through your profile (small circular icon in upper right of screen) with the blue clickable Submit Virtual Results link under this event in the upcoming events section. 
  • By visiting the Results page from the menu bar (under More) and then clicking on your Name in the Miles for the Mission Results set. Your personal results page will open. Click on the red "Log Activities" button. 
    • You can also copy and share the URL of your personal results page so friends and family can track your progress and even donate to your fundraiser!

For the closest parking please proceed to the end of Central Ave. near Field 1 and park in the lot designated #1. The next closest lots are #2 and #3.  Use Central Ave. and Lathrop Lane, Morris Plains, NJ 07950 for GPS directions from your location.

• 7:30am: Registration
• 9:00am: 5K Race
• 9:05am: Friends and Family Walk with your choice of a 1 or 2 mile course
• 9:45am: Kids Fun Run (a free fun event for children ages 12 and under)
• 10:00am: Awards Ceremony and Giveaways

One of our Life Change Recovery graduates designed this special "virtual edition" tee! Click here to read more about Elias and his story of recovery!

Shirts are now available for pick-up!

For registrations after June 23, shirt sizes can not be guaranteed, but we will try our best to accommodate your request. We will have a limited supply of limited sizes available for pick-up prior to event festivities. Thank you for your understanding as we navigate the logistics in our virtual year. 

Packet Pick-up Details for Morristown:

• Address: Market Street Mission, 10 Bank St., Morristown, NJ 07960.
  • Please note the Market Street entrance is closed to the public!!!
• Procedure: Ring the bell, please wear a mask, someone will greet you and retrieve your packet!
  • June 25 (Thursday) from 9 a.m. through Noon
  • June 26 (Friday) from 2 p.m. through 5 p.m.
  • June 29 (Monday) from 5 p.m. through 7 p.m.
  • June 30 (Tuesday) from 9 a.m. through 11 a.m. AND 3 p.m. through 5 p.m.
  • July 1 (Wednesday) from 5 p.m. through 7 p.m.
  • July 2 (Thursday) from 10 a.m. through 12 p.m.
• If you absolutely can not make any of these times, please contact dmckenna@marketstreet.org for alternate arrangements. 

Packet Pick-up Details for Denville, Hillsborough, and Florham Park:

• You have been sent an email regarding your pick-up. Please contact tears@practicehard.com if you did not receive this email. 

Requests for Mailed Shirts

• Shirts ordered by 6/23 will go to USPS on Friday, 6/26. USPS delivery times can not be guaranteed, but you should receive your shirt in time to wear for event weekend. Registrations after 6/23 will be mailed no later than 7/7. 

Be A Hero…Help Change A Life! Become a sponsor for The Market Street Mission 5K Race for Recovery. Sponsorships are an integral part of planning a 5K – in fact they are essential to fund the event. As a local partner in our community I hope this opportunity will speak to your heart and that you will join us in helping to change the lives of those addicted to drugs and alcohol.

Maybe you know someone like “Will” who came to us broken from the drugs he was using and selling. He hated the lifestyle he lived as an addict, the way he treated and talked to people, and the anger he carried with him every day. It’s interesting that someone shared 1 Cor 5:17 with “Will” before he left detox two years ago. That verse from the bible states “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things become new.” That verse is painted on our wall as you enter our mission. And it describes what happens to those who are transformed by our Life Change Program – they become new creations themselves. “Will” knows personally – he is a graduate of the mission, gainfully employed, engaged to a wonderful young lady and part of a loving church community.

Market Street Mission has been providing life change to those who seek it, since 1889. In the past 130 years, the face of addiction has changed from alcohol abuse to the more prevalent and deadly abuse of heroin, fentanyl and ecstasy. As we celebrate our own freedom on July 4th, 2020, we will race …. to support the programs of the Market Street Mission, to promote a healthy drug-free lifestyle for those in recovery, to remember a loved one who lost his or her battle to addiction.

Please join us by becoming a race sponsor today. You can be a hero and help change a person’s life. For more information, visit our website or contact Eric Jones at 646-306-8585 or eric.jonesinvt@icloud.com.  Thank you for considering this opportunity! 

You did it! You rocked those miles! Whether it was a run, walk, swim, bike, or workout for the Miles for the Mission Challenge (June 6 - July 5) or your official 5K race, run, walk all in one shot or 1 mile at a time (July 3-5). You go! Here is how you make your efforts and accomplishment official.

***Due to the fast-release of awesome technology to assist in virtual events this year, results submission may initially appear slightly unclear. Please bear with us and the system and read the below instructions before adding a 5K result or Miles for the challenges.***

!!!When you visit the Results Submission area there is a prominent red dropdown box where you can choose the category in which you are submitting results or miles (read further to find out which category to use).!!!

• Your official 5K Run or Walk result is accepted in the "Virtual 5K Race, Run, Walk Official Results & Participation Log" category.
  • • Your 5K can be run or walked between 6 a.m. on Friday July 3rd through 8 p.m. on Sunday July 5th.
    • You can submit your result through Tuesday July 7th at midnight. 
      • You can run or walk as many times throughout the event weekend as you would like and submit your best effort. You can even split the 5K into several parts, take a break in between, and add up the times.
    • Submit your 5K finish time (or enter 99:00:00 if you did not time yourself or prefer to not share a finish time).
    • Please note these 5K results are NOT tied to the Miles for the Mission Challenge or Event Week Mile Challenge tallies. Please add your official 5K result to the Challenge categories as well for the 3.1 miles to count towards either or both challenges.

• Miles for the Mission 2,000 mile Challenge submissions are accepted through EITHER of the "Miles for the Mission" categories. 
  • • The Challenge counts all community miles from June 6th - July 5th.
    • Mileage submissions from BOTH categories combine together for the displayed total on our homepage, count towards our progress announcements on Facebook, and towards sponsor donations! Please only add miles to one category or the other, not both. 

• Event Week Mileage Challenge submissions (including your official 5K run or walk) are also accepted through EITHER of the "Miles for the Mission" categories.  One stop for both challenges!
  • • This challenge runs from June 29th - July 5th. The top 10 mile-earners this week will be entered into a drawing for an awesome prize.
      No math, no stress! We will tally all event week submissions (June 29 - July 5) separately from the overall Miles for the Mission on our end.

Finisher Certificate: After you submit your official 5K result, visit the results tab "Virtual 5K Race, Run, Walk Official Results & Participation Log", click on your name to view your individual results page, then click on Finisher's Certificate and print or share it! 

Thank you for your attention, patience, and most of all your support!

This year’s “Virtual Edition” design was created by Elias, a Market Street Mission graduate! As Elias worked on the design for this year’s Race for Recovery t-shirt, he couldn't stop smiling as he thought of the joy and peace he has in his heart today. Not long ago, his life was a much different story...

Elias first tried drugs and alcohol as a teenager. Everyone else around him was doing it — including his parents — so “it didn’t seem like a big deal,” he says. But then he became addicted to prescription pain pills, and life quickly spiraled out of control. He hit rock bottom when he lost his job and became homeless. “It was horrible and depressing. The only way I got through being homeless was to be high all the time.”

Then Elias heard about the Mission. He came with doubts and a disbelief in God, but the loving care he experienced at the Mission helped him discover a relationship with Jesus Christ. That faith has given him a strong foundation to rebuild his life.

“When you get stuck in your ways over time from drug use, it seems so difficult to get out. It’s a beautiful thing now to wake up with a smile on my face.”

Today, Elias is back working in graphic design — a career that he loves. He was thrilled when he was asked to design this year’s shirt for our 5K Race for Recovery, which has been turned into a virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He hopes that everyone who is able will participate in this event to raise money and awareness so the Mission can offer healing to others just like him.

“It’s given me hope and a foundation to start over… it’s a life change program. To be able to start fresh thanks to their help is an amazing thing. The Mission absolutely saves lives.”

Sign up today to participate in this year’s race and get your incredible t-shirt designed by Elias!

WHEN should I run this?

You can run this ANYTIME you desire during the Race Weekend - July 3 - 5, 2020! 

WHERE should I run this?

This is 100% your choice!  You can run on your treadmill at home, or run around your neighborhood.  If you choose to run outdoors, please take every precaution ordered for your area of the country. 

HOW should I run this?

Run or walk any way that works for you! Need to break it up into a few sessions - then do that! Want to run a few times over the weekend - you can do that too and post your best result!

How do I report my TIME?

You can share your time or just share that you completed the 5K. Results can be submitted any time between July 3 and July 5, 2020 at 8pm. Details on how to upload your results and print your finisher certificate will be shared during Race Week. So check back then! 

Are TIMES verified?

No. For the virtual fun event, times reported are on the honor system. If you don’t want to report your time, you can just report that you completed the 5K! 

WILL RESULTS be posted?

Yes! Results will be on the results page of the website.

Will participants be rewarded based on PERFORMANCE?

No, because participants are running in different locations, times, etc. we will not have any awards this year. 

Will there be any PRIZES?

YES!  We will have daily prize drawings for those registered for the race! Details and winners will be announced in our Facebook event! Make sure you RSVP as "Going" to the Facebook event so you don't miss any of the fun! 

HOW will I get my TECH TEE? 

Our souvenir tech tee this year is AWESOME and was designed by a Market Street Mission graduate! If you register for the "Virtual 5K Run/Walk (with tee)" by June 16, you will be able to pick up your shirt before the event. For registrations after June 16, we will attempt to have your shirt available prior to race weekend, but cannot guarantee this.

In these challenging times, if you are able to pick-up your shirt our small team would greatly appreciate the effort! Local shirt pick-up will be available in Morristown, Denville, Florham Park and Hillsborough, NJ. Please select your pick up location when you register.  Pick up will take place June 29 - July 5 with times/specific addresses emailed to you. If you are unable to leave home or do not live locally, please provide your shipping address as your registration address. Thank you for your patience, help, and understanding as we navigate these new processes!

We need volunteers to make this event possible! To register as a volunteer, click on “Volunteer” at the top of the page to see what positions we have available. If you have any questions, please call or email Debbie McKenna, our Volunteer Coordinator, at 973-538-6337 or dmckenna@marketstreet.org.

Running or walking is more fun with your friends and family AND you can make an even bigger impact for Market Street Mission by forming a TEAM!

And if that is not enough, we have some awesome TEAM incentives to offer!

• For teams of 5+ people: Special team check-in! You and your team report to the VIP check-in area to expedite your check-in on race morning!

• For teams of 10+ people: Team Bibs! We will print your team name on a special souvenir bib! *For registrations by Wed 6/19.

• For teams of 15+ people: Add your team name to our shirt! Your team will be listed on the back of our shirt for special recognition. *For registrations by Mon 6/17.

• For teams of 20+ people: Customize your t-shirt back! Make your team stand out with custom shirt backs! *For registrations by Mon 6/17.

• For teams of 25+ people: Your team will get your own gathering space at our event site! 

*Teams can continue to grow after these deadlines but new members won't be eligible for custom shirts or bibs. 

The bigger your team, the more incentives you can earn so start inviting your friends today! And don’t forget about our Referral Rewards Program! Refer 5 friends to our race and when the 5th person registers with your unique URL (see your confirmation email), you’ll automatically receive a refund of your registration fee!  

Take your team to the next level!

• Set up a team fundraiser: It is easier to meet a goal when you are working together. And if you share your fundraiser on Facebook, you don’t even have to call or email all your aunts and neighbors to get their support! Get all the details on setting up a fundraiser here.
• Set your team apart: What makes your team unique? Are you running in memory of someone special? It’s time to show off your team’s awesomeness! This might be special shirts, headbands, socks – anything that sets your team apart! Be creative. 
• Invite your friends who aren’t local: Do you have people who would join your team but they aren’t local? That’s ok! You can participate in person and they can join us “virtually” through our Virtual 5K!