Girls on the Run 5K Augusta NJ: Fall 5K at the Fairgrounds Nov 15

The Girls on the Run 5K in Augusta, NJ, is this Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road. Girls on the Run New Jersey North’s fall 5K celebrates girls who just finished the season’s program, and community runners can register to join them for $38 now or $40 at race day registration.

Girls in the program are already registered and do not need to sign up. Family members, friends and anyone else who wants to run, walk or cheer alongside them must register in advance or on race day. Here is everything the organizer has published about the course, registration, parking and what happens on race morning.

Girls on the Run NJ North Fall 5K at a glance

• Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
• Start: 10 a.m.
• Where: Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta (Frankford Township), NJ 07822
• Distance: 5K (3.1 miles), run, walk, roll, push or skip
• Price: $38 during the current registration window, $40 for race day registration. Confirm the current price on the RunSignup page.
• Organizer: Girls on the Run New Jersey North

What is the Girls on the Run 5K?

Girls on the Run is an after school program that combines running with lessons on confidence and teamwork. Each season ends with a celebratory 5K, and for the North Jersey council’s fall season that race is at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. The council’s 5K page says the course takes the fastest finishers about 25 minutes, while most participants finish in 30 to 50 minutes. The emphasis is on finishing, not racing, and participants are welcome to walk, roll, push, run or skip the distance.

Every girl in the program has a running buddy who stays with her for the whole course. Buddies are designated by the council or by a parent or guardian, and parents and guardians are encouraged to serve as running buddies themselves. Every participant must wear a race bib, which the council provides.

Registration and prices

Program participants are already registered. Everyone else, including outside family, friends and community members, must register. Per the council’s 5K page, pricing steps up as race day gets closer:

• $35 pre-registration (ended October 10)
• $38 from October 10 through mid-November
• $40 from mid-November through same day registration

The council’s page and the RunSignup listing give slightly different cutoff dates for the $38 window (November 11 versus November 14), so check RunSignup for the live price when you sign up. All 5K registration forms include liability waivers.

Race day at the fairgrounds

According to the organizer, race day includes:

• Water stations along the course
• Happy hair stations for some race day sparkle
• Merchandise for sale
• DJ entertainment and post-race refreshments, per the RunSignup listing
• A t-shirt for every registered finisher while supplies last, and a medal for every girl in the program

The Sussex County Fairgrounds calendar blocks off 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the event, so expect activity on the grounds well before the 10 a.m. start. The fairgrounds is the same site that hosts the New Jersey State Fair each summer. Read our Sussex County Fair guide for more on the grounds.

Tips for families and running buddies

For many girls this is their first 5K, so the goal on race morning is a calm, happy start. A few ideas from our team for families heading to Augusta:

• Lay everything out the night before. Shoes, layers, a water bottle and the bib if you already have it. Pin the bib on the front of the outermost layer so it stays visible if a jacket comes off.
• Eat something familiar. Race morning is not the time to try a new breakfast. A light, familiar meal a couple of hours before the 10 a.m. start works for most kids.
• Talk about pacing. Running buddies can remind girls that walking is part of the plan. The organizer says most participants finish in 30 to 50 minutes.
• Pick a meeting spot. Fairground crowds can make it hard to find each other at the finish. Choose a landmark before the start.
• Cheer the whole field. Spectators lining the course make a big difference for first time finishers, so bring signs and stay to cheer the last runners in.

Volunteering

The council recruits race day volunteers through an online volunteer sign-up form linked from its 5K page. It is a good option if you want to support the girls without running.

Know before you go

• Parking: The organizer says designated parking spots are available at the fairgrounds. Arrive early to park, find your group and get to the start.
• Bibs: Every participant must wear a bib. The council provides them.
• Weather: Mid-November mornings in Augusta are often cold. Dress in layers, bring a warm hat and gloves for waiting, and pack a dry layer for after the finish.
• More details coming: The council’s page says more details are to come. Watch your registration email for packet pickup, schedule and course updates.
• Questions: Contact Girls on the Run New Jersey North at info@gotrnjn.org or (973) 222-3651.

Make a weekend of it

The 5K kicks off a busy stretch of fundraisers in Augusta. The Frankford Township PTA Tricky Tray is the night before, Saturday, November 14, at the fairgrounds, and two more fairgrounds events follow the next weekend. Our roundup of tricky trays and craft fairs in Sussex County has the full list.

Get the weekend lineup every week. Our free Shop Sussex County newsletter covers races, markets, food and things to do across all 24 towns. Join free here.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Girls on the Run 5K in Augusta NJ?

Sunday, November 15, 2026, starting at 10 a.m. at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta.

Can anyone run the Girls on the Run 5K?

Girls in the program are already registered. Family, friends and community members can join, but they must register first.

How much does the Girls on the Run 5K cost?

$38 during the current window and $40 for race day registration. Check RunSignup for the current price.

Can you walk the Girls on the Run 5K?

Yes. The organizer says participants may walk, roll, push, run or skip. Most finish in 30 to 50 minutes.

Is there parking at the Sussex County Fairgrounds for the 5K?

Yes. The organizer says designated parking spots are available.

Primary sources for this guide: Girls on the Run New Jersey North 5K page, GOTR NJ North Fall 5K on RunSignup, Sussex County Fairgrounds calendar.

Featured photo: stock image of a 5K finish line, for illustration only. Photo by Heru Dharma via Pexels.