New Jersey · 5K
Rutgers Big Chill 5K
Rutgers Big Chill 5K is a 5K event held in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Its next confirmed date is Saturday, December 12, 2026. About 3,250 runners take part across all distances.
- Race day
- December 12, 2026
- Location
- New Brunswick, NJ
- Field size
- ~3,250 runners
Race details
- Date
- Saturday, December 12, 2026
- Location
- New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Distances
- 5K
- Field size
- About 3,250 runners
- Course
- Flat (Rutgers campus and New Brunswick streets)
- Registration
- runsignup.com
- Official website
- community.rutgers.edu
Registration, course & weather
- Registration status
- Open
- Start time
- 10:00 AM EST
- Course profile
- Loop course; Road surface; USATF certified
- Typical race-day weather
- about 29°F at the start, 58% humidity, 3 mph wind (based on the 2025 race day, measured near the city center rather than the exact start line; Open-Meteo, checked October 2, 2026)
About the Rutgers Big Chill 5K
A massive winter charity 5K on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus where each runner brings a toy donation; it has grown into one of New Jersey's largest 5Ks with thousands of participants annually.
Rankings and notes
- Rankings and awards
- Billed as the largest 5K in New Jersey; toy-drive charity race that has donated over 50,000 toys; one of the best-conducted races in the tri-state area.
More 5Ks in New Jersey
Coming up next, by confirmed date.
-
Jack Walsh Great Pumpkin Certified 5K Race & Family Fun WalkWatchung, NJCertified 5KFamily Fun Walk ~500 runners
More races in New Brunswick
More upcoming races in New Jersey
-
5-Mile Beach at Wildwood Crest: Half Marathon, 10K and 5KWildwood Crest, NJHalf Marathon10K5K ~6 runners
Keep exploring
- All races in New Jersey
- 5Ks in New Jersey 182 upcoming races
- 10Ks in New Jersey 49 upcoming races
- Half Marathons in New Jersey 43 upcoming races
- Marathons in New Jersey 7 upcoming races
- 5Ks in the United States 6,420 upcoming races
- December races in New Jersey
- 5Ks in Pennsylvania 224 upcoming races
- 5Ks in New York 171 upcoming races
- 5Ks in Delaware 52 upcoming races
Guides from the RaceRove blog
- 7 min read How to Find a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon or Marathon Near You A practical way to find running races near you: pick a distance, decide how far you'll travel, read the listing properly and confirm the details before you register.
- 8 min read How to Choose the Best Half Marathon for a PR, Racecation or 50-State Challenge The best half marathon depends on what you want from it. How to choose a course for a personal record, a race worth travelling for, or an efficient stop on a 50-state challenge.
- 4 min read Diplo's Run Club 2026-27: Every City, Date and Course Diplo's Run Club is a 5K with a post-race concert. Every US date for 2026-27 (San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, San Diego and Phoenix), start times and courses.
- Blog All guides Planning advice for finding, choosing and travelling to races.
Rutgers Big Chill 5K: common questions
- When is the Rutgers Big Chill 5K?
- The next confirmed date is Saturday, December 12, 2026.
- Where is the Rutgers Big Chill 5K held?
- In New Brunswick, New Jersey.
- What distances does the Rutgers Big Chill 5K offer?
- 5K.
- How many people run the Rutgers Big Chill 5K?
- About 3,250 runners across all of its distances. That figure is an estimate of the field size, not an entry cap.
- How do I register for the Rutgers Big Chill 5K?
- Registration is handled by the organiser at runsignup.com. Entry fees, caps and deadlines are set there.
- Is registration open for the Rutgers Big Chill 5K?
- Yes — registration is open. $30 (from recreation.rutgers.edu, checked October 2, 2026).
- What time does the Rutgers Big Chill 5K start?
- 10:00 AM EST.
- What is the course like at the Rutgers Big Chill 5K?
- Loop course; Road surface; USATF certified.
- What is race-day weather usually like at the Rutgers Big Chill 5K?
- about 29°F at the start, 58% humidity, 3 mph wind (based on the 2025 race day, measured near the city center rather than the exact start line; Open-Meteo, checked October 2, 2026).
Plan this race in RaceRove
Save it to your plan, compare it with other races, check typical race-day weather and track your 50-state progress in the interactive app.