Hoboken Kids Run and Family Fun Day: Free Races Nov. 8

Families in Hudson County, NJ, have a free Sunday morning planned on the Hoboken waterfront. The Hoboken Kids Run and Family Fun Day lands at Maxwell Place Park on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, with short age-group races for children 3 to 10, an Adaptive Kids Run, medals for every finisher, music and light refreshments.

City Challenge Athletics, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, presents the event. Winning Events Group produces it. Registration is free and limited, and only children need to sign up. Our team is sharing the details now so parents can grab an open wave before the popular age groups fill.

When and where

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026
• Check-in: Opens at 8:00 a.m.
• First race: 9:00 a.m.
• Last wave: Adaptive Kids Run at 10:30 a.m.; the morning wraps around 11:00 a.m.
• Location: Maxwell Place Park, 1100 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken, NJ 07030
• Cost: Free

Register on the official RunSignUp Hoboken Kids Run page. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before your child’s start time. Pair the morning with our list of things to do in Hoboken this weekend, or browse the full county roundup of things to do in Hudson County this weekend.

Race schedule by age

Organizers added a second wave for ages 3 to 4 because of high demand among the youngest runners. Wave assignments for that group are given at check-in.

• 9:00 a.m.: Ages 3 to 4, Wave 1, 100 meters (untimed)
• 9:15 a.m.: Ages 3 to 4, Wave 2, 100 meters (untimed)
• 9:30 a.m.: Ages 5 to 6, 200 meters (chip timed)
• 9:50 a.m.: Ages 7 to 8, 400 meters (chip timed)
• 10:15 a.m.: Ages 9 to 10, 400 meters (chip timed)
• 10:30 a.m.: Adaptive Kids Run, flexible distance (untimed)

Some age groups fill fast. As of our check, ages 5 to 6 and Wave 2 for ages 3 to 4 were listed as full on RunSignUp, with spots still open in other waves. Check the registration page for live availability.

Can parents run with kids?

Yes, with a few rules from the organizer:

• Ages 3 to 4: one parent or guardian may run alongside.
• Ages 5 to 10: kids are encouraged to run on their own, with exceptions when a child needs help.
• Adaptive Kids Run: parents, guardians or support persons are welcome.

Parents do not need a separate registration. Only participating children register.

Medals, awards and family fun

Every child who finishes gets a medal. Ages 5 to 10 have chip timing, with awards for the top three boys and top three girls in each of those divisions. The youngest waves and the Adaptive Kids Run stay untimed and focused on fun.

Beyond the races, the morning includes music, professional race photos, water and light refreshments, and a finish-line atmosphere built for families. Cap registration is about 200 children, so free does not mean unlimited.

Who puts it on

City Challenge Athletics was founded in 2017 by Hoboken-area entrepreneur and race director Elvi Guzman. The nonprofit focuses on free and accessible youth fitness across Hudson County. Winning Events Group produces the race day. If Thanksgiving week races are already on your calendar, our guide to turkey trots in Hudson County 2026 covers the bigger November run scene.

How to get there

Maxwell Place Park sits on the northern Hoboken waterfront along Sinatra Drive. Street parking nearby fills early on event mornings, so leave extra time or use PATH to Hoboken Terminal and walk or hop a local bus or light rail toward the north waterfront. After the medals, our guide to the Main Street Pops artisan market at Pier A is also handy if you want a craft market stroll later that Sunday.

Want more free local picks in your inbox? Join our list at subscribe.shophudsoncounty.com, or cast a vote for your favorite hometown spots on the Best of Hudson County 2026 ballot.