The Saint James Almost Winter Classic 5K takes place on November 7, 2026, in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, at Pleasant Valley Park (Tobin Heath Field). The 5K race begins at 10:00 AM with entry fees ranging from $30.00 to $40.00.
From the Race Organizer
The race will take place at Pleasant Valley Park (Tobin Heath Field) in Basking Ridge 9:00 AM - Pre-Race Check-in: 9:00AM 9:45AM - Opening Ceremony 10:00 AM - Race Time 11:00 AM - Awards Ceremony Feel free to stay for the NJ Catholic Middle School XC Championships We anticipate the following prizes: Medals for the top 3 in each age/gender group Boys 13 and Under Girls 13 and Under Boys High School Girls High School Men 19-34 Women 19-34 Men 34-49 Women 34-49 Men 50+ Women 50+ Top 3 Overall Male and Top 3 Overall Female will win a gift certificate from The Sneaker Factory in Basking Ridge 1st: $150 2nd: $100 3rd: $75 We will once again be running at Pleasant Valley Park. This year there will be professional timing by Pioneer Timing. The Saint James Almost Winter Classic is a race created by the Saint James School of Basking Ridge XC Team to promote post XC season running among child and adult athletes in the greater Northern and Central New Jersey area. 100% of the proceeds from the event go to help support programming and to make Catholic School education more accessible. Donations are GLADLY ACCEPTED! Thank you for supporting Catholic schools. The Saint James XC program is a leader in grade school cross-country in the state of New Jersey. We promote safe and healthy outdoor activity that helps children become better athletes and even better people. The Almost Winter Classic was created in 2020 because so many athletes had a limited opportunity to access indoor sports during the COVID-19 pandemic. When XC ended, there was no place for many athletes to turn for winter sports. In response, the SJS XC Community created a 5K club for its athletes and parents who wanted to participate. Since 5K race options were limited, we decided to create an event that would give runners the opportunity to compete in a friendly way and help to build our running community. Saint James School was founded in 1965 and educates children Pre-K to 8th Grade. Shirts will be available for pickup at PVP on Race Day.
Course & Travel Notes
The Saint James Almost Winter Classic 5K in Basking Ridge, New Jersey takes place at 400 ft elevation. Sunrise on race day is 6:35 AM, occurring 3 hours 25 minutes before the 10:00 AM start. November typically sees average highs of 54°F and average lows of 31°F, with measurable precipitation on 29% of days. Newark Liberty International Airport is the nearest major airport, located 20.2 miles from the venue.
⛰️ 400 ft elevation☀️ Typically 54°F / 31°F · 29% chance of rain✈️ Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) — 20.2 mi
Hotels Near This Race
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Saint James Almost Winter Classic 5K 2026 — Basking Ridge, NJ
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Race Travel Insurance
Don't forget travel insurance for November 7.
You've trained for months and booked a trip to Basking Ridge, NJ.
A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing.
Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it,
and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run
5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no
additional coverage needed.
Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
When is Saint James Almost Winter Classic 5K 2026 — Basking Ridge, NJ?
Saint James Almost Winter Classic 5K 2026 — Basking Ridge, NJ takes place on November 7, 2026. The race is held in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
Where is Saint James Almost Winter Classic 5K 2026 — Basking Ridge, NJ held?
Saint James Almost Winter Classic 5K 2026 — Basking Ridge, NJ is held at Pleasant Valley Park (Tobin Heath Field) in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
Where can I find hotels near Saint James Almost Winter Classic 5K 2026 — Basking Ridge, NJ?
RaceHotelFinder shows hotels sorted by distance from the race venue in Basking Ridge. Use the map or list view on this page to compare options and book race weekend accommodation.
