The Paws & Soles Saving Lives with Strides 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run is a major fundraiser for the Friends of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter (FOSRAS) and a wag of a great time! The annual event draws animal lovers from all over to share the day with and in honor of four-legged friends. In addition to the official 5K event, the day includes vendors, food, and of course, a chance to meet FURiends.
The Cupid Fund is a special fund dedicated to helping our shelter animals that require extraordinary medical treatment. The fund provides care for any animal needing more than the basics- spay/neuter, vaccines, and microchipping. All medical tests, blood work, specialist consults, surgery, treatment of illnesses, etc. are paid for by donations to FOSRAS Cupid Fund. Please visit our website at: https://www.fosras.com
Friends, participants, and canines will run/walk the flat trails and picturesque backdrop of the flat, fast, USATF-NJ Certified Course at Duke Island Park. There will be Overall Winner Awards and Age Group Awards. Walk or run with your dog! Dogs can join the race starting at 9:20 AM and are required to start at the back of the starting group behind the runners. Registered dogs receive a doggy goody bag (while supplies last).
4 years old and under- 25 yard dash
5-7 years old- 50 yard dash
All kiddie dash participants will receive a finisher prize
Participants registered by September 15th are guaranteed a t-shirt or long-sleeve shirt. During registration, there is an option to forgo the t-shirt.
Day of registration: Run/Walk- $40 + $5/dog
Kids 10 and under $15
Kiddie Dash: $12
To ensure an enjoyable walk for 2 legged and 4 legged participants:
Certified 5K Course Link:
https://www.certifiedroadraces.com/certificate/?type=l&id=NJ16520JHP
8:30 AM Registration Opens
9:10 AM Kiddie Dash
9:25 AM 5K Run/Walk Start
10:15 AM 5K Awards Ceremony
10:45 AM Doggy Costume Contest
9:00-12:00 PM Vendors open
Vendors will be available until 12 PM
Overall 1st place 5k - Male & Female
Overall 2nd place 5k - Male & Female
Overall 3rd place 5k - Male & Female
Age categories
Top 3 5k finishers, male & female in various age categories.
We use Chronotrack RFID systems for chip timing. All awards will be calculated based on chip time, not gun time.
Email heartandsole5knj@gmail.com to participate!
Website
Oct 18, 2026
Distance — 25 Yards
Type — Running
09:00
$12.00
Oct 18, 2026
Distance — 5K
Type — Running
09:20
$40.00
Oct 18, 2026
Distance — 5K
Type — Running
09:20
$15.00
Oct 18, 2026
Distance — 5K
Type — Running
09:20
$45.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for October in Bridgewater.
Learn more about the host city, Bridgewater.
Bridgewater is a township in New Jersey with a population of 44,000. It has a long history, having been created in 1749 and incorporated in 1798, and according to tradition was where the first official U.S. flag was unfurled. It was primarily rural until the mid 20th century, but today it is a fairly developed suburban community, with traces of its rural past concentrated in the northwest of the township.
Read more launchOfficial finishing times from previous editions of Paws & Soles Saving Lives with Strides 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run- Benefiting the Friends of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter.
| Place | Name | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Stephanie Johnson | — | |
| 🥈 | Kristen Fessele | — | |
| 🥉 | Nancy Jordan | — | |
| 4 | Lee Fessele | — | |
| 5 | John Harris | — | |
| 6 | Paula Heacock | — | |
| 7 | Mary Stawicki | — | |
| 8 | Alison Hoffner | — | |
| 9 | Jaimie Grapel | — | |
| 10 | Fernanda Makoski | — | |
| 11 | Keira Forker | — | |
| 12 | Alicia Reed | — | |
| 13 | Abby Hoffner | — | |
| 14 | Danielle Hoffner | — | |
| 15 | Rebecca Gibble | — | |
| 16 | Erin Pratt | — | |
| 17 | Debra Gruber Harris | — | |
| 18 | J. Newman | — | |
| 19 | Patti Mastrogiacomo | — | |
| 20 | Meghan Tregoning | — | |
| 21 | Bob Miller | — | |
| 22 | Laura Lasko | — | |
| 23 | Courtney Newman | — | |
| 24 | Dawn Reitz-Bromley | — | |
| 25 | Jordyn Auge | — | |
| 26 | Mary Pat Gibble | — | |
| 27 | Samantha Miller | — | |
| 28 | Chris Donovan | — | |
| 29 | Mike Newman | — | |
| 30 | Steve Gibble | — | |
| 31 | Tyana Truong | — | |
| 32 | Jennifer Mandato | — | |
| 33 | Alyssa Totoro | — | |
| 34 | Lori Walako | — | |
| 35 | Stephanie Preisler | — | |
| 36 | Anke-Catharina Timm | — | |
| 37 | Jack Schocklin | — | |
| 38 | John Mastrogiacomo | — | |
| 39 | Chris Miller | — | |
| 40 | Angie Gibble | — | |
| 41 | Edward Bromley | — | |
| 42 | E. Newman | — | |
| 43 | Lauren Curtis | — | |
| 44 | Erica Czajkowski | — | |
| 45 | Nancy Gedbaw | — | |
| 46 | Michael Pollock | — | |
| 47 | Nancy Petrucelli | — | |
| 48 | Jennifer Westlein | — |
Read what other athletes have to say about their experience at the Paws & Soles Saving Lives with Strides 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run- Benefiting the Friends of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter.
Be the first to share your experience with the community!
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