The Big Forest Half Marathon, 10K, 5K 2025

🌲 The Big Forest Half Marathon, 10K, 5K

In the heart of the first ever forest developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and on the shores of Lake Absegami is a place that seems as distant from our urban lives as a place on the other side of this wonderful country, Bass River State Forest. Join us for the inaugural BIG FOREST HALF MARATHON, 10K, 5K run festival in New Gretna, NJ...only an hour from Philadelphia, half hour from Atlantic City, and hour and a half from NYC. So close, yet you'll feel so far. Camp the night before and make it a weekend to remember. The course is made for uber fan support, just long enough to keep you interested and so that anyone going long gets support from family and friends each time they make a pass at the start and finish line and turn around point of the race. Paved roads, hard packed paths, and wooden boardwalk take you through a cathedral-like forest lined with pine and white cedar.

The woods echo with the song of Yellow Warblers and Common Yellowthroat, and the trills of Pine Warblers and Chipping Sparrows. Belted Kingfishers give their rattling call near the lake, always vocal about the presence of humans. Does it get any better than this? Yes, it does! The race is fully supported with 3 expertly managed support stations with Gatorade, water, and gels. Live timing and live tracking so that we can see your progress on a digital map throughout the entire event. Live streaming of the finish line with photography and finisher videos for all. Add to this some really big and beautiful finisher medals, soft and comfortable technical t-shirts, and food and beverages to go along with the music and fun at our always memorable awards ceremony. So, don't wait, this race will sell out. Join us now and make it happen at the BIG FOREST HALF MARATHON, 10K, 5K run festival.

📅 Event Details and Schedule

RACE DAY

Show up ready to run approximately 30 minutes prior to the start. If you do not have your bib follow directions from staff.

START TIMES

• Half Marathon: 8:30 A.M.
• 10K: 9:30 A.M.
• 5K: 9:31 A.M.

LOCATION

Start location is in front of Lake Absegami's day use area, approximately .3 miles from the entrance. MAP LINK

🎥 Video Links and Course Support

• Video Overview: VIDEO LINK
• Lake Absegami Course Start/Finish: COURSE VIDEO LINK
• Course Support: Traditional water and Gatorade support stations with paper cups at 3 locations (approximately every mile). Also, power gels handed out to keep you going.
• Trash Management: Trash receptacles and volunteers on the course for all trash.

🥇 Amenities

• Finisher Medal: Technical t-shirt, die cast finisher medal, plaque awards for top 3 overall and in age groups of 3.

Timing

• Live Results: Every loop is timed in real time! Your family and friends can track you per loop on the live results page. Video and images uploaded within 2 hours from the end of the race.

🏆 Awards

• Overall Awards: Top three awards to male and female winners.
• Age Group Awards: Age group awards for age groups of 10 years starting at 13 & under, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, through 60 & Better.

🔗 Registration

Join us for this unforgettable race! Register now at The Big Forest Half Marathon, 10K, 5K on October 11, 2025 at 762 Stage Rd., Tuckerton, NJ.