The Annual Walkathon of The Arc of New Jersey and its Local County Chapters
Step Up For The Arc is an annual statewide initiative of The Arc of New Jersey, with walkathons held locally by nearly every county chapter. It's a fun, healthy and easy way to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. If you wish to participate or make a donation at the local county level*, please contact the local county chapter in your area. If you wish to support the state-level advocacy efforts of The Arc of New Jersey, Donate Now.
*Funds raised through local county chapters are used to support and enhance the services they provide for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
March
The Arc of Union - March 16, 2025
Join us on Sunday, March 16, 2025 for a 5K/1 mile walk. Our venue this year is Oak Ridge Park, Clark.
Run, Walk or Sponsor!
The Arc of Union County's Step Up for The Arc event will occur on Sunday, March 16th, 2025, at Oak Ridge Park in Clark, NJ. This year's theme is the Shamrock Shuffle, and our goal is to raise $15,000! COURSE: The event features a 5K run and a 1-Mile Fun Walk, both taking place on paved paths within Oak Ridge Park. There will be a water station along the route, and clocks will be available at each mile marker and at the finish line. This event is part of the 2025 USATF Grand Prix series.
SCHEDULE:
8 am - 8:45 am - Registration, coffee and breakfast
8:30 - Zumba Warm Up
9 am - 5k Start
9:15 am - 1 Mile Fun Walk Start
10 am - 11:00 - Awards
Supporting The Arc will help us continue providing services to more than 1000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families
Contact info: Marianne Kranz, mkranz@arcunion.org
Register or Sponsor before February 22 to be guaranteed a t-shirt or have your company logo on the t-shirt! Click to Register or Sponsor: Register Here
APRIL
The Arc of Monmouth - April 5, 2025
Join us on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Long Branch Boardwalk to Step Up For The Arc! Walk with us alongside the ocean and enjoy a fun community day with music, games, and more to support individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)! You can help us reach our goal by fundraising as a individual or as a team!
Event Details
Event Start: 10:30 AM Registration Opens, 11 AM Walk Begins
Event Location: Long Branch Boardwalk. Parking available at Seven Presidents Park.
221 Ocean Avenue North, Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
Registration will be located next to Seven Presidents Parking Lot at The Arc of Monmouth Tent.
Event Is Rain Or Shine!
Please No Pets!
Click here to learn more.
The Arc of Essex - April 26, 2025
Join The Arc of Essex County for our 27th Annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run and Family Walk on Saturday, April 26, to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The 5K is followed by a Fun Fest with face painters, science experiments, live music, and more! 5K registration begins at 8 a.m. The event is rain or shine. Register today and be a part of the fun while helping your community. Register Here.
MAY
The Arc Ocean - May 17, 2025
Step Up for The Arc on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Jersey Shore BlueClaws for The Arc, Ocean County Chapter's 22nd Annual Walk and 5K Race. Show your support for people with disabilities and their families by walking with us at the ballpark and enjoy a fun-filled community event.
Description
Join The Arc, Ocean County Chapter at our 23rd Annual Step Up for The Arc Walk and 5K Race to raise awareness and funds for the 1,000 individuals with disabilities we support in Ocean County, NJ.
- Date: Saturday, May 17th 2025
- Location: Jersey Shore BlueClaws ShoreTown Ballpark, 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood, NJ 08701
- Time: 7:00am-9:00am 5K Race and 10:00am-1:00pm 1-Mile Walk and Family Fun
Event proceeds will benefit The Arc's mission to advocate, provide opportunities and supports necessary for all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be accepted and valued as citizens of the community in which they choose to live, learn, work and play. Learn more at www.arcocean.org.
Schedule
7:00am 5K Race registration opens
8:00am 5K race starts
9:00am 5K race awards ceremony
10:00am 1-mile walk registration and family fun day opens
11:00am celebration ceremony
11:30am 1-mile walk starts
12:00pm after-party lunch
Walk and Family Fun Details
Walk Registration: It is recommended to register online for the 1-Mile Walk and Family Fun Day in advance to ensure a quick check-in process, but event day registrations are always welcome. Registration opens at 10:00am for the Walk at the 3rd base entrance where you can check-in with our event volunteers to complete a registration form and waiver, hand in day of donations, and collect your t-shirt incentive for fundraising $50 or more.
Celebration Ceremony: Our Walk celebration ceremony will start at 11:00am on home plate with a warm-up from our Adaptive Fitness instructor, special guest speakers, and the National Anthem.
1-Mile Walk: Our 1-mile Walk countdown will begin at the balloon arch by 1st base immediately following our opening ceremony. Please note the walk route is accessible, and that each lap around the concourse is 1/3 mile so we encourage you to walk three laps to complete the 1-mile walk.
Family Fun: We have a fun-filled day planned just for you! Please enjoy all our exciting entertainment from 10:00am to 1:00pm including music, arts and crafts, carnival games, prizes, face painting, yoga, and more!
Refreshments: Water, fruit, granola bars, and other light refreshments will be available throughout the event.
After-Party Lunch: After we walk 1-mile to celebrate individuals with disabilities, let's keep the party going with lunch donated by Jersey Mike's Subs. Please email development@arcocean.org for specialty lunch options no later than May 1st.
Parking: Free and accessible parking will be available on-site at the stadium.
Click here for more information.
Contact Info:development@arcocean.org
The Arc Middlesex - May 17, 2025
Step Up for The Arc on Saturday, May 17, 2025 is at Woodlot Park.
Description:
Date: May 17, 2025
Location: Woodlot Park 124 New Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
Time: 10:00am- 1:30pm
Registration and Breakfast at 9:00am
Contact Info: Ashley Figueroa afigueroa@arc-middlesex.org
The Arc Somerset- May 31, 2025
Step Up for The Arc on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at Duke Island Park. The new twist on our Step Up for The Arc 5K Run & Walk will have the whole community Rockin'!
Step Up for The Arc!
The Rockin' Breakfast Run, presented by The Arc of Somerset County, is an annual 5K Run and Walk fundraiser that helps support vital programs designed to provide quality services and supports for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Somerset County.
Where: Scenic Bridgewater, NJ
When: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Run Start Time: 9:00 AM
Walk Start Time: 10:30 AM
Step Up for the Arc for a morning of fun, fitness, and community support!
Event Highlights:
Timed 5K Run: Enjoy an amazing, flat course with breathtaking views of Duke Island and the Raritan River & Canal. Half the course runs adjacent to the water, offering a truly peaceful experience!
Walk: Not a runner? No worries—join us for the walk and enjoy the same stunning scenery.
Delicious Breakfast Sandwiches: Treat yourself after the event with a variety of breakfast sandwich options!
Participants Will Receive:
- A stylish shirt or tank top
- A unique finisher medal
- A delicious breakfast sandwich
Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience in support of a great cause!
Click here for more information
Contact Info: Lisa Fielding Clymer
LisaC@TheArcOfSomerset.org
JUNE
The Arc of Bergen & Passaic Counties-June 1, 2025
Join us for a fun-filled morning for the whole family
Location: Olsen Park/Bogota Recreation Center
162 W. Main Street, Bogota, NJ
Parking in Bogota Swim Club Log, 452 Feller Place
Event Time:Registration begins at 9:30 am
Walk begins at 10:30 am
Featuring music, games, face painting &
free food. Bring your friends, family, neighbors,cousins, aunts & uncles!
Contact Info:
Marianne Balazs, mbalazs@arcbp.com
The Arc of Salem County-June 7, 2025
Location: Riverview Beach Park,Pennsville, NJ
Event Time: Registration begins at 9:00 am
Walk begins at 10:00 am
Contact: Patty Irwin, 856-935-3600 x113
The Arc of Gloucester - June 14, 2025
Location: Riverwinds Community Center
1000 Riverwinds Dr. West Deptford, NJ
Event Time: Registration begins at 8:30 am
5K and Walk begin at 10 am
SCARC - June 14, 2025
Come one, come all to the 24th annual Gordon & Ginny Shelton Memorial Walkathon
Location: Sussex County Fairgrounds.
Event Time: Registration begins at 9am and the Walk begins at 10:30AM. Register Here
September
The Arc of Morris: September 27th
Walktoberfest: Stepping up for the Arc will be on September 27th with a rain date of September 28th.
Contact info: Laura Jennings Pitt jennings@arcmorris.org