This 5K is normally run in May but in 2017 the original race was rained out and moved into June. The good part was, it allowed me to run it with the date change. The race starts and ends at Caldwell University and Mount St. Dominic Academy (they share a campus). Plenty of parking is available and bathrooms are in the Mount St. Dominic gymnasium which is nice.

The starting line is right outside the athletic fields and you have a decent length straightaway before the first left turn which is nice to help let the runners break up a little. After you make a left, you run up a small incline until you make a right onto Fells Road. You get to pick up speed here as you are on Fells Rd. for a good amount and it's a decline for the most part. You pass by some beautiful homes in Essex Fells. The scenery is fabulous. Fells eventually turns into Welsh where you start going up an incline until you turn right onto Rensellear Road. That is where you hit a steep incline that bends. It levels out for a little bit and then you continue up a decent incline for the majority of the road. Once you hit near the end of Rensellear you hit a decline then make a right onto Ryerson. From there its basically flat until you pass the starting line and you hit one of the biggest downhills you will see in a 5K until you hit Bloomfield Avenue. Then it's flat until you turn left into the Caldwell University entrance and it's about 50 yards to the finish. So, you basically get a decline first 1/3 of the race, all incline for the next 1/3 of the race and flat with a big downhill and then flat for the last 1/3 of the race. The middle will beat you up a bit but the course is different and I liked the challenge.

There is water and food available for runners after the race. Some local companies have tents set up with giveaways and information including a bank, PT, and even a massage table. They give awards away for top finishers and age groups. All proceeds from the raise go towards scholarships for young ladies going to Mt. St. Dominic. Definitely a great cause to support. It's really a beautiful event and one I look forward to running again.