This year, at the 40th annual New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning, Trinity Solar will provide participants with a unique opportunity to run through the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. The 13th annual “Trinity Solar Running with the Balloons 5K” race will take place at 8 a.m. July 30 at Solberg Airport in Readington.
Featuring up to 100 hot air balloons taking flight twice each day over the three-day event, the festival also offers live concerts, a nighttime hot air balloon glow, affordable family entertainment and attractions, comfort food and more.
“We’re excited to have Trinity Solar launch our biggest Health & Wellness Day ever, as we celebrate 40 years of the magic of ballooning and creating magical experiences for our guests,” festival Executive Producer Howard Freeman said. “Everything about this 5K is distinctive and will be thoroughly enjoyed, whether you’re a hardcore runner or family and friends just out for a fun run and a good time together.”
“We are thrilled to be part of the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning, which has been a marquee New Jersey attraction for decades. As a family-owned business headquartered in New Jersey, Trinity Solar is excited to interact with families and members of the community at this very special event. We think this is a great opportunity to get to know people, and hope they get to know a little bit about the benefits of solar energy while enjoying the unique experiences of the festival,” Christopher Garner, corporate vice president of Trinity Solar, said.
Combining the elements of cross-country with a traditional road race, this flat, fast, low-impact course features a mix of surfaces. Runners start on a grass field near the festival’s Family Fun Center and race past the balloon launch field while Sunday morning’s mass hot air balloon ascension takes place. The course takes them along different surfaces, including a dirt road around Solberg Airport and finishes on pavement in the heart of the festival.
The USATF-sanctioned race is a must on every runner’s summer racing calendar and has been featured on the nationally syndicated show, “RUNNING,” televised on the YES Network and FOX Sports regional networks across the country.
A signature feature of the Trinity Solar Running with the Balloons 5K race is its unique start. Anyone can use an air horn or starter’s pistol. This year, the official race starter will be a member of the Fearless Flores Family Thrill Show perched 55 feet above the ground on the awe-inspiring “Sway Pole.”
The experience doesn’t end there: the top male and female winners each receive a free ride in a hot air balloon.
All runners’ entries include free all-day admission into the festival, free parking with advanced registration, lawn seating to Sunday afternoon’s concert by Fitz and the Tantrums and access to the Sunday morning and evening scheduled mass hot air balloon ascensions. The Top 3 overall male and female finishers each receive noncash prizes.
Registration for the 5K race is now open here.
In keeping with the festival’s belief in “doing well by doing good,” a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization.
