Neuse River Bridge Run

Neuse River Bridge Run helps bridge gaps in our community!

Adults and children, lace up your running shoes for fun, exercise and a worthy cause! For over 16 years, the Neuse River Bridge Run has been uniting runners, walkers, volunteers and sponsors-- all to support seven important non-profits in our community.

The Neuse River Bridge Run is four separate events: 1/2 Marathon, 10K, 5K and the SuperKids Fun Run.  All 4 events for 2023 will be offered as either an in-person event or as a virtual run/walk. (Total of eight events)

The NRBR follows routes over bridges, through historic neighborhoods, and through downtown New Bern. In addition to the in-person races the NRBR will continue to offer all four options as virtual events for 2023.

Please note that only the in-person ½ Marathon and 10K events can offer the full bridges experience. Virtual runners will need to plot their own course that does not include runs over the Neuse River Bridge. The Neuse River Bridge is only safe for runners on our designated in-person date, April 29, 2023.

In-person 1/2 Marathon and the 10K courses feature a run over the large span of the Neuse River Bridge. All three courses, 5K-10K-1/2 marathon, include a run over the George Cunningham Bridge which spans the Trent River.  Then the courses wind through a circuit around and though historic New Bern. The races all finish on East Front Street in front of the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center. A celebration for all participants will be held in the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center (across the street from Union Point Park)  from 8:30 a.m. to Noon Food, soft drinks, and beer will be served and awards given to the top three male and female times in each age category.

The Neuse River Bridge Run (NRBR) began in 2004 and is a fundraising event to support six non-profit organizations in Eastern North Carolina who equally share the net revenue generated by the events. Please click on the link to beneficiaries to learn more information about each of the non-profit organizations that provide support, services and advocacy for our friends and neighbors throughout Craven and Jones Counties.  

Our mission is to serve the community by promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. The nonprofit organizations are committed to working together to manage this event that results in benefits to our communities.

IN PERSON

Race Dates: Saturday, April 28 & 29

SuperKids Fun Run

Race day is Friday, April 28, 2023. The fee for the SuperKids Fun Run is $20 per child. Start time: 5:30 p.m. 

Early Registration and Race Kit Pick-up

Thursday April 27th, 2023 - SuperKids Fun Run - Early Registration and Packet Pick-up for the Friday SuperKids Fun run will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Religious Community Services (RCS) located at 919 George St, New Bern, NC 28560

Click Here for complete details about race day for the SuperKids Fun Run

1/2 Marathon, 10K and 5K 

Saturday, April 29, 2023

All three of these events will be timed. A chip enabled bib is required and will distributed at Race-Kit Pick-up events at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center on Friday, April 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 29 from 6:00 a.m. to 15 minutes before the start of your race. 

Start Times:

• 7:00 a.m.  Half Marathon
• 7:30 a.m.  10K
• 8:15 a.m.  5K

Timing

Official timing for the Neuse River Bridge Run in-person events will be provided by our partners Run the East. Run the East is North Carolina’s leading provider of professional race timing and management services. Their focus is on providing registration, timing, and management services to area events, with a goal to provide both race directors and runners an excellent race experience. 

Fees

Early registration is through February 28th. Prices will increase on March 1, 2023.

In-Person Fees:
Half Marathon:  $65 / $75 (after Feb. 28)
10K:  $50 / $60 (after Feb. 28)
5K: $40 / $45 (after Feb. 28)
Kids Run: $20 (no increase)

The top three finishers in the in-person races, 5K, 10K & Half Marathon, in both male and female categories, will receive a Gold, Silver or Bronze medals. The top three finishers in the in-person races, in both male and female categories, in 13 different age groups will receive Gold, Silver or Bronze medals. In addition, all 1/2 marathon runners who complete the race will receive a finisher medal at the finish line.

Age Group Categories:
Age 14 and Under
Age 15 to 19
Age 20 to 24
Age 25 to 29
Age 30 to 34
Age 35 to 39
Age 40 to 44
Age 45 to 49
Age 50 to 54
Age 55 to 59
Age 60 to 64
Age 65 to 69
Age 70 and over

VIRTUAL EVENTS

Virtual Fees

Half Marathon:  $65 / $75 (after Feb. 28)
10K:  $50 / $60 (after Feb. 28)
5K: $40 / $45 (after Feb. 28)
Kids Run: $20 (no increase)

Date Range for the virtual events: Saturday to Saturday - April 15 to April 30, 2023.

Virtual Races will not be timed, but race results can be tracked and reported via the Smart phone app RaceJoy. Times can also be reported through the NRBR website. Place medals will not be awarded to virtual participants. 1/2 Marathon runners will receive the participation / finishers medal.

Virtual participants can choose to pick-up their race kit at New Bern Riverfront Convention Center on Friday, April 28th OR they may to choose to pay a shipping fee to have their T-shirt and race swag mailed to them at $7.95 per person. The first mail date for virtual race kits is April 14. The last day for registration and kit mailing for the virtual races will be April 24.

Post Race Celebration

A celebration for all in-person participants will be held in the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center (across the street from Union Point Park) from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Food, soft drinks, and beer will be served.  Awards distribution will begin at 10 a.m.