How to Get to Newport for the NYRR Newport Fiesta 5K

We're just less than two weeks away from the first-ever NYRR Newport Fiesta 5K, taking place on May 4 in Jersey City, NJ.

Some of you might be thinking: N...J? As in New Jersey? But this is New York Road Runners...

Fear not. NYRR is not changing its name to NJRR anytime soon, but we would like to present you with some information on how to get to this race—whether you're coming from the five boroughs or if you're a local Garden Stater.

And if you're not signed up yet, then hopefully this post will convince you that traveling to the other side of the Hudson is worth the trip.

One final note before we get started: Once you have registered, be sure to pick up your race number and your souvenir T-shirt at the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, so that you can save yourself time on race day.

And now, on to the transportation info!

Jump to a section:
PATH | NJ Transit | Light Rail | Ferry | Car

Taking the PATH

So there are actually three kinds of train you can take to Newport. The first, and probably most common one, is the PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson), a rail system linking Essex and Hudson counties in New Jersey to New York City.

Because the race will take place on a Saturday, PATH will be operating on a weekend schedule. This means:

• Service from Midtown Manhattan (33rd Street) to Journal Square in Jersey City runs through Hoboken. Trains will stay in Hoboken station briefly before turning toward Newport.
• The World Trade Center station will be closed, but PATH service between the World Trade Center and Exchange Place in Jersey City will be replaced by ferry service between Brookfield Place and Harborside.

The Newport PATH station is roughly a quarter-mile to the NYRR Newport Fiesta 5K start and finish area, but if you'd like to add some distance to your pre-race warm-up, you can get off one stop earlier at Hoboken, which is approximately three-quarters of a mile to the start and finish area.

The PATH system does accept MetroCards, but an unlimited MetroCard will not work on its own. Remember to add cash value to your MetroCard before traveling to the race. (A one-way fare is $2.75.)

Taking NJ Transit Rail

If you're coming from other parts of New Jersey, you can:

• Take a train with direct service to Hoboken
• Take a train to Newark Penn Station and transfer to the PATH

As mentioned above, the Hoboken train terminal is less than a mile from the NYRR Newport Fiesta 5K start and finish area. For PATH service from Newark Penn Station, you can transfer at Journal Square for service to Newport, or you can stay on the train until Exchange Place and run along the Hudson River waterfront to Newport (about 1 1/4-mile to the start).

Taking the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail

Along the NYRR Newport Fiesta 5K course, you may see rail tracks in the roadway. These tracks serve the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail, a streetcar service that runs through Hudson County. The Newport light rail station is located just south of the Newport PATH station, about one-third of a mile from the NYRR Newport Fiesta 5K start and finish area.

If you plan to take the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail, be sure to validate your ticket on the station platform before boarding.

Taking the Ferry

With Newport located on the Hudson River waterfront, another option for getting to the race is by boat! As mentioned earlier, ferries will replace PATH train service between the World Trade Center and Exchange Place. Also near Exchange Place is the Paulus Hook NY Waterway ferry terminal, with service from Midtown / West 39th Street, Brookfield Place / Battery Park City, and Pier 11 / Wall Street.

And, as it's becoming sort of a theme of this post, ferry service is also available to Hoboken, operating on the same Midtown, Brookfield Place, and Pier 11 lines as offered at Paulus Hook.

Taking a Car or Car Service

Or perhaps, you're that rare breed of New Yorker who owns a car. In that case, prepare yourself for a trip through the Lincoln Tunnel, the Holland Tunnel, or across the GWB!

Parking will be available in Jersey City at the following locations:

• Newport North Garage (entrance on 60 Mall Drive East, across from Sears)
• Newport South Garage (entrance on 2 Mall Drive East, across from JCPenney)

At the rates listed below (the same rates apply for both garages):

• Up to 2 hours: $5.00
• Up to 3 hours: $10.00
• Up to 4 hours: $14.00
• Up to 24 hours: $25.00

Please note that payment must be made upon exiting at either the exit lane or an automated machine. NYRR neither controls nor operates these parking lots and garages and is not responsible for setting rates, refund policies, rules, and/or procedures.Plan to arrive no later than 3:30 p.m. to ensure enough time to get to your corral. 

If you're planning to take a car service instead, please use Marin Boulevard and Newport Parkway or Marin Boulevard and 14th Street as your drop-off location to avoid road closures.

So now that you know how to get there—by land or by sea—we're looking forward to seeing you in Jersey City on May 4 for the all-new NYRR Newport Fiesta 5K!

This post is presented by:

The #NYRRNewport5K is pleased to have the continued support of @NewportNJApts. Newport Apartments is proud to host the annual spring run for our 16th year! Enjoy the most beautiful run in the tri-state area with cool breezes off the waterfront paths, incredible views of Manhattan, and tree-lined avenues that are home to over 15,000 residents in our 14 high-rise rental buildings.