Runners and walkers from Springfield and neighboring towns are getting ready for the Bridges 5K 2026, a Race To End Homelessness scheduled for Sunday, October 18, 2026. According to the race page published by Bridges, the event starts at The Village Green in downtown Summit, NJ, with a 5K run or walk through Summit and a fun run for children.
The race page states that all proceeds support Bridges' efforts to prevent and end homelessness in Essex, Union and Somerset counties. For many participants, a community 5K is a first race, or a return to running after a summer break, and the weeks before an event are often when new foot and ankle aches appear.
Essex Union Podiatry, which sees patients at 500 Morris Ave Suite 203 in Springfield, treats many of the problems that show up when mileage climbs. According to the practice, your feet absorb three times your body weight with every stride, and metatarsal stress fractures account for a significant share of overuse injuries in runners and court-sport athletes.
Heel pain is another common complaint. The practice notes that repetitive impact from running or jumping can inflame the plantar fascia at its calcaneal insertion, and that runners, basketball players and court sport athletes face elevated plantar fasciitis risk. The hallmark sign is pain with the first steps of the day.
Most cases do not need surgery. Essex Union Podiatry treats plantar fasciitis with a conservative-first approach, and the practice reports that most patients respond to a combination of stretching protocols, custom orthotics and targeted therapies within six to twelve weeks. Fewer than five percent of plantar fasciitis cases require surgery, according to the practice.
For athletes, the team evaluates gait mechanics, training load and footwear to identify the root cause of an injury rather than treating symptoms in isolation.
"A local 5K is a great reason to get moving, and it is also the point where a lot of people first notice heel pain or a sore spot on top of the foot. Most of these problems are easier to treat when they are caught early, so we encourage anyone training for the Bridges 5K to pay attention to pain that lingers after a run or shows up with the first steps in the morning," said a spokesperson for Essex Union Podiatry.
Podiatrist Checklist
- Build up gradually in the final week instead of adding long runs right before race day.
- Wear shoes you have already trained in; race morning is not the time for a new pair.
- Notice heel pain that is worst with the first steps out of bed, a common sign of plantar fasciitis.
- Treat pain on the top of the foot that worsens during a run as a reason to stop and have it checked, since stress fractures are a common overuse injury.
- Stretch the calves and arches after training, and rest a sore foot rather than running through the pain.
Schedule an Appointment
Patients in Springfield and nearby towns can learn more about seeing a podiatrist at Essex Union Podiatry, 500 Morris Ave Suite 203, or call (862) 660-7739.
About Essex Union Podiatry
Essex Union Podiatry is a podiatry practice founded in 1995 in Rahway, New Jersey, with four locations in Rahway, Caldwell, Springfield and Jersey City. Its Springfield location is at 500 Morris Ave Suite 203. The practice treats foot and ankle conditions with both surgical and noninvasive care, including sports injuries, plantar fasciitis, bunions, ingrown toenails, diabetic foot care and pediatric podiatry. Its podiatrists are double board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. More information is available at essexunionpodiatry.com.