Will to Run Challenge
- Date Fri 18th September 2026 - Fri 25th September 2026
- Location Virtual Event
- Price Free - $54.00
- Races 4 races
- Distances 5km, 10km
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating week of running and community spirit at the seventh annual Will to Run Challenge, taking place from September 18th to September 25th, 2026, in Kennebunk, Maine! This year, the event features an exciting in-person 5K race on the scenic Eastern Trail, renowned for its flat, hard-packed surface that promises a fast and enjoyable run. Participants can also choose to join the virtual challenge, offering the flexibility to compete in a 5K, 10K, or even both, making it perfect for runners of all levels!
Kick off the festivities with packet pick-up on September 18th at Round Turn Distillery, followed by a series of fun activities including a local pub run and a chance to win fantastic swag packs filled with T-shirts, stickers, and more! Whether you’re racing in person or from the comfort of your own neighborhood, all proceeds from this vibrant event support scholarships and community outreach initiatives. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to run for a great cause and connect with fellow enthusiasts! Sign up early to secure your spot and ensure you receive your race packet on time.
Kick off the festivities with packet pick-up on September 18th at Round Turn Distillery, followed by a series of fun activities including a local pub run and a chance to win fantastic swag packs filled with T-shirts, stickers, and more! Whether you’re racing in person or from the comfort of your own neighborhood, all proceeds from this vibrant event support scholarships and community outreach initiatives. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to run for a great cause and connect with fellow enthusiasts! Sign up early to secure your spot and ensure you receive your race packet on time.
Organiser's Description
Please join A Running Passion for our seventh annual Will to Run Challenge! THIS YEAR WILL FEATURE AN IN-PERSON 5K EVENT IN ADDITION TO THE VIRTUAL RACE! Join us in person, or participate in your own virtual 5k, 10k, or both within the event week!
Prices and swag packs are as follows:
-5K in-person event: $35: **t-shirt guaranteed to registrations received by August 14th
-5K virtual: $30: t-shirt/ event bib
-10K virtual: $40: t-shirt/bag/sticker/ event bib
-15k virtual Combined Challenge (must submit separate 5k and 10k times): $50-t-shirt/bag/sticker/event bib/ A Running Passion socks)
-Kid's virtual Challenge: FREE- stickers, event bib, coloring pages, event check list
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH -
Will to Run 5k - Eastern Trail (Town of Kennebunk) *Final details TBD
The course will be an out and back route that will take runners through unique forests along the former Eastern Railroad bed. The trail is extremely flat, the surface is hard packed stone dust and will be a fast course! The trail crosses the Maine Turnpike in Kennebunk on a uniquely designed bridge that was opened in 2011. This is the only pedestrian bridge that crosses the Maine Turnpike.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH -
Will to Run Virtual Challenge begins
Virtual welcome on social media
Packet pick-up
Round Turn Distillery
5-6:30pm
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH -
Packet Pick-up
Waterhouse Field (Cross Country Shoe Jamboree)
10am-12pm
Banded Brewing
13-W, 32 Main St.
Biddeford, ME 04005
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND -
5:30-6:00pm- Local packet pick-up
6:00pm- A Running Passion Pub Run 5K, 10K loop available
$1 from each beer purchased from the group goes to A Running Passion
Birthday cookies in honor of Will to be provided at 7:30pm
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH -
Final day to send in completion times and photos. Times must be submitted by 11:59pm.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH -
Virtual closing ceremony to air on our social media outlets.
***If you live in Biddeford, Dayton, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, or Wells, your packet will be available for packet pick-up at one of the Biddeford locations. We do not mail local packets out. We will have pick-up available in Portland for those interested at Marathon Sports.
***Packets for our friends joining us from further away should receive their packets the week of the event. Please sign-up early to guarantee your packet and swag arrive on time!
Times can be submitted to cfrentzen@gmail.com anytime from
9/18/2026-9/25/2026
All proceeds from this event will go to A Running Passion's scholarship and community outreach initiatives.
https://arunningpassion.org/
Prices and swag packs are as follows:
-5K in-person event: $35: **t-shirt guaranteed to registrations received by August 14th
-5K virtual: $30: t-shirt/ event bib
-10K virtual: $40: t-shirt/bag/sticker/ event bib
-15k virtual Combined Challenge (must submit separate 5k and 10k times): $50-t-shirt/bag/sticker/event bib/ A Running Passion socks)
-Kid's virtual Challenge: FREE- stickers, event bib, coloring pages, event check list
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH -
Will to Run 5k - Eastern Trail (Town of Kennebunk) *Final details TBD
The course will be an out and back route that will take runners through unique forests along the former Eastern Railroad bed. The trail is extremely flat, the surface is hard packed stone dust and will be a fast course! The trail crosses the Maine Turnpike in Kennebunk on a uniquely designed bridge that was opened in 2011. This is the only pedestrian bridge that crosses the Maine Turnpike.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH -
Will to Run Virtual Challenge begins
Virtual welcome on social media
Packet pick-up
Round Turn Distillery
5-6:30pm
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH -
Packet Pick-up
Waterhouse Field (Cross Country Shoe Jamboree)
10am-12pm
Banded Brewing
13-W, 32 Main St.
Biddeford, ME 04005
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND -
5:30-6:00pm- Local packet pick-up
6:00pm- A Running Passion Pub Run 5K, 10K loop available
$1 from each beer purchased from the group goes to A Running Passion
Birthday cookies in honor of Will to be provided at 7:30pm
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH -
Final day to send in completion times and photos. Times must be submitted by 11:59pm.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH -
Virtual closing ceremony to air on our social media outlets.
***If you live in Biddeford, Dayton, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, or Wells, your packet will be available for packet pick-up at one of the Biddeford locations. We do not mail local packets out. We will have pick-up available in Portland for those interested at Marathon Sports.
***Packets for our friends joining us from further away should receive their packets the week of the event. Please sign-up early to guarantee your packet and swag arrive on time!
Times can be submitted to cfrentzen@gmail.com anytime from
9/18/2026-9/25/2026
All proceeds from this event will go to A Running Passion's scholarship and community outreach initiatives.
https://arunningpassion.org/
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Will to Run Challenge
