Will to Run Challenge
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:
- 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
Event Schedule:
- Friday, September 18th - Will to Run 5k - Eastern Trail (Town of Kennebunk)
- 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
- 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.
Packet Pick-up Details:
If you live in Biddeford, Dayton, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, or Wells, your packet will be available for 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 [email protected] 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/