Will to Run Challenge
Will to Run Challenge is a running race on September 18–25, 2026 in Kennebunk, ME, with an entry fee of $35.
- Date
- September 18–25, 2026 (48 days to go)
- Location
- 177 Alewive Road, Kennebunk, ME
- Price
- $35
- Sport
- Running
From the Organizer
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 Combined Challenge (must submit separate 5k and 10k times): $50-t-shirt/bag/sticker/event bib/ A Running Passion item)
*The Challenge 5K can be completed in-person or virtually
-Kid's virtual Challenge: FREE- stickers, event bib, coloring pages, event check list
Want to gather a group of your friends to run with you? Get a team together and receive a discount on your registration!
Teams of four or more - each runner will receive a $10 discount - Enter promo code "TEAM4" at checkout.
Teams of eight or more - each runner will receive a $15 discount - Enter promo code "TEAM8" at checkout.
Legacy donors receive a FREE registration. Enter promo code "LEGACY" at checkout.
NEW this year! We will be offering an in-person 5K.
Friday, September 18th @6:00 PM -> 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.
Packet Pick-up
***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 for the virtual race(s) 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/
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
69°
Typical Low
48°
Chance of Rain
34%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Kennebunkport, 4 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Kennebunk, ME
City Elevation
44 ft
Nearest Airport
PWM
Portland International Jetport · 21 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Will to Run Challenge, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
48
Days to train
- Race
- Will to Run Challenge
- Date
- September 18–25, 2026
- Location
- 177 Alewive Road, Kennebunk, ME
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From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
More Running races near Kennebunk, ME
Blue Lobster 4-Miler
4 Mile · From $34 · 177 Alewive Rd
Less than a mile away
Bentley's Saloon Shake it like a lost Tail 5k
5K · From $40 · 1601 Portland Road
3 miles away
Wicked 5K & 10K
1K · 5K · From $15 · FEDERAL JACK'S RESTAURANT AND BREWPUB
Less than a mile away
Cancer Can Suck A Cactus 5K/10K
1K · 5K · 10K · From $20 · 26 Golf Club Dr
Less than a mile away
Plan your trip
Make it a Racecation
Coming from out of town? There's more to Kennebunk than race day. We'll help you line up nearby lodging, flights, a rental car, and things to do so you can make the most of your racecation.
Plan your trip to KennebunkFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Will to Run Challenge?+
When and where is the Will to Run Challenge?+
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Will to Run Challenge
Sep 18, 2026