Peace Ridge Sanctuary’s 5k Run for the Animals & 1 Mile Fun Walk

Maine Endurance Sports Alliance (MESA) a 501(c)3 nonprofit is proud to continue the great running history established by The Great Augusta Marathon & Half with the introduction of the AUGUSTA MARATHON – Full/Half/10K/5K – Running Festival on Sunday July 12, 2026 starting at 7 am at Elk Lodge, 397 Civic Center Dr, Augusta Maine allowing more participants of all abilities to cross the finish line. This event is USATF sanctioned, and Boston certified (Marathon ME25002JK). The full marathon will run from 397 Civic Center Dr out Route 11/27 to Belgrade Lakes Maine and back to the beginging. (course maps can be found on our website) or The Great Augusta Marathon & Half 2025 · Ride with GPS.

We have already secured Pine Tree Racing Services to be the official timer for the race. There is NO TIME LIMIT - we want you to reach your goal to complete the race.

For participants who have "BOTTLES", we will accept "BOTTLES" at the operations tent at the starting line until 6:00 am. These will be on a special table at each water station for the participants to pick up.

We will have a vendor area at the finish line for participants and their guests. There is plenty of nearby parking, affordable lodging and dining to make this a destination for the whole family.

More information can be found on our website www.mesa-maine.org or on our Facebook page Maine Endurance Sports Alliance. Packet pickup will be July 11, 2026, from 3-6 pm at THE MAINE EXPERIENCE close to the starting line.

In 2026, we are once again offering a special medal "Run the Highlands" for participants who complete both the Bangor Marathon and the Lincoln Marathon. Participants can run a combination of a full and half, 2 full or 2 half races to qualify.

NEW IN 2026, we are offering a special medal "Vacationland Triple Crown" for participants who complete 3 of our 4 races in 2026. Participants can run a combination of a full and half, 3 full or 3 half races to qualify.

Run with the Sturgeons who migrate in the Kennebec River through Hallowell

each year in late Spring & early Summer, sometimes called “living dinosaurs.”

July 18 th , 2026

Vaughn Field Way

Hallowell, Maine

OHD 5K Road Race

Race start: 7:30 AM

Registration Guidelines

*Pre-registration is required to participate in this event.

Registration must be made prior to midnight on Tuesday, July 14.

$30.00 registration fee prior to Friday, July 3 rd . $40.00 July 4 th through July 15 th .

Registration closes at midnight on Tuesday July 14 th . Walk in registration will not be

available.

*This is a running race event only, walking the course is prohibited.

Following the start of the 5K will be a Fun Kids race and activities also at Vaughn Field

OHD Fun Kids Race (Ages 10 and under) 1000 meter run around Vaughn Field.

Start time: 8:15 AM

$7.00 registration fee (accepted through 7/14/26 until 11:59 PM Eastern Time)

Fun awards will be given to children in the following age brackets: 3-5, 6-8 and 9-10.

Can’t run this year but would like to participate in some way?

Would you like to show support for family members and friends that may be participating?

Donations are being accepted until July 14th on the race registration site.

 The 5K starts & finishes at Vaughn Field, a short walk from the OHD parade and

all downtown activities and celebrations. You may even spot a Sturgeon in action!

 T-Shirts will only be available to those who register by July 3 rd .

 Prizes will be awarded for Overall winners and age group winners in Female,

Male and Non-Binary Divisions.

Please join us by registering to run, to join the Kids Race donate in support of friends &

family participating or just to help support the OHD 5K future success.

"A Harbor Fest Tradition"

Scenic, fairly flat course that includes a few gentle hills, shaded neighborhoods, a stretch along the water front, and the Armistice Foot Bridge across the Passagassawaukeag River; one water stop. Everyone is welcome to join from those looking to run a personal best to families wanting to share a healthy run/walk. Top female and male runners receive 10 lbs of live lobsters (“bugs”).

Sponsorship of the Bug Run is provided by the First National Bank, Belfast, Maine.

This event is one of five events in the RunBelfast 2026 race series held in Belfast, Maine (https://www.runbelfast.org/). Events include: Paces for PAWS 5K - Jun 13; Lions Kilted Canter 5K - Jul 18; Rotary Bug Run 5K - August 8; WCHV Hospice Volunteers 5K - Sep 12; and Lions Ghostly Gallop - October 24.

RunBelfast is grateful for the support provided by City of Belfast Parks and Recreation, City of Belfast Police, and City of Belfast Fire and Ambulance

Event details and schedule

When: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 8:00 a.m. start

Where: Parking lot at Union Street and Miller Street, Belfast, Maine

Race-day registration and Packet pick-up: Race day between 07:00-07:45 a.m.

Fee: $25 through August 5; $30 race day; $25 for active duty military; souvenir t-shirts are guaranteed for all runners who register by July 24; after that date, t-shirts are available while supplies last

Awards: Overall female and male receive 10 lbs of live lobsters (“bugs”); then top M & F in each of 9 age groups (pre-teen thru 80+) receive medals

PARKING

The following parking restrictions will be in place, starting at 7 AM on Saturday, August 16th:

• Commercial Street will be closed at Union Street, and there will not be parking on Commercial Street throughout the weekend.

• The lower Belfast Common parking lot at Front St. and Commercial Street is for event volunteers ONLY.

• Belfast Boathouse parking lot will be for vendors and H/C parking only (requires a placard or plate).

• Front Street between Federal & Spring Streets and Federal Street at Main Street.

Racers are directed FIRST to city parking lots (Washington Street, Beaver Street) and then single, parallel parking (right side, aka downhill) on Front Street, and other additional city/downtown streets. Runners should not be parking in the neighborhoods if at all possible. They should use the downtown street parking and parking lots.

Maine Endurance Sports Alliance (MESA) a 501(c)3 nonprofit is proud to continue the great running history established by The Great Waterville Marathon & Half with the introduction of the WATERVILLE MARATHON – Full/Half/10K/5K – Running Festival on Sunday August 9, 2026 starting at 7:00 am at Thomas College in Waterville Maine allowing more participants of all abilities to cross the finish line. This event is in the process of being USATF sanctioned, and Boston certified. All courses start at Thomas College, travel along Rt 104 into the beautiful countryside of Waterville, Sydney and Oakland Maine and back to Thomas College. (course maps can be found on our website).

We have already secured Pine Tree Racing Services to be the official timer for the race. There is NO TIME LIMIT - we want you to reach your goal to complete the race.

For participants who have "BOTTLES", we will accept "BOTTLES" at the operations tent at the starting line until 6:00 am. These will be on a special table at each water station for the participants to pick up.

We will have a vendor area at the finish line for participants and their guests. There is plenty of nearby parking, affordable lodging and dining to make this a destination for the whole family.

More information can be found on our website www.mesa-maine.org or on our Facebook page Maine Endurance Sports Alliance. Packet pickup will be August 8, 2026, from 3-6 pm at THE MAINE EXPERIENCE close to the starting line.

In 2026, we are once again offering a special medal "Run the Highlands" for participants who complete both the Bangor Marathon and the Lincoln Marathon. Participants can run a combination of a full and half, 2 full or 2 half races to qualify.

NEW IN 2026, we are offering a special medal "Vacationland Triple Crown" for participants who complete 3 of our 4 races in 2026. Participants can run a combination of a full and half, 3 full or 3 half races to qualify.

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