The running program began in 2012 as a Sabattus Rec Club activity. We have held Couch To 5K programs, kids' fun runs at the Town BBQs, our annual fun 5K events every summer, our annual Jingle Jogs before Christmas, and a few other fun running and social events.
We welcome all ages and abilities. We have seen people move from walking to jogging and sometimes into running and racing. We have regulars and we have some who join us every now and then. We have run in many different events, from one-mile races, to marathons and even ultra-marathons.
We celebrated our first 10 years in 2022 and looked ahead. We held three free running workouts for the Camp 44 summer kids, and free running clinics for middle and high school student-athletes at Oak Hill HS in late July.
We welcome any and all to join us whenever the mood strikes, or on a regular basis, to get the blood flowing and the heartbeat up. The running community is a fantastic, supportive bunch of people. Making new friends and running buddies is very easy with our group. Feel free to come and check us out, either on our Facebook page (Sabattus Rec Club Running Program) or in person. Our group runs/walks are held year-round, each and every Wednesday night at 6 p.m. in front of Mixer's Nightclub on Sabattus Rd., unless the weather is severe.
The Running Group collected toys again this year, and had our best toy drive yet. We collected about 30 toys, and again we donated them to Loaves and Fishes, the local food pantry/family assistance program of the Dominican Sisters. We hope to do this again in 2024. Maybe our donations will brighten Christmas a little more for some area kids. Our thanks to several of our group runners for the assistance and the contributions.
2023 Prediction 5K start
Our 10th year of Blackjack and Prediction 5Ks were held last summer. The proceeds from these events go toward Oak Hill HS scholarships, running program equipment, Rec Club insurance, and other costs, so it is quite important that we do our best to continue to hold them. We had good turnouts for each event, and were very lucky to have received many prize donations from generous local businesses. We're planning on holding them again in 2024 - the 11th year of the events . Keep checking this web page or our Facebook page for updates.
Gena and Wes working the 2021 Blackjack registration table
Our Club and our members have received many thanks and even some rewards in the past few years as we continued to find people to help out at races and events. Several of our regulars, and some recruits, have helped volunteer at races in the Lewiston-Auburn area. We especially want to thank those who came out to help out at our own 5K events!! We thank you so much. You are very helpful!! If you are interested in volunteering to help our Club, please check with Jon at 375-8105 or email running@sabattusrec.com. Thanks!!
2023 Save Your Breath 5K Sabattus Rec Team Award
Some of our group members run several races a year, and some run very few. We run all over the state, from Millinocket to Waterville to Bath, and south to Old Orchard and Kittery. (Some of our regulars have run, and some continue to run, in the Boston Marathon!) Some won individual awards in some local races, and we managed to do well in a few team events. We did very well at many races last year, with several individual Age Group awards. We won the team award at the Save Your Breath 5K in Augusta in October.
For more up-to-date info, running tips and videos, photos, race discussions, and members' posts, check out our Facebook page.
2023 Jingle Jog group
Our Wednesday Night Group Runs sometimes have themes, like the Christmas-time Jingle Jogs, or the Valentine's "Run For the Love of It" Night, or we may have a running shoe demo, or a nutrition offering before we head out. We've had bowling nights and Maine Mariners hockey games and plan to have more miniature golf outings, and possibly a Songo River Queen sail on Long Lake. Keep checking our Facebook page for fun times!
If you're new to running or jogging, we'll work with you, no matter what your plan calls for - walking, jogging, running, or competitive running. We have several experienced runners and competitive runners who can offer advice. The Group Runs are free, and open to any age/ability/level.
OUR ANNUAL JINGLE JOG REPORT!!! We had our largest group of festive runners/walkers spread some holiday cheer before Christmas in 2023. Our annual Jingle Jog was held on Saturday, Dec. 16. We met in front of Mixer's Nightclub on Sabattus Rd and headed out at 10 a.m. for some exercise in the village area. We had festive colors, ugly sweaters, some bells, reindeer antlers, and lights. Some visits to area friends were on the agenda for some, while others were simply out to make the holiday a little brighter. We enjoyed some refreshments after (courtesy of Dunkin' Donuts), and some gifts were handed out!
The running program began in 2012, as a program of the Sabattus Recreation Club.
The program is open to any and all ages/abilities, and the weekly runs and most other events are free.
We started with an 8-week Couch To 5k program in 2012.
We soon added free, weekly Group Runs on Wednesday nights, year round, at 6 p.m. at Mixer’s. Just show up and find someone to run with!
We’ve had continued success and growth with our two Summer Series 5k events, the Blackjack 5k, and the Prediction Run 5k. Both are fun events designed for the whole family, with little concern about speed and more emphasis on exercise and fun ways to win prizes!!
We’ve added Jingle Jogs (with lights and bells) around town before Christmas to help spread some cheer. We’ve also added Run For the Love of It around Valentine’s Day, and have created other “theme” nights.
We’ve held free Kids’ Runs at the annual Town Fun Day BBQ, and many of us support the local running community in many ways.
Proceeds raised at our two 5k events help support the Rec Club’s Oak Hill H.S. scholarship fund, and help pay for the Club’s insurance, web site, and other costs. We are also trying to raise funds to purchase road safety signs and cones for our events.
We are a very supportive, mixed-ages and mixed-abilities group who enjoy each other’s encouragement, helpful tips, ideas, and successes. Some run faster than others, and sometimes we even have walkers. Some like to run far, some like to run shorter distances. Some like to run competitively, and some just like to run. But we all like to try to get/stay healthy. If you would like to join us some Wednesday night, or to just check us out a little more, go to the Sabattus Rec web site (sabattusrec.com) and click on the running tab under teams, or find the Sabattus Rec Running Program on Facebook for more information.
Click on the link below to download the Running Program fair play policy.
These fine organizations make what we do possible. Please show your support to these amazing sponsors and thank them for their commitment to our organization. Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Contact one of our directors to learn more
about our sponsorship opportunities
Sabattus Main Street Market Dunkin' Donuts Hannaford Gridiron Restaurant Sabattus Disc Golf Applebee's
TD Bank Roy's Mini Golf and Driving Range
Selco Plumbing and Heating Supplies Sabattus Subway
Fielder's Choice Ice Cream Longhorn Steakhouse Devil's Grove Disc Golf Lamey-Wellehan Shoes
Sabattus Regional Credit Union The 99 Restaurant
Shaw's Emerson Chevrolet