Bicentennial Distance Challenge 2020

In 1820, Maine became a state. 1820 was also the year that Kennebunk and Wells split to become separate towns - so we're celebrating dual 200th Birthdays!

Take part in this fun Bicentennial Distance Challenge Virtual Race by running, walking, or biking 7 miles on the course of your choice.

Why 7 miles?

Before 1820, Kennebunk was a part of Wells. Communities were then designated as parishes, and the church or parish was an essential meeting place.

At the time, people in the Kennebunk district of Wells had to travel 7 miles—usually by foot—to the First Congregational Parish of Wells (now home to the Historical Society of Wells & Ogunquit, near the CVS/Hannaford in Wells) in order to attend meetings. In 1750, these residents founded their own parish, which they called the Second Congregational Parish of Wells. It was located at Kennebunk Landing, along the Kennebunk River. Reverend Daniel Little was its first minister. The parish moved to what is now the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church on Main Street, on land donated by Joseph Storer, in 1772.

By the time 1820 came around, the two parishes - in Wells and Kennebunk - sat seven miles away from each other, and that's where members of the Second Congregational Parish of Wells (now the Unitarian Universalist Church) voted to separate and become its own town.

Get active and support history! The race kicks off on June 24, 2020, through October 31, 2020 [DEADLINE EXTENDED!], run your race at your pace and on a course of your choice - as long as it's seven miles! - and send us your finishing time. If you choose to run or bike, use a tracking method of your choice. If you are walking, feel free to split up those miles to complete them over a period of time that is healthy for you.

The Museum will have packet ready for you to pick up (or, we can mail it to you - please make sure your contact information is correct), which includes your commemorative runner's bib, challenge/race information, and a short history of Kennebunk's Bicentennial. Packets will be ready for pickup/mail by June 15.

PLEASE NOTE: When signing up via this website, when it asks for your "signature," please type your name as it's written (above the text box).

Upon completion of the race in October, every participant over age 16 will receive a participant medal. We're hoping to have a "Finish Line" celebration for everyone to attend in October 2020 (depending on COVID-19).

Here is the best part!
Due to COVID-19, many cultural organizations in our surrounding towns have been impacted by lower attendance, reduced support, and essential fundraising events that have had to be postponed or canceled. In the spirit of our tight-knit nonprofit community, the Brick Store Museum pledges to share revenue from this virtual race with our cultural nonprofit neighbors. If your organization would like to join this cause, please email Cynthia Walker at cwalker@brickstoremuseum.org.

Presented by our generous sponsor: Southern Maine Health Care

With special thanks to the Museum's Marquee Sponsor: Kennebunk Savings