5K, 1 MILE & KIDS RUN w/FARMER’S MARKET & FOOD TRUCKS
SUNDAY AUGUST 30th,2026
At the Fairgrounds in Cumberland, Maine to support Maine Farms!
In partnership with Valor Track Club & Cumberland Farmer’s Club
GIDDY UP!
GIDDY UP!
The EVENT
A day at the races! 5 races, a farmer’s market, dj and so much fun. Come early to cheer on elite runners in a blazing fast mile on the horse track, enjoy a spirited kids run, check out the farmer’s market. This is so much more than just a race. You are welcome to come walk the 5K, cheer on runners and find delicious locally sourced treats. And if you are excited to lace up your sneakers, this is a unique opportunity to compete. Racehorses have been giving their all on the Cumberland track for 154 years. Imagine the finish you’ll have tapping into their spirited, courageous and determined energy! We are getting creative with the details to bring the maximum joy and impact to this event.
The PURPOSE
Run fully by volunteers, you can feel uplifted knowing EVERY penny raised goes to empowering Maine farms and Maine kids. Your race registrations will be donated to: MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association), the Maine 4H Foundation & Valor Youth Program. Farmers attending the market will have an opportunity to meet new customers and sell their products.
The Location
Is there anything that says Community more than a County Fairground? For over a century, the Cumberland Farmer’s Club has been serving as an ambassador for agriculture and making memories at the fairgrounds. So much good energy stored up! And we are going to use it as jetfuel for a super fun day!
The FUN EXTRAS
We are excited to make YEAR 2 even better! After running, walking or cheering on your speedy friends and family, kick back and enjoy a good time at the fairgrounds. Local farms are coming together to set up the most spirited farmers market around! Come ready to shop for the week’s groceries, enjoy food trucks, snack on tasty local Maine treats and talk to farmers about their work. There will be live music, a few farm animals to meet and all kinds of treats to make the day memorable.
Registration options
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This one is for serious runners. Standards: Mens’ under 4:45 and women 5:45
Capped at 20.
Twice around horse track.
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A fast run for kids with exciting crowd support. Twice around the Cumberland Fairgrounds Racetrack! Channel the fierce determination of the horses who run here and go for a PR!
**Walkers are encouraged to sign up for 5k. (It is fine to do the first lap and then exit to market if 3.1 miles feels too long to walk.)
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A 1 mile run for adults with exciting crowd support. Twice around the Cumberland Fairgrounds Racetrack! Channel the fierce determination of the horses who run here and go for a PR! Sign up for this race AND 5K for chance to be honored with an epic prize.
**Walkers are encouraged to sign up for 5k. (It is fine to do the first lap and then exit to market if 3.1 miles feels too long to walk.)
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A 400 yard gallop in front of the grandstands. Fun run for little kids with huge crowd support. Half a racetrack. Everyone’s a winner. FREE! Please register for planning purposes.
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This cross-country race takes you all around Cumberland’s historic fairgrounds. You’ll run/walk through a farmer’s market, down dirt roads, through the woods and past livestock barns. The three loop course ends on the horse racetrack for an exciting finish! You’ll see racehorse hoof marks in the dirt your whole way! (If the 5K feels too far and you are ready for lunch, peel off after first lap at the market.)
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If you love Maine farms and want to contribute, but can’t make the trip to Cumberland, you can run like a racehorse from anywhere. Share your pictures on social media. Let’s see how many towns in Maine and states we can get involved that day!
Did you know you can sign up as part of a team? Gather a work group, sports team or nonprofit crew and encourage each other to show up on race day!Look for team option on Run Sign Up or Create your own!
Please note: Only parking on August 30th will be in field across from main entrance off Blanchard road! For runner safety, no dogs on race course. Dogs on leash are welcome to observe, but please do not bring them near 4h animals in the market area.
Sign Up
Sign Up
t-shirt
Thanks for bringing your Giddy Up to our second annual race and supporting Maine Farms. Limited edition t-shirt available for purchase. They will be available for pickup at race registration. We kept registration low and skipped free t-shirt so all registration profit can go to nonprofits. But we are hoping many of you will buy a $12. shirt and wear it proudly on race day. We’ll have some extras for sale on race day. Free shirts for course volunteers! Link to Volunteer sign up on Run Sign Up.
donation recipients *
donation recipients *
Meet the Team