SAK Strong 5K Run/Walk

Join us on Sunday, September 20th in West Peabody at Lt. Ross Park (CyTenny) for the Inaugural SAK Strong 5K run/walk, 1 mile walk and youth FUN run in memory of Chris Sakelakos.
Chris passed away on September 16, 2025 after a long and valiantly fought battle against Osteosarcoma.
We invite you, your family, and friends to participate in the race or walk followed by an after party with live music by Beach Nights, food trucks, raffles, lawn games, beer provided by East Regiment Beer Company, and more. 100% of proceeds will be allocated to the SAK Strong Foundation. 

Minimal parking will be available at the race venue. First come, first serve. 
Overflow parking will be a short walk down the street at 21 Johnson Street (Kiley Brothers Memorial School) 
More details concerning parking will be released in early September. 

Serves as a central hub for the Peabody Independence Greenway. The park features a large fenced-in playground, baseball and soccer fields, and picnic tables. 

Sunday, September 20, 2026 (No Rain Date)

Both the 5K and 1 mile course are setup as an out and back, a mix of road and hard packed trail along the Peabody Independence Greenway, with a shared start and finish at Lt. Ross Park. 

5K Course - Click here to view the map

1M Course - Coming soon

Youth Fun Run - 1/4 mile run and 400 meter coming soon

The 5K course will offer 1 opportunity for water. 

Pre-race packet pickup will be offered on 9/19 in the parking lot at Champions Pub from 3-6pm. 
(We encourage you to pick up for your friends - No ID's necessary)

Race day pickup and registration will be open at 8:30AM at race site. 

8:30AM Pre-Reg/Race Day Reg Opens
9:45AM Youth Fun Run 
10AM Start of the 5K run/walk and 1 mile walk
10:15AM Post race party starts
11AM Beach Nights Live Band Starts
11:15AM Award Ceremony
1PM Event Ends 

Custom, short sleeve, unisex performance shirts will be guaranteed to participants pre-registered by September 6th. There will be no size switches until post race. No shirts will be mailed out. 

Your run/walk entry also includes 1 complimentary beverage ticket. (21+) 

There will be a DJ keeping us entertained and energized all morning!! At 11AM, Beach Nights, a live band Chris loved will start and play till 1 o'clock! Run/walk participants get a complimentary access to this post race party. Runners will be able to purchase additional party passes through their online registration. In addition, party goers can purchase their passes in advance for a discounted fee of $15. 

At least two food trucks will be on site, East Regiment Beer Company and others will be setup in the beer garden and a variety of community vendors will be setup selling and sampling! 

5K Awards
Top 3 Overall M/F 
Top 3 M/F in each age group: Under 19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, 90+
Top Non-Binary
**No double dipping

Team Incentive
Top 3 largest teams to pre-register by 9/18 will receive the opportunity to setup a team tent on event day.

There will be an award ceremony on stage at 11:15AM after the band kicks off. 

Bib chip timing provided by our race series partner Bay State Race Services. 
Questions about timing? Email timers@verizon.net 

Races are held in rain or shine unless we determine that race conditions are dangerous. This will be based on a prudent decision made on race weekend. If the race needs to be cancelled there will be no refunds, but we will do our best to establish a postponement date. That being said, if a postponement date cannot be reached with all involved parties, each athlete must accept any such risk of their entry fee paid including other amenities paid for such as t-shirts, insurance, and online administrative fees. All fees collected are used to develop and produce the event, including all race supplies, staffing, and administration.