Monk Run 2025: Faith, Fellowship, and Fitness on the Hill

The morning of September 27, 2025, dawned bright and clear over St. Benedict’s Abbey as more than 300 runners and walkers gathered for the annual Monk Run 5K, held during Benedictine College’s Family Weekend. The event, now in its twelfth year, brought together students, alumni, families, and friends of the Abbey for a day that blended physical activity, fellowship, and faith in a uniquely Benedictine way.

This year marked a milestone for the Monk Run—the largest turnout in the event’s history, with more than three hundred runners and walkers. Participants of all ages filled the Abbey Drive and surrounding trails, winding through the scenic hills and wooded paths of the monastic grounds, with the course passing by every tabernacle housed on Abbey property. Competitive runners took off in three categories—men’s, women’s, and youth (ages 14 and under)—while others enjoyed the gentler pace of the one-mile walk, which offered time for reflection and conversation amid the tranquil beauty of the Abbey’s landscape.

The weather could not have been more perfect—cool morning air, golden sunlight, and the first hints of autumn color in the trees. A few of our monks laced up their shoes and joined the runners on the course, while others lined the route with cheers, encouragement, and laughter. The serenity of our Return to Nazareth Prayer Garden was pierced by applause as runners crossed the finish line near the courtyard, where refreshments, fellowship, and smiles abounded.

This year’s event was made even more special through the generous support of LIFE Runners, a nationwide running club dedicated to bearing witness to the dignity of human life from conception to natural death. LIFE Runners helped promote the event through their network of local chapters and provided runners with pro-life themed gear to complement the signature Monk Run tee-shirts produced each year for participants. Their joyful witness and partnership embody the same spirit of hope and community that defines both our Abbey and this event.

The Monk Run is more than a race—it is an opportunity for our Benedictine family to gather, pray, and celebrate the gift of life and health. Parents and children ran side by side, students jogged past monks in habits, and laughter echoed across the campus as finishers were greeted by name. As one participant remarked, “There’s something special about running here—it’s peaceful, joyful, and prayerful all at once.”

Thanks to the generosity of participants and donors, this year’s race also had a tangible impact beyond the finish line. The event raised $7,951 from more than 120 gifts, with proceeds designated for the Good Samaritan Fund. These funds will contribute to the continued development of the Abbey’s north property, specifically helping to build playgrounds for the early childhood daycare facility planned for opening in 2026. In this way, the joy of the day will carry forward into future years, serving the youngest members of our wider community.

The monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey are deeply grateful to everyone who joined, volunteered, or supported this year’s Monk Run—especially the Maur Hill – Mount Academy Cross Country team who helped with set up and check in for the event. We look forward to seeing everyone again next fall for another day of prayer, community, and joyful steps taken together toward God.