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30th Annual YWCA Race Against Racism and Diversity Day

January 17, 2026
RaceJoy Ready
Virtual Event from 9 AM January 3 to midnite January 18
Traditional 5K Event January 17 at 9 AM
Countdown to Race Day

Events

5K Open

Price: $43.65
incl. $3.65 Fee
($33.05: Ages 1 - 16)
Date Range: 01/17
Time: 9:00AM EST 11:00AM EST
Price increases after January 16, 2026 at 11:59pm EST
Open to ages 14 - 100.

1-Mile Walk

Price: $43.65
incl. $3.65 Fee
($33.05: Ages 1 - 16)
Date Range: 01/17
Time: 9:45AM EST 10:00AM EST
Price increases after January 16, 2026 at 11:59pm EST

Kids Fun Run

Price: $27.75
incl. $2.75 Fee
Date Range: 01/17
Time: 10:15AM EST 10:30AM EST
Price increases after January 16, 2026 at 11:59pm EST
Open to ages 17 and under.

Sleeping But Supporting

Price: $33.05
incl. $3.05 Fee
Date Range: 01/17
Time: 9:00AM EST 10:30AM EST
Registration ends January 17, 2026 at 9:30am EST

Wheelchair Athlete

Price: $38.35
incl. $3.35 Fee
Date Range: 01/17
Time: 9:00AM EST 10:30AM EST
Registration ends January 17, 2026 at 9:00am EST

Run Anywhere Virtual 5K

Price: $33.05
incl. $3.05 Fee
Registration ends January 17, 2026 at 9:00am EST

Place

YWCA Knoxville Phyllis Wheatley Center
124 South Cruze Street
Knoxville, TN

Description

The YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Diversity Day is not just an event; it's a movement towards unity and understanding. This family-friendly occasion brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate diversity and promote dialogue on the importance of inclusivity. The Race Against Racism 5K, a highlight of the day, is a symbol of our collective commitment to eradicating racism and promoting a more inclusive society. Join us on January 17, 2026 at the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center for our 30th Annual Diversity Day and Race Against Racism.

The event kicks off with our 5K beginning at 9 a.m., 1-mile walk beginning around 9:15 a.m., and Kids Fun Run will follow beginning around 9:30 a.m. 5K awards ceremony beginning around 9:40 a.m. Diversity Day activities, available free for the entire family beginning at 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We look forward to welcoming you at the Phyllis Wheatley Center for a day of fun for all ages.

Registration for the 5K run,1-mile walk, and Kids Fun Run is now open. Online registration will close Saturday, January 17th at 8:30 am. Participants can register day of race until 8:30 a.m.

Diversity Day and the Race Against Racism will happen, rain, snow, or shine - so please, come out and join us!

This is a day to celebrate our city's diversity! We look forward to welcoming you at this year’s event, as we celebrate diversity in partnership with local cultural and religious organizations, and once again join together as a community to stand against racism.  Arrive early to enjoy breakfast treats, entertainment, inspirational speeches, and more.  Stay tuned for more details about this exciting event!

Proceeds raised from the event support the YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley and ensure that the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center in East Knoxville continues to offer essential programs that provide students the tools necessary to overcome obstacles and to succeed in school and beyond. 

***FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL INVOLVED--NO RACERS WITH STROLLERS OR DOGS ALLOWED***

Awards Format For 2026

Custom Medals for the Following Categories:

1st place m/f for Overall Winners, Master, Grandmaster, and Veteran

1st, 2nd, and 3rd m/f in age groups 1-13, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, and 70+ 

 

2026 Shirts

The Give Away Shirts for the 2026 event will be a Gildan 50/50 blend short sleeve shirt.

In order to receive the shirt size that you choose, you must register by 11:59 pm on Friday December 28, 2025.

Anyone who registers after that date will not be guaranteed the shirt size that they choose. 

 

Referral Rewards

Participants will be assigned a unique personal url when they register. The participant can encourage their friends to use this url when they register for this event. The system will maintain a count of the number of registrations for each url. When five participants have registered using a participant's personal url, the participant with that url will receive a retroactive refund of $5 to the credit card that they used for registration.
 

YWCA Race Against Racism 5K Run Course Description

YWCA 2026 Diversity Day and Race Against Racism-5K Course

START! YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center 124 South Cruze

Head north on S Cruze St toward McCalla Ave

Cross McCalla Ave and head north to Linden Ave

Turn right onto Linden Ave and continue straight on Linden Ave until
you hit the intersection of Linden Ave and N Castle St

Turn around at intersection and head back (southwest) down Linden Ave

Turn left on N Cruze Street

FINISH! YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center 124 South Cruze

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MAP

Race Contact Info

If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.

Utilizing the RaceJoy Application

The race has included access to the RaceJoy Mobile Phone Application as part of the service package for both the virtual event(s) and the traditional timed event(s). The application is a free download from the App Store or GooglePlay.

Participants can access detailed instruction on the setup and use of the application, click here

Virtual Participants will be able to use the application from 12:00 Am January 3, 2026 to 11:59 PM January 18, 2026. Timed Participants will be able to use the application from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM January 17, 2026. 

The application will work the same for each event as far as setup and use of the application. The application will monitor the distance covered and the time spent on the course for each event. The main difference is that the virtual participants can run their run anywhere course multiple times over the defined time window and either utilize the application to record their time on RunSignup or record their time manually. The timed event participants can only run the defined course one time and their official time will be streamed to RunSignup as they cross the finish line.  

Virtual Participant 

For the virtual participants, they can use the application to post their results to RunSignup or they can post their virtual results manually as follows:

Navigate to the race's RunSignup Race Page   select the Result Tab   then select Submit Virtual Results.

Next search for your registration either by first and last name or by email address and DOB. 

Once you have found your registration select Submit Virtual Results   Enter Your Time   then select Submit Results

Timed Event Participant

We furnish the RaceJoy application for the timed events to allow the participants to use the application to monitor their distance ran and the time spent as they proceed around the course. Family and friends can use the application to monitor the participant's progress on the course and send cheers to the participant. The participant does not need to use the application to post their finish time as the timing equipment will stream that data to the results page on RunSignup as the participants cross the finish line. The application can also be used by event administrators to transmit emergency messages to participants if needed.

Virtual Run Anywhere Event

This race has included a virtual run option as part of their package of events. The virtual option will be available as a run anywhere course event. That means that a registrant for the virtual option will be able to run the course that they choose for this for option. There will be a window of time that the course can be ran and the distance will be defined as part of the option. In other words if a race offers a 5K virtual option, a participant in that event can run the 5K course that they choose as many times as they choose over the time window offered. The participant will be able to post their time to the RunSignup results page for the virtual event. If they post several times, their last time posted will be the time listed in the results. Virtual participants will be automatically assigned a virtual bib number when they register. The bib number assigned will be included in their online registration confirmation email. They will not actually receive a physical bib as the number is only required when they post their results to the RunSignup results page. Participants in the virtual event will receive a race shirt, but must pick up their shirt at the early packet pickup (if offered) or at the day of race packet pickup. Virtual participants are not eligible for awards.

Directions

YWCA Knoxville Phyllis Wheatley Center
124 South Cruze Street
Knoxville, TN

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