30th Annual YWCA Race Against Racism and Diversity Day

30th Annual YWCA Race Against Racism and Diversity Day

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!

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. 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

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