Race for Grace 2026

19th Annual Race for Grace 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk
Event Description:
Join us Thanksgiving morning for the 19th Annual Race for Grace 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk, presented by Eastside Community Ministry, Grace Church, and the Zanesville Noon Rotary Club!
Whether you're an experienced runner, a casual jogger, or prefer to walk, all ages and abilities are welcome. Come start your Thanksgiving morning with friends, family, and our community while helping fight food insecurity in Zanesville and Muskingum County.
100% of proceeds from the Race for Grace support Eastside Community Ministry’s Choice Food Pantry and the Zanesville Noon Rotary Club’s Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds programs.
Making a Difference in Our Community
The ECM Choice Food Pantry allows families to visit once each month and provides enough groceries to prepare approximately three meals per day for three days for each individual in the household. Families are able to choose the foods that best meet their needs, helping reduce food waste while providing dignity and choice.
The pantry serves more than 5,000 families and provides enough groceries to prepare more than 150,000 meals each year.
Through Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds, the Zanesville Noon Rotary Club works with local schools and organizations to help address food insecurity among children. During the summer of 2026, Rotary provided 200 meal bags for low-income children to help bridge the gap in summer meal programs around the Fourth of July.
Your participation in the Race for Grace helps make these programs possible!
Parking will be available at Grace Church and throughout downtown Zanesville.
Race Course:
The 5K begins and finishes at Grace Church and follows a primarily flat course through downtown Zanesville.
After crossing the finish line, participants can warm up inside Grace Church and enjoy coffee and hot chocolate before heading home to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends.
Entry Fees:
5K Run – $30
Registration through November 25
Race Day Registration – $35
1-Mile Walk – FREE
The free 1-mile walk does not include a race packet or event shirt.
Optional Race Packet & Event Shirt – $15
All proceeds benefit local programs working to fight food insecurity in Zanesville and throughout Muskingum County.
Race Packets & Finish-Line Perks:
Every registered 5K participant who selects the race packet option will receive a custom long-sleeve technical race shirt.
All 5K finishers will receive a custom Race for Grace finisher medal!
Enjoy coffee and hot chocolate at the finish line while celebrating another Thanksgiving morning together as a community.
Registration & Packet Pickup:
Pre-Event Packet Pickup
Tuesday, November 24 – 12:00 PM–7:00 PM at Grace Church
Wednesday, November 25 – 12:00 PM–7:00 PM at Grace Church

Race Day
Packet pickup begins at 7:00 AM at Grace Church
Race Day registration will also open at 7:00 AM
Awards:
Awards will be presented to the top three overall male and female finishers and the top three male and female in each age category:
• 9 & Under
• 10-14
• 15–19
• 20–24
• 25–29
• 30–34
• 35–39
• 40–44
• 45–49
• 50–54
• 55–59
• 60–64
• 65-69
• 70-74
• 75+
Race Contact:
For questions about the Race for Grace, please contact:
Matt Schreiber
📧 [email protected]
📞 740-252-1925
Refund & Event Cancellation Policy
All registrations are non-refundable.
If we are unable to safely hold the in-person race for any reason, including health department regulations, severe weather, or a pandemic, the event will automatically be converted to a non-refundable virtual race rather than rescheduled.
Any updates or changes will be posted on the Race for Grace registration site, the Facebook event website and communicated to registered participants.
Run With Us. Give Back. Fight Hunger.
Start your Thanksgiving with a few miles, a lot of smiles, and a great cause.
Every step you take helps provide meals for local families and children in need.