Lucky Kidney 6K Run

East Tennessee Kidney Foundation (ETKF) is bringing you a one of a kind race and festival to the downtown scene in  Knoxville!  This race will start and end in the heart of downtown Knoxville from the World's Fair Park where runners can hop right into the Knoxville Shamrock Festival after finishing their run/ walk.  You wont want to miss this spring morning downtown with all the festivities of St. Patricks day!  The Knox Shamrock Fest begins at 10am, so be sure to bring friends and family to run or walk, then PARTY WITH ALL THINGS GREEN AND IRISH!

RACE COURSE UPDATE --> Due to peaking construction projects in South Knoxville the course has been relocated to World's Fair Park.

Thats right, this race kicks off from World's Fair Park!  The course will be an out and back along 2nd Creek Greenway,  feature the Neyland Drive greenway before spinning around to repeat it all back again into the World's Fair Park Lawn where the festivities will await your finish! 

WATER/ AID: Feeling thirsty on the route?  Water stop will be set up at the halfway point for rehydrating!

ETKF is a non-profit organization committed to enhancing the lives of East Tennesseans through early detection of kidney disease, education, and access to vital care. ETKF proudly operates independently and is 100% LOCAL.  All funds raised by ETKF remain in our community, directly supporting local individuals battling kidney disease.

Packet Pickup

All race day participants must pick up packets & race items during packet pickup times.  PICK UP WILL NOT AVAILABLE ON RACE DAY.

Option 1:  Wednesday, March 11th 9am-7pm: XUL BEER - HARDIN VALLEY (10677 Hardin Valley Rd Knoxville, TN 37932)

Option 2:  Thursday, March 12th 9am-7pm: XUL BEER - DOWNTOWN (213 5th Ave Knoxville, TN 37917)
 

Pricing

In person registration includes the race 2026 Event Shirt, race number & Race Packet.

BE SURE TO REGISTER EARLY!! 6K Early Registration Price is $35 before February 27.

Price increases to $40 after March 1.  Kids & Family 1Mile Race early price is $20 and increases to $25 March 1.

6K Runners and 1mile participants will both receive an event themed T-shirt with their registration.  T-shirt order deadline is February 20th- if you want one of this years AWESOME exclusive shirts you better sign up early!

*Walkers are discouraged from walking the full 6k course due to course closure timeline. Walkers may consider the 6K Virtual option or the 1 mile option. 6K course cut off time is 1 Hour 20 Minutes.  

Extra race shirts may be purchased after the event AT the Shamrock Festival held at World's Fair Park (while supplies last). 

6K Age Group Awards (In person Participants only)

Awards will be given to the top 3 M/F finishers, top fundraising team, & largest team.

Age Group Awards for the 6K will be presented to the top performer in 10 year increments:

12 & Under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39- 40-49-50-59, 60-69 & 70+.

***Awards for 5K race will be presented from the Main Center Stage at the Knox Shamrock Fest at World's Fair Park Performance Lawn, awards will begin at 11am!

1mile Details:

All runners/ walkers participating the 1mile event will receive a race number for timing purposes.  This event is timed- not scored, top 25 runners will receive medals- so run fast!

Virtual Run / Walkers:

Choose to run or walk wherever and whenever and submit your results online following the sign up instructions.  Submissions will be available from March 11-16th (*Honor system in place).  There are no awards or T-shirts for virtual race participants. Be sure to tag #luckykidneyrun to show off your awesomeness!  Virtual attendees may purchase t-shirts to be picked up during the packet pick up windows.  Items ordered will not be mailed out.

Race Day Details to Remember!

6K Race starts at 9am.

1mile Walk/ Run will start around 9:10, after the 6K race takes off.

Parking is available in any of the Parking Garages downtown (Market Str & Locust St. garages are free on weekends).

Allow ample time to park and walk to the Start, maybe check out the World's Fair lawn for some self and squad selfies!

Be at the starting line 10-15 Minutes Early and ready to walk/ Run.

Wear your race shirt or fun St. Patrick's Day & Team outfits to the race!

A photographer will be on site; upon request to take Race and team pictures, photos will be available on the this site after the event concludes.

Post event pics using #luckykidneyrun! Share the fun and good times together, whether in person or virtual!

If you would like to support without the sweat, consider donating at the top of the page or by visiting our website.