Race for Grace 5k

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 raised from the Race for Grace support Eastside Community Ministry’s Choice Food Pantry and Noon Rotary’s Healthy Bodies Health Minds programs making a difference in our community.

The ECM Choice Food Pantry allows families to visit once a month, providing enough groceries to prepare approximately three meals per day for three days for each individual in the household. Families are able to choose the food that best meet their needs. helping reduce food waste while providing dignity and choice.

The pantry servers more than 5,000 families and provides enough groceries to prepare more than 150,000 meals each year. Through Healthy Bodies Health Minds, the Zanesville Noon Rotary works with local Schools and organizations to help address food insecurity among Children. During the summer of 2026, Rotary provided 200 meals bags for low-income children help bridge the gap in the summer meal programs around the 4th of July. 

Your participation in the Race for Gace helps make these programs possible! 

WHEN/WHERE
5k in person event – Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26th at 8:30 am. Parking for this event will be located at the Grace Church and throughout Downtown Zanesville.
 
RACE COURSE  
The 5k begins at Grace Church and follows a primarily flat course throughout downtown Zanesville. After crossing the finish line participants can warmup inside Grace Church and enjoy coffee or hot chocolate before going home to celebrate Thanksgiving with family friends. 

*Dogs are permitted on the 1-mile walk ONLY and are not permitted on the 5K course. Sections of the 5K course are narrow, with participants traveling in both directions, creating a potential safety concern for runners, walkers, and pets. We appreciate your cooperation as we work to keep everyone safe.
   
ENTRY FEES: ​(non-refundable)
5K Run - $30 Through November 25th.   
Race Day - $35.00.
1 Mile Walk - Free (No Race packet or event shirt).
*ADD $15.00 for optional race packet and event shirt.
All proceeds benefit local programs working to fight food insecurity in Zanesville and throughout Muskingum County.
 
RACE PACKETS & FINISHLINE PERKS 
Every registered 5k participant who selects the race packet option will receive a custom long sleeve technical shirt.  All 5k finishers will receive a custom Race for Grace finishers medal. Enjoy Coffee and Hot Chocolate at the finish line while celebrating another Thanksgiving morning together as a community.
 
RACE REGISTRATION & PACKET PICK-UP 
Pre Event Packet pick-up will be at Grace Church on Tuesday, November 24th and Wednesday November 25th from 12:00 pm until 7:00 pm.

Race Day pick up will begin at 7:00 am at Grace Church 
Register on race day starting at 7:00 am.
 
AWARDS 
Awards will be presented to the top three overall male and female finishers. and the top three Male and Females finishers in each age category:
9 and 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 at: [email protected] or 740-252-1925. 

REFUND POLICY

***NOTE***
If we are unable (per health dept. regulations) to safely hold an in-person race for ANY reason including Mother Nature or Pandemics, we will automatically convert all registrations to a non-refundable virtual event as opposed to rescheduling. Updates will be posted on the race website.