Lucky Kidney Run™, a part of Knox Shamrock Fest™

🏃‍♂️ Lucky Kidney 6K Run

East Tennessee Kidney Foundation (ETKF) is bringing you a one of a kind race to the South side of Knoxville! This race will feature the best of South Knoxville's Urban face. You wont want to miss this Spring morning along the river with an epic start ON the pedestrian accessible only Gay Street Bridge!! Be sure to take the family to visit the Knox Shamrock Fest taking place at Worlds Fair park after the race to keep the celebration going with all things Irish and Green! The festival begins at 10am!

That's right, the course kicks off on Gay Street Bridge and runs out onto Council Pl. onto Sevier Avenue before taking a pleasant detour down to Suttrees Landing Waterfront. Runners will run the full length of Suttrees before exiting the park onto Phillips Ave. before enjoying more waterfront views on Island Home Road before turning back to rerun Island home once more splitting up onto McCormick St., then Anita Dr., before charging straight down Sevier Ave. again, around the bend onto Council to finish in front of the Regal Headquarters building.

Course Information:

• Distance: 6K
• Elevation: Less than 200ft total
• Start Location: Gay Street Bridge
• Finish Line: In front of Regal Headquarters

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 BE AVAILABLE ON RACE DAY.

• Option 1: Thursday, March 12th: Location & Time TBD
• Option 2: Friday, March 13th: Location & Time TBD

💰 Pricing

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

• Early Registration: $35 before February 27.
• Price Increase: $40 after March 1.
• Kids & Family 1 Mile Race: Early price $20, increases to $25 after March 1.
• T-shirt Order Deadline: February 20th.

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 15 Minutes.

🏆 Awards

6K Age Group Awards (In person Participants only)

• Top Finishers: Awards for top 3 M/F finishers.
• Fundraising: Top fundraising team & largest team will receive awards.
• Age Groups: Awards for top performers in 10 year increments: 12 & Under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 & 70+.
• Award Ceremony: From the Main Center Stage at the Knox Shamrock Fest at Worlds Fair Park Performance Lawn, awards will begin at 10am!

🚶‍♀️ 1 Mile Details

All runners/walkers participating in the 1 mile event will receive a race number for timing purposes. This event is timed, 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!

🗓️ Race Day Details to Remember!

• Parking: Available in the Regal Parking Garage.
• Arrival: Allow ample time to park and walk to the Start on Gay Street Bridge for some Bridge Selfies!
• Starting Line: Be at the starting line 10 Minutes Early.
• Dress Code: 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 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.

📅 Event Information

Date: 2026-03-14

Location: 101 E. Blount Ave., Knoxville, TN 37920

Race Link: Register here.