The Moon Run 5k

Join Wallace Memorial Church at Victor Ashe Park on Sunday, December 6, 2026 to help raise support for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering which will be used to support global missions.

The 5k race and 1mile fun run/walk will be held at Victor Ashe Park by the light of the Moon.  Head lamps, flashlights, glow sticks and night time running gear is encouraged.  Let's light up the greenways!

Packet Pickup will begin Sunday, December 6th at 4:30pm at the Victor Ashe pavilion and the race will start at 5:30pm.

The courses start and finish at the Victor Ashe Pavilion. The 5k race course is an out and back on the greenway, running along the frisbee golf course, connecting to the cross walk to the Northwest Middle School Greenway, looping around the lower loop and coming back.  Finish Line is in front of the pavilion. The 1 mile course goes almost completely around the Victor Ashe Soccer Fields and then turns around and comes back to the start finish line area in front of the pavilion. 

Anyone registering after November 8, 2026 will receive shirts while supplies last. The shirt order will be placed on November 9 and when the shirts run out in the RunSignUp system, there will be no more shirts.

5K Race Award Divisions are planned for Ages 10 & under, 11-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 & up.

Race personnel will make every effort to conduct the race events as planned, however should circumstances arise, race personnel reserve the right to modify, delay, cancel, or suspend the race events due to unforeseen circumstances, including inclement weather determined to cause unsafe conditions for participants and volunteers. Because event expenses have already been incurred and because these events are a fund raising effort, unfortunately refunds or transfers will not be available or given. Participants and volunteers must abandon the race if ordered to do so by the race personnel, medical staff, fire/paramedics or police personnel.

Hope you have been training and preparing for The Moon Run 2026!  If you haven’t already, go to the RunSignUp web page to see the course map.  Try to review it before race day so you are familiar with the path.  We are excited that you have chosen to participate. The following are important instructions to guide you and to make the race run smoothly for everyone.

Instructions for 5K Runners/Walkers

Check the weather - Gather up warm clothing, especially gloves, hat and layered clothing, that can be removed if you are too warm as you run and put back on to keep warm once you finish. If the weather forecast has rain as a possibility, we plan to have the events even if it rains!

4:30-5:20 – Check in at Victor Ashe Park, 4901 Bradshaw Road, Knoxville.  Register and pick up your race packet at the pavilion.  If you have a headlamp, please bring it.  If not, there will be some small penlights at the race.  If you have bought a T-shirt, you will pick it up at registration.

5:25             Line up at starting line.  If you are pushing a stroller or pulling a wagon, please go to the back of the group.  

5:30             Race Begins – A water station will be at the halfway mark.  After the race snacks/water will be available at the pavilion.       

6:50            Approximate start time for the awards ceremony. Award Divisions are planned for Ages 10 & under, 11-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 & up.

Please do not bring pets.  It will be safer in the dark for runners/walkers not to risk tripping over pets or leashes.

Instructions for 1 Mile Walk/Run

Check the weather - Gather up warm clothing, especially gloves, hat and layered clothing, that can be removed if you are too warm as you run and put back on to keep warm once you finish. If the weather forecast has rain as a possibility, we plan to have the events even if it rains!

4:30-5:20 – Check in at Victor Ashe Park, 4901 Bradshaw Road, Knoxville.  Check-in at the pavilion if you were able to get a shirt. The 1mile Fun Run/Walk will not be timed, so enjoy your walk. If you have a headlamp, please bring it or a flashlight to light the path. If using a flashlight, make sure it is always pointed toward the ground, so you don't blind other walkers/runners.  

5:35       Line up at the starting line. Please do not line up until the 5K Runners have left. The 1-Mile Walk will begin 5 minutes after the 5K race begins. If you are pushing a stroller or pulling a wagon, please go to the back of the group.

5:40       Walk Begins (After walk snacks/water will be available at the pavilion.)

6:50        Approximate start time for awards ceremony for 5K Run. 

Please do not bring pets.  It will be safer in the dark for runners/walkers not to risk tripping over pets or leashes.

Instructions for Volunteers

Thank you for your willingness to serve at the Moon Run.  Please arrive at the park by 4:30 if possible. Every role is important to make the race safe and to run smoothly.  Please dress warmly as many of you will be course monitors. Bring a chair if you have one.  If you have outdoor lighting equipment, please bring it.  However, we do ask that you make sure all lights shine down to the ground only and do not project out at any other level than the ground level.  It is very blinding to the runners if lights are shining in their faces, even from a distance. Please do not shine flashlights at a runner/walker if they are coming toward you.  They will be wearing headlamps and need to be able to see where they are putting their feet on the path.

Please check in with the race director at the pavilion.  You will get an assignment and instructions there.   

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Summers (esummers@wallaceknox.com).  

Tell your friends to come join us.  Registration is still open.

Thank you to all who will participate and serve at The Moon Run.  Every effort and every dollar raised is an investment in spreading the Gospel to the nations