The Greater Richland Area Cancer Elimination Inc. (GRACE) will have the third annual Race for GRACE event on May 9, 2026. The event will focus on fundraising and prevention of cancer. The goal is to get people excited to get active and help in their own prevention of cancer, along with raising funds to help people currently battling cancer. There will be a 1/4 mile kids run, a 1 mile fun run/walk, a 5k fun run/walk and new this year, a 3.5 mile Trail Run. Also new this year, all races start and finish on the Richland Center High School track.

A big part of what GRACE does is financially help people battling cancer. Optional pledge sheets [https://walkwithgrace.com/images/2024/raceforgrace/pledgesheet.pdf] will be available to help raise additional funds for GRACE. If you can't get your friends to join you in one of the race events, try to get them to support you on a pledge sheet [https://walkwithgrace.com/images/2024/raceforgrace/pledgesheet.pdf] to raise funds for GRACE.

Although we will not be having a 10K this year, we are very excited to announce the addition of a 3.5 mile Trail Run. This will be like a cross country course. We will have a well marked, off road course with challenging hills and beautiful views of Richland Center. If you are up for a challenge or just looking for something different than a normal road race, this event is for you!

FIRST RESPONDER CHALLENGE

Our 1 mile race will have teams of first responders competing against each other in a competitive but fun atmosphere. We will have separate divisions for firefighters, police and paramedics. Each team will have 3 or more members from the same department. Each team will have a race bib and be chipped timed to compete against others in their division. Team members MUST finish together! Each team, regardless of size pays a $100 registration fee. Medals will be given to each first responder that is identified before April 17th and participates in the 1 mile race. Optionally, you can have a pledge sheet for your department to raise additional funds for GRACE. You can register your team by sending an email to: [email protected]

FIREFIGHTERS

Firefighter teams must wear turnout gear. Coat and pants are required; helmet and air tank are optional. Team members MUST finish together. Good walking/running shoes are highly recommended.

POLICE

Police teams must wear uniforms and vests. Team members MUST finish together.

Our organization helps people battling cancer in our service area. Our service area includes all of Richland County and the surrounding townships. In 2025, 58% of the money raised will go directly to cancer patients, 25% will go to cancer research, 10% to the local medical community, 5% to our preventative fund and 2% to operating costs.

Registration includes a swag bag with lots of goodies and Sport-Tek t-shirt (shirt available only if registered before April 23rd)

Same day registration will be available but you will not be guaranteed a t-shirt or swag bag.

Packet pickup can be done on May 8th from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm at the Richland Center Community Center, 1050 N. Orange St. or the morning of the race from 6:30 am - 7:30 am at the Richland Center High School Track concession stand.

Parking will be available at the Richland Center High School track.

Race Maps:

1/4 mile kids run: map link [https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/6648683403] or map image [https://walkwithgrace.com/images/2026/RaceForGrace/kidsrun.png]

1 mile run/walk: map link [https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/6650439619] or map image [https://walkwithgrace.com/images/2026/RaceForGrace/1mile.png]

5K run/walk: map link [https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/6635325440] or map image [https://walkwithgrace.com/images/2026/RaceForGrace/5k.png]

3.5 mile trail run: map link [https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/6662293401] or map image [https://walkwithgrace.com/images/2026/RaceForGrace/trailrun-2026.png]