The Ujima 5K: Run for Goombay
About this race
Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 7:00 a.m.
Start & Finish: Corner of Eagle & Market Streets, Asheville, NC
Join us for the inaugural Ujima 5K – Run for Goombay, a community race celebrating health, wellness, and the rich history of Asheville's Historic East End. As part of the YMI Cultural Center's Ujima Health & Wellness Initiative and the annual Goombay Festival, this 5K invites runners and walkers of all ages and abilities to come together in the spirit of Ujima—the Kwanzaa principle of Collective Work and Responsibility.
The scenic course begins and ends at the corner of Eagle and Market Streets, taking participants through the heart of the East End, one of Asheville's most historic African American communities. Whether you're chasing a personal best, walking with friends and family, or simply supporting a great cause, every step helps promote healthier communities while celebrating culture and heritage.
Can't make it to Asheville? Join us as a Virtual Runner! Complete your 5K from anywhere in the world during race weekend—your neighborhood, local park, treadmill, or favorite trail—and celebrate Goombay from your own hometown.
Registration is just $25, making this an affordable opportunity to support the YMI Cultural Center's health and wellness programming while becoming part of one of Asheville's signature cultural celebrations.
Come run. Come walk. Come celebrate.
Race Details
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 7:00 a.m.
Location: Eagle & Market Streets, Asheville, NC
Registration: $25 (In-Person or Virtual)
Hosted by: YMI Cultural Center as part of the 2026 Goombay Festival
Together, let's build healthier communities—one step at a time.
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Running
The UJIMA 5K: Run for Goombay
Typical race-day weather
Based on 3 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Asheville, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 7:10 AM and sets at 7:41 PM local time (EDT) in Asheville on September 12, 2026 — 12h 31m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
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Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
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Possum Scurry
Blackhawk Bolt 5K & Fun Run at North Buncombe High School
Burn The Bird
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Asheville
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Asheville 5K Races 14 races
- 10K Run Events in Asheville 4 races
- Asheville Half Marathons 2 races
- Asheville Running Calendar 2026 18 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 18 Asheville events
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