calendar_today 19 Apr, 2026
nordic_walking Others
directions_run Running
language Official Website
sell $23.39 – $28.74
The Harwood Center Bear Crawl is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the Jones Pond Pavilion in Shelby Farms Park, located in Memphis, TN. This inaugural event is a fundraiser for the Harwood Center, a local non-profit that provides specialized ABA and Speech therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Memphis is a major cultural and economic hub with a population of approximately 630,000. The city's demographic profile is approximately 64% Black or African American, 24% White, 7% Hispanic or Latino, and 2% Asian. Proceeds from the race directly support the center’s mission to provide life-changing communication and behavioral resources to families throughout the Memphis community.
| Race Category | Distance | Start Time | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Crawl 5K | 5 km | 2:30 PM CDT | Timed / Awards by Age |
| Kids Bear Crawl | Fun Run | 2:00 PM CDT | Free Entry / Fundraising |
| Ghost Runner | Virtual | Flexible | Includes Shirt |
Race Day Experience and Awards
The event is hosted at the scenic Shelby Farms Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Packet pickup begins at 1:00 PM at the Jones Pond Pavilion. Following the Kids Fun Run at 2:00 PM, the 5K Run/Walk kicks off at 2:30 PM. The Harwood Center emphasizes a "Hugs, Hope, Help" philosophy, and the event serves as a community partnership opportunity. Competitive runners can vie for overall male and female awards, Master 40+ titles, and top-three placements across seven age categories ranging from "14 & Under" to "66+."
Registration and Fundraising
Registration for the 5K is $28.74, while the Kids Run is free to encourage family participation. Children are encouraged to create fundraising teams to help the Harwood Center reach its $5,000 goal; currently, the community has raised $3,717.82 (74% of the goal). For those unable to attend in person, the "Ghost Runner" virtual option is available for $23.39 and includes an event shirt. Top donors like Delaney's Family and local businesses like Loflin Yard have contributed significantly to the early fundraising success.
Impact and Contact
The Bear Crawl is managed by Start 2 Finish Event Management. By participating, runners help the Harwood Center expand its outreach to underserved families in Memphis, ensuring that high-quality therapy remains accessible. The team-based fundraising model allows participants to share their individual progress with friends and family to amplify their impact. For technical questions or registration assistance, participants can contact the event management team via the official portal.
Apr 19, 2026
Distance — 5km
Type — Others, Running
14:30
$28.74
Apr 19, 2026
Distance — 5km
Type — Others, Running
14:30
$23.39
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for April in Memphis.
Learn more about the host city, Memphis.
Memphis is the second largest city in the state of Tennessee, after Nashville. The state rests in the southeastern portion of the United States. Memphis, with a population of more than 651,000 (2019), is also the county seat for Shelby County. The city's claims to fame include Graceland, the mansion Elvis Presley lived in during his later years. Perhaps more importantly, Memphis is considered by many to be the home of blues music.
Read more launchExplore other exciting events happening in this same region.
location_on Memphis, Tennessee, US
calendar_today Mar 28, 2026
location_on Memphis, Tennessee, US
calendar_today Mar 29, 2026
location_on Memphis, Tennessee, US
calendar_today Apr 04, 2026
location_on Memphis, Tennessee, US
calendar_today Apr 11, 2026
Hand-picked events we think you’ll love.
Nov 21, 2026
The RUN Manatee 5k series offers THREE adventures to celebrate ONE community. Participants will discover Manatee County…
Read more
Nov 28, 2026
Join us for the annual Turkey Trails 5k/10k! A fun, Thanksgiving-themed event that is perfect for the whole family.The…
Read more
Dec 13, 2026
Join us for the annual Candy Cane Course 5k/12k! A fun, Christmas-themed event that is perfect for the whole family.Th…
Read more
Mar 21, 2027
WE ARE NOW OFFERING AN AQUABIKE DIVISION! Triathlon Information:Join us for the annual Space Coast Triathlon, held in …
Read more