Race Against Human Trafficking

About the Event

The 2026 Race Against Human Trafficking, powered by Plant the Seed, is a community-driven athletic event scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino in New Mexico. Organized by founders Wendy and Miguel Gamillo, the event aims to raise awareness and funds to combat exploitation while supporting the Latinx and underserved populations in the El Paso and Sunland Park border region. This year marks a significant milestone for the event with the introduction of its first-ever 10K distance option.

Race Category	Start Time	Participant Rewards
10K Run	8:00 AM MDT	Event T-shirt & Finisher Medal
5K Run/Walk	8:00 AM MDT	Event T-shirt & Finisher Medal
1 Mile Fun Run	8:00 AM MDT	Event T-shirt & Finisher Medal
Virtual 5K	Flexible	Remote Participation Support

The event features a competitive atmosphere with trophies awarded to the top three male and female finishers in the 5K, alongside age-group awards spanning from "10 and Under" to "70 Plus." To ensure professional-grade timing, participants must follow strict bib placement protocols, wearing their assigned numbers visibly on the front of their shirts. Beyond the physical race, the "Plant a Seed" organization focuses on holistic support for first-generation families, bridging gaps in traditional social services to foster a more resilient community.

Human trafficking remains a critical issue both globally and within the United States, often disproportionately affecting vulnerable and underserved populations. According to data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there were 10,323 cases of human trafficking reported in the U.S. in a single recent year, involving 16,554 individual victims. Statistics indicate that while victims come from all backgrounds, people of color and non-citizens are often at higher risk due to systemic inequities. For instance, some federal studies have suggested that while Black individuals make up roughly 13% of the U.S. population, they can constitute nearly 40% of identified victims in certain sex trafficking contexts. Similarly, in border regions like El Paso and Sunland Park, Latinx individuals may face heightened risks of labor exploitation and trafficking due to various socio-economic factors.

Logistically, the race has a firm no-refund policy, though entry fees may be transferred to other events for a fee. Registration remains open through the morning of the race, with "Very Late" pricing taking effect on May 10th. The Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino provides an expansive venue for the start and finish lines, offering ample space for the hundreds of expected participants. Through the combined efforts of local sponsors, dedicated fundraisers like Taylor Moreno, and participating teams such as Team Habitat, the 2026 race continues to sow the seeds of systemic change and awareness across the region.

Races Offered

1 mile fun run

May 17, 2026

straighten

Distance — 1mi

terrain

Type — Others, Running

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08:00

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$41.24

10K

May 17, 2026

straighten

Distance — 10km

terrain

Type — Others, Running

timer

08:00

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$63.58

5k

May 17, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5km

terrain

Type — Others, Running

timer

08:00

sell

$41.24

Virtual 5K

May 17, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5km

terrain

Type — Others, Running

timer

08:00

sell

$41.24

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Sunland Park.

thermostat Temperature

15.5° / 30.8°

wb_sunny Feels like

11.7° / 24.9°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

13h 13m

water_drop Avg rainfall

—

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

12.9 km/h (Gentle breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

Moderate

terrain Course conditions

Hard and dry surface

sunny Max UV Index

High (6.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

18.7%

wb_twilight Sunrise

06:08

nightlight Sunset

19:56

About Sunland Park

Learn more about the host city, Sunland Park.

Sunland Park is a city in southeastern Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States, on the borders of Texas and the Mexican state of Chihuahua, with Ciudad Juárez adjoining it on the south and El Paso, Texas, on the east. The community of Santa Teresa adjoins it on the northwest. As of the 2020 census, Sunland Park had a population of 16,702. It was estimated at 17,978 by the United States Census Bureau in 2019. Though it lies adjacent to El Paso, being in Doña Ana County makes it a part of the Las Cruces metropolitan statistical area. Las Cruces is 42 miles (68 km) to the north.

Hotels & Places to Stay

Video

Watch highlights and course previews from previous years.

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Registration Discount

Use the promo code below during registration to save on entry fees.

$5.00 OFF

Promo code RAHT26

*Promo codes are collected from publicly available sources. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any brand listed. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Offers may expire or change without notice.