Ann Arbor Firecracker 5K: Run, Walk, or Ruck
About this race
Kick off your Fourth of July the Epic Races way: join us in downtown Ann Arbor on the 4th of July for our classic Firecracker 5K: Run, Walk, or Ruck! Our 3.1-mile course gets underway at a truly red, white, and blue locale: the intersection of Liberty and 4th... where else would you start a race on the 4th of July? Racers then loop around downtown and come in for a spectacular star-spangled finish in front of thousands of spectators.
2026 Schedule of Events:
6:30 AM — Packet Pick-Up and Race-Day Registration open
7:45 AM — Packet Pick-Up and Race-Day Registration close
7:47 AM — Hot dog eaters to the stage
7:50 AM — Pacers to line up
7:52 AM — Remarks
7:55 AM — National Anthem
8:00 AM — 200-meter Kids’ Dash
8:05 AM — Ruckers Start
8:08 AM — Hot Dog Eating
8:10 AM — 5K Start
8:20 AM — 1 Mile Fun Run Start
Add an all-American angle to your outing by opting for one of our 3 special holiday divisions:
☆It's Back for 2026☆
Rucking Division: Rucking is simply walking or hiking while carrying a weighted rucksack or backpack. It is a staple of military training, as soldiers must be able to carry weapons, food and other supplies for long distances. Embrace an even HEAVIER challenge when you sign up for the Ruck Division.
The Flag Carrying Division: Participants in this patriotic category will run or walk their 5K proudly bearing a mounted 3 x 5 American flag from start to finish.
Hot Dog Eating Division: It’s simply not the Fourth of July without hot dogs, and those who choose this challenge — up to 20 competitors — will try to chow down on four dogs in 76 seconds, then get their 5K underway. Consider it our version of the world-famous Nathan’s Hot-Dog Eating Contest, which is held annually in New York City every Independence Day.
Don't have the time for 5K? Try our timed 1-Mile Fun Run! A fun, friendly course awaits runners and walkers of all ages who want to show their Firecracker fervor but with a little less mileage. Whether you choose to make it competitive or relaxed, enjoy this frolic through downtown on the 4th of July!
Our littlest firecrackers are invited to make a bang all their own in our Kids’ 200-Meter Dash. Open to competitors ages 8 and under, our Kids’ Dash offers children the opportunity soar like eagles down Liberty Street, completing their race at the same finish line as Mom or Dad!
Kids can continue celebrating Independence Day at the corner of State and William, where they can take part in the Epic Races float in the Ann Arbor Jaycees' 4th of July parade (accompanied by a parent or guardian)!
The Firecracker 5K is walker friendly!
Sunglasses and medals for all participants in all divisions!
Zero Waste
The event is a Leave No Trace event. Learn more about our race-day recycling and composting efforts here. Want more information about running a great race and leaving no trace? Click here to visit Happy Planet Running!
Join fellow runners on July 4, 2019 for the Ann Arbor Firecracker 5K: Run, Walk, or Ruck. It's a fantastic 5K, 1.6K featuring a flat and fast course in Ann Arbor.
Pick your distance
Running
Firecracker 5K
Firecracker 5K: Kids (12-18)
Firecracker 5K: Kids (Under 12)
Firecracker 5K: Flag Carrying Division
Participants who register for the Old Glory division must follow the following guidelines: Each participant must carry a traditional American flag for the entirety of the 5K. Each participant must provide his or her own American flag for this event. The American flag to be carried must be a MINUMUM of three (3) feet in height and five (5) feet in length. The American flag must be mounted on a portable flag pole bearing no sharp edges or ends. The American flag must never touch the ground at any point during this event. The American flag and its pole must be carried with control throughout the duration of the event. Participants in the Old Glory division are expected to conduct themselves respectfully and carry the flag and pole in a safe manner, continually aware of the other participants in their vicinity. Participants in the Old Glory division are in their own separate division and do not compete against the classic Firecracker 5K participants. Awards will be presented to the 1st Overall Male and Female and the 1st Masters Male and Female.
Firecracker 5K: Hot Dog Eating Division
You will be given 4 hot dogs (because more than that would be gross) to eat within 76 seconds (in honor of 1776). When you finish eating your dogs, or after 76 seconds, whichever comes first, you will take off and run your 5K. You will be penalized for any dogs left on your plate. Less than 1 hot dog left — 0:15 1 hot dog left — 0:30 Less than 2 hot dogs left — 0:45 2 hot dogs left — 1:00 Less than 3 hot dogs left — 1:15 3 hot dogs left — 1:30 Less than 4 hot dogs left — 1:45 4 hot dogs left — 2:00 In this division, you will only compete against other hot dog eaters. Winners will get a super sweet heavyweight belt and there will be age group awards as well. It will be limited to 50 participants.
Mile Fun Run
The Mile Fun Run is an untimed event.
Mile Fun Run: Kids (12-18)
Mile Fun Run: Kids (Under 12)
Ann Arbor Track Club Pace Team - BY INVITATION ONLY
This division is solely for those serving on the Firecracker 5K pace team.
Weather Overview
These values reflect historical conditions on the race dates in Ann Arbor in 2019, from Open-Meteo archive data.
About Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor Firecracker 5K: Run, Walk, or Ruck takes place in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. The local timezone is America/Detroit.
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Race information has been sourced from the event's official website and other publicly available resources. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the official website directly. If you notice any incorrect or missing information, don't hesitate to reach out to us by email.