Ann Arbor Firecracker 5K

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! Our 3.1-mile course gets underway at a truly red, white, and blue locale: the intersection of Fourth and Liberty. Racers then loop around downtown and come in for a spectacular star-spangled finish in front of thousands of spectators.

Add an all-American angle to your outing by opting for one of our two special holiday divisions:

The Old Glory 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 Mile Fun Run! A relaxed, non-competitive course awaits runners and walkers of all ages who want to show their Firecracker fervor but with a little less mileage. No timing… just a fun, friendly 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 Jaycess 4th of July parade (accompanied by a parent)!

The Firecracker 5K is walker friendly!

T-shirts 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!