Firecracker Chase

🎉 Welcome to the Firecracker Chase!

Hayden’s Hope and the Quatina M. Wolaver Foundation of Hope are excited to announce the Firecracker Chase is back for 2025, which is the 50th anniversary of the inaugural running! If you're unfamiliar, the Firecracker Chase is a classic road race that has been held on and off for several decades in the beautiful town of Fayetteville, TN. When this race originally began, the racers (who were apparently gluttons for punishment) would start at noon on the 4th of July! We've taken it down several notches from when those fire-breathers were knocking back the miles. Oh, and where did that distance come from? Apparently, according to one of the OG Chasers, that was just a snafu in course measurement...they had intended to run 10 miles, but when they went back and certified the distance, it was discovered that it was actually 10.2 so the rest, as they say, is history. They kept that distance...and so will we...give or take. :)

🏃 Courses

• Open Course: Neither the 5K nor the 10.2MI course will be closed at any point, so it would be advisable for you to keep both your ears and eyes open.
• Safety Notice: Headphones drastically cut down your ability to hear traffic or a barking dog...and there will be both where we’re running.
• Challenge Ahead: The elevation chart on the 10.2 course is deceiving...it’s unapologetically hill after rolling hill.
• Restrooms: Porta Potties will be at the Start/Finish line and at Sweet Dixie Farm.

☀️ Weather

• Hot Conditions: If the June 28th date doesn’t give it away, THIS IS A TRADITIONALLY HOT EVENT.
• Preparation: Please be aware of this so you can train and plan accordingly.
• Rain or Shine: We’ll run rain or shine...just not lightning.

⏳ Cutoff

• Open Duration: The course will be open for 3 hours.
• Pace Requirement: That equates to a 17:38/mile pace for the 10.2 miler.
• Walking Welcome: If you’re a walker and want to tackle it at that pace or faster, we welcome you!
• Completion Time: If you’re not back by 10, you’ll be swept.

🏆 Awards

• Ceremony Times: The 5K awards ceremony will take place on our courthouse lawn across from our iconic movie theater around 8 AM: we will do the 10.2MI awards ceremony at about 9:15.
• Categories: Awards will be given for Overall Male (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and Overall Female (1st, 2nd, 3rd).
• Local Recognition: Overall Male and Female from Lincoln County (10.2MI only).
• Age Groups: 5K & 10.2MI age groups will be from 0 – 9 up to 70+.

🎽 Packet Pickup

June 27th 4 - 6 PM at the Gazebo on Fayetteville Square: June 28th 6 - 6:45 AM at the Gazebo on Fayetteville Square.

🧡 SWAG!

• T-shirt Deadline: Each runner WHO IS REGISTERED BY JUNE 8th will receive a t-shirt.
• Medal: All runners completing the 10.2MI course will receive a Firecracker medal!
• Registration Discount: For everyone registered by June 8th, you have the option to take a $5 discount on your registration instead of a t-shirt.
• Early Registration: Please register early if you LURVE race Ts.

💧 CUPLESS Aid Stations

• No Cups: We will not have cups at our aid stations.
• Hydration Plan: You will be required to have some sort of drinking vessel with you when you start the 10.2MI race.
• Course Hydration: We will have coolers of water on the 5K course, and water and sports drink on the 10.2MI.
• Minimize Waste: Our goal is to minimize waste and trash in and around our town.

🚫 Important Notes

This race is NOT OPEN to strollers, baby joggers, or pets. The course isn’t smooth enough for strollers/joggers and the pavement is usually insanely hot, so we don’t want any burnt paws on our watch.

💬 Final Thoughts

Feel free to post any questions in the event discussion here. Proceeds from this race will benefit Hayden’s Hope and the Quatina M. Wolaver Foundation of Hope, which are both 501(c)3 organizations headquartered in Lincoln County, TN.

For more information, visit the official race page: Firecracker Chase.