Sportspectrum Firecracker 5k Race for Research

🎉 Welcome to the Race

Welcome to the 41st Anniversary of the Sportspectrum Firecracker 5k Race for Research Run & Healthwalk.

🏆 Title Sponsor

• Thank You: Thanks so much to our Title Sponsor, Spine Institute of Louisiana Foundation.
• Mission: The Spine Institute of Louisiana Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization whose mission is to improve current spine treatments and develop new ones through innovative research.
• Impact: Thousands of patients in the Ark-La-Tex have directly benefited as a result of the research that is done through the Foundation.
• Recognition: The Spine Institute of Louisiana has received International recognition from the research performed at its research Foundation.

❤️ In Memory Of Friends

This race is also being run in the memory of three great friends. Ran Kiper, Jim Wilhite, & Robin Fell. They all had a passion for the great outdoors, from a Saturday morning jog with “the group” to a competitive half-marathon down on the Riverfront. They were all leaders, giving their time and resources to organizations and individuals in need. They loved their families and friends, and were committed to living life to its fullest.

The 1996 Firecracker 5K was Ran Kiper’s last foot race. The following day he was diagnosed with cancer and passed away that September. Men’s mug #101 is in memory of Ran Kiper.

📝 Registration Information

• 5k Registration:
  • $22 thru June 1
  • $27 June 2 thru June 22
  • $32 June 23 thru July 3
  • Race day: $35.00
• Kids 1/2 mile fun run:
  • $15.00 until July 3
  • Race day: $20.00

📆 Date & Time

Date: Friday, July 4, 2025

🏃 Fun Run Details

Fun run: 7:30am. All kids participating in the 1/2 mile fun run will be awarded a finishers medal. Entry fee for Kid’s Fun Run (ages 10 & under) is $15.00 and will include an Official Race t-shirt. (Do not wait until the last minute to sign up. Kids fun run shirts limited to the first 200)

⚡ Course Description

5K (3.1 miles) will start and finish at Mall St. Vincent Parking Lot (directly behind Sears). Race will proceed through historic South Highland Subdivision, one of Shreveport’s oldest & most beautiful neighborhoods. A scenic and challenging road race for runners, walkers, and sightseers.

📦 Early Packet Pickup

• Thursday June 26th and Friday June 27th - 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday June 28th from 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Sunday June 29th from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Monday June 30th thru Thursday July 3rd from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Race day: at the race site from 6:45 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.

You can register on race morning but you are not guaranteed a race t-shirt.

👕 Race Shirts

• Again this year you get your choice of either a short sleeve tee t-shirt or a tank top (adult sizes only for tank tops).
• You may purchase additional t-shirts or tank tops for an additional $10.00 each.

🕘 Race Day Registration & Check-In

Mall St. Vincent parking lot behind Sears, 6:50 a.m. —7:45 a.m. race day check-in. You may register race day, but we recommend early registration to guarantee T-shirt. Race day Registration is $40.00.

Please note that we will not hold or mail race shirts. All race shirts not picked up by the start of the race will be given to our wonderful volunteers.

🎖️ Awards & Prizes

• Overall Male & Female winners: $500 each.
• 2nd Overall Male & Female winners: $250 each.
• First 101 Men and First 100 Female Finishers: be awarded a 41st Anniversary Commemorative Mug.
• New this year: the First 10 Male and Female finishers over the age of 50 will also be awarded a commemorative mug.

💰 Prize Money

$2500.00 in Prize Money to be won! Overall Male & Female Winner Win $500.00 each! Overall runner-up Male & Female winners win $250.00 each!

🥇 Special Course Record Bonus

Beat the course record and Win an additional $500!!

Course Records:

• Men’s 2014: Ben Chesars - 14:38
• Women 2020: Taylor Dare - 16:43

🥳 Post Party

Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, fresh fruit, ice cold Great Raft Beer, Ozarka Ice cold water.

🚼 Baby Joggers

Strollers, wagons, baby joggers, and any hand pushed or pulled vehicle will be allowed on the course, but at a walk pace capacity only. Absolutely NO in-line skates, roller skates will be allowed on run course. This rule is an RRCA regulation!

🙋‍♂️ Volunteer Opportunities

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!! If you would like to be a volunteer in any capacity before, during, or after the race, please call Matt McVicar at 798.1241 or send your name and phone number to Run.SRM@gmail.com Subject: Firecracker Volunteer.

🔗 More Information

For more details, visit the race page at: Sportspectrum Firecracker 5k Race for Research