Ann Arbor Firecracker 5K

200 Liberty Street, Ann Arbor MI

Friday, July 4th, 2025

🎆 Race Overview

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.

🇺🇸 Special Holiday Divisions

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.

🏃 Alternative Options

Timed 1-Mile Fun Run: Don’t have the time for a 5K? 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!
Kids’ 200-Meter Dash: Our littlest firecrackers are invited to make a bang all their own. Open to competitors ages 8 and under, this Dash offers children the opportunity to soar like eagles down Liberty Street, completing their race at the same finish line as Mom or Dad!

🎉 Post-Race Fun

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!

T-shirts and medals for all participants in all divisions!

♻️ Zero Waste Initiative

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!