Folsom Firecracker Race

🎉 Race Overview

Join us for our 14th Annual Folsom Firecracker on Friday, July 4th. This community-oriented event is a fun and healthy way to kick off the 4th of July before your festivities with family and friends. The 2 Mile, 5K, and 10K races are timed events that travel primarily along the paved paths of the Lake Natoma bike trails and overlook the American River. The Kids Fun Run is a 1/4 Mile non-competitive race for ages 10 and younger. Finishers of all races will receive a medal upon completion.

Overall and age group awards are presented in all three timed races. In the 5K and 10K, we have unique special divisions and awards to recognize adaptive athletes, Folsom residents, first responders, active military and veterans, cancer survivors and stroller entrants. Post-race, enjoy complimentary sno-cones, refreshments, and vendor booths. We hope to see you there!

📅 Event Details

• Registration: for the 2 Mile, 5K, and 10K includes a race t-shirt, chip timing, eligibility for age group & special division awards (5K/10K), and a finisher's medal.
• Kids Fun Run: The Kids Run will be approximately 1/4 a mile and will be held at 9:00am. Open to kids ages 10 and Under. Entry includes a bib number and finisher medal (race is not timed). A t-shirt may be added to the entry for $5. One parent may run alongside each child in the Kids Run if this makes the child more comfortable (parent does not need to register).
• Youth Discount: A $5 discount is offered for youth participants ages 1 to 17 years for the 2 Mile, 5K and 10K.
• Military Discount: We offer a reduced cost entry to all US Military - Active Duty, Veterans and Reserves. Please note that if you register in this category, you will need to show your Military ID card when you pick up your bib.

🏆 Special Divisions

During registration, 5K and 10K entrants will have the chance to enter one of our Special Divisions for your race distance. Special divisions are:

• Adaptive Athlete: athletes with physical, developmental, and/or intellectual disabilities.
• US Military: Active Duty/Reserves or Veteran.
• Baby Jogger/Stroller: for those pushing an infant or toddler in a stroller.
• First Responder: Law Enforcement.
• City of Folsom Resident: for local participants.
• Cancer Survivors: for individuals who have survived cancer.

There will be prizes for top finishers in each special division (based on net time) and you will still be ranked in your respective age group if you enter a special division.

📏 Distances

5K, 10K and 2 Mile Courses will be offered. See website for course maps. The 2 Mile is perfect for families, younger participants, and those with strollers or well-behaved dogs. All courses start and finish on Parkshore Drive and travel along the tree-lined Jedidiah Smith Bike trail and offer views of the pristine blue waters of the American River. The 10K has rolling hills.

⏰ Race Day Times

• 6:30 AM: Registration opens
• 7:45 AM: 10K Start
• 7:50 AM: 5K Start
• 8:00 AM: 2 Mile Start
• 9:00 AM: Kids Fun Run Start

Arrive one hour prior to your race start to have sufficient time to warm up, use restrooms, park, pick up bib, etc.

Dogs: At this time, we regret that we cannot allow animals (dogs) to participate in the event, except for service dogs, due to changes in race insurance.

🏅 Awards and Age Groups

Awards will be presented to the top overall male, female, and nonbinary finishers (based on gun time) plus the top three finishers per gender (based on net time) in the following age categories:

• 5K: 9 and under, 10-12, 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, and 90+.
• 10K: 12 and under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
• 2 Mile: 9 and under, 10-12, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
• Kids Run: The kids run will not be timed. All finishers will receive a participation medal.

📦 Packet Pick Up

Packet pick up will be held prior to event day on Thursday, July 3 from 3:30-7 pm at Fleet Feet in Folsom (6610 Folsom Auburn Road, Folsom). You may pick up for friends or family members: ID is not required (except for those registering with Military discount). If you cannot pick up prior to event day, then you may pick up on race morning.

🅿️ Parking

Parking (free) is available in the surrounding corporate parks of Parkshore Drive. Please be mindful of no parking signs. Arrive early to find a space.

📧 Participant Confirmation

A confirmation email is sent to each registrant when your online entry is submitted. A detailed participant confirmation letter will be sent a few days prior to event day. [2025: Email sent on 6.27.25: scroll to the bottom of this page for a link to view the e-mail as a PDF].

🎗️ Event Beneficiaries

Proceeds from the Folsom Firecracker will support two local nonprofit organizations: Cancer Champions and the Neil Reitman Pediatric Burn Institute at Shriners Children's of Northern California.

Cancer Champions

• Your generous donation shows those fighting cancer they’re not alone. Every dollar counts, and you'll receive a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution.
• At Cancer Champions, we are proud to support those impacted by cancer through a supportive community as well as personalized fitness, nutrition, and mindset guidance.
• Your contribution will support those impacted by cancer through community, fitness, nutrition, and mindset resources to help empower them on their cancer journey.

Shriners Children's of Northern California

Your Gift Helps Us Transform Lives

• When a family comes to Shriners Children’s, we welcome them with open arms — and open hearts.
• At Shriners Children’s, we are committed to reaching as many children as possible, wherever