Folsom Firecracker Race

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). Kids who are registered for the 2 Mile or 5K and wish to run the Kids Run in addition need only register for the longer race (will receive only 1 medal/tshirt). 

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.  This discount is available to those who are serving or have served and does not extend to spouses or children. 

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
• First Responder / Law Enforcement
• City of Folsom Resident
• Cancer Survivors

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. Unfortunately your four-legged workout partner will need to stay at home.  

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. 

Overall winners will also receive their age group prize. Unclaimed awards are not mailed. 

Special Division prizes: The top three finishers (broken down by gender) in each special division (Folsom Resident, First Responder/Law Enforcement, US Military Active Duty/Reserves, US Military Veteran, Cancer Survivor, Adaptive Athlete, Strollers) will receive a medal. Be sure to check the results on race day before you leave the event to see if you won! 

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 on 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. No matter where somebody is on their cancer journey, whether currently undergoing treatment, post-treatment, or if they are a care partner for somebody battling cancer, we will be there. Research has proven time and again that exercise, nutrition, and positive mindset can help improve quality of life for those impacted by cancer.

• Your contribution will support those impacted by cancer through community, fitness, nutrition, and mindset resources to help empower them on their cancer journey.  Cancer Champions is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Tax ID Number 87-1494423.

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 they may live, and offering them our unique, patient-centered, wrap-around care.
  
  
• Shriners Hospitals for Children® is a fully qualified 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions to Shriners Children's™ are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law (EIN 36-2193608). Shriners Children’s™ is a registered name under which Shriners Hospitals for Children conducts activities.

Volunteer at the Race!

Volunteers are needed on race day to help with tasks such as:

• Registration (hand out t-shirts, bibs)
• Course Monitor (direct athletes on the course)
• Water Station (pass out water & Gatorade on the course)
• Finish line refreshments, award hand-out, and water
• Distributing finish line medals
• Clean up

All race day shifts are relatively short and you will be done well before lunch. That being said, we encourage all volunteers to wear sunscreen, bring a reusable bottle of water, and wear a hat. If you would like to volunteer, either by yourself or with a group, you can sign up online using below link. Please email us with any questions about volunteering here. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for fundraising opportunities.  Volunteers who are not fundraising may receive a coupon code to any remaining 2025 ACOP race of their choice to participate for free. Packet Pick Up and race day registration volunteers may use the code for this event. Vouchers expire on 12/1/2025. 

We would love to have your help on race day!

Sign up to volunteer HERE.

Special Division Detailed Information

Special Divisions are offered for this event for the 5K and 10K. This is an optional category that you may enter in addition to your age group. Those entering a special division will still be eligible for age group awards and will still be ranked and listed in age group results. You may enter only one special division.

• US Military Special Divisions
• Law Enforcement & First Responders
• City of Folsom Residents
• Cancer Survivor
• Adaptive Athlete Division
• • You may enter this division if you are an athlete with physical, developmental, and/or an intellectual disability. Some examples are: visually impaired, wheelchair athlete, limb difference, developmental/intellectual delayed/disability, modified racing wheelchair ("duo team"), etc.  Rankings will be based on net (chip) time.
• Baby Jogger Division
• • This division is for parents, guardians and caregivers who will be pushing an infant or todd;er in a stroller or baby jogger.
  • If more than one person will be running/walking with a stroller, only ONE should enter the baby jogger division.
  • Children in strollers do not need to be registered; however will not receive a t-shirt or medal.
  • Rankings will be based on net (chip) time.
  • Those participating with strollers must start toward the back at the start line. Starting toward the front is not safe for either you or those around you and we do not want to encourage weaving.
  • If you would like to run a very fast pace and start toward the front, we suggest not participating with a stroller.
  • The top three finishers per gender (based on the adult pushing the stroller) will be awarded a prize.