Folsom Firecracker Race

Happy Independence Day!

Join us for our 12th Annual Folsom Firecracker. It is a great way to kick off the 4th of July before your festivities with family and friends.

Beneficiary: The event will benefit the burn prevention programs at Shriners Children’s Northern California, located here in Sacramento County off Hwy. 50 adjacent to the UC Davis Med Center.  Shriners Children's mission statement is to provide the highest quality care to children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare needs within a compassionate, family-centered and collaborative care environment.  

Registration includes a race t-shirt, chip timing, eligibility for age group & special division awards, and a sparkly red-white-and-blue finisher's medal.

Youth Discount: A $5 discount is offered for youth participants ages 1 to 17 years for the 2 Mile, 5K and 10K.

Military Discount: New this year - we are offering 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, you 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, Veteran, or Reserves;
• Baby Jogger/Stroller;
• Dog Division

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. This is our way of recognizing those who have served our country, parents and caregivers who are participating with a little one in a stroller, athletes with physical, developmental, and/or intellectual disabilities, and those who choose to participate with their four-legged furry exercise partner.  See section below for rules and more detailed information.

2023 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. 

Race Day Times

6:30 AM - Registration opens
7:45 AM - 10K Start
7:50 AM - 5K Start
8:00 AM - 2 Mile Start

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, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, and 90+. 
10K: 12 and under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, and 90+. 
2 Mile: 9 and under, 10-12, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, and 90+. 

Overall winners will also receive their age group prize. Unclaimed awards are not mailed. Age group award winners who do not pick up their medal on race day may pick it up in-person at Fleet Feet Folsom from July 6 to August 3. 

Packet Pick Up: 

Packet pick up will be held July 2 at Fleet Feet Folsom from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Fleet Feet is located at  6610 Folsom-Auburn Rd, Folsom, CA 95630.n 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 Sunday, July 2, 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.

A detailed parking map is here http://www.folsomfirecracker.com/pages/race-info 

Participant Confirmation

A confirmation email is sent to each registrant when your online entry is submitted.

A detailed participant confirmation letter will be sent the Thursday prior to event day.

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

We also need volunteers to help at race packet pick up, held on Sunday, July 2, from Noon to 5pm at Fleet Feet Folsom.  Those helping at packet pick up are eligible for a complimentary race entry to either the Folsom Firecracker or any other 2023 ACOP race, including the Davis Moonlight Race on Saturday night, July 15. 

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 2023 ACOP race of their choice to participate for free. Packet Pick Up and race day registration volunteers may use the code for this event, if it is not sold out.

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. 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:

Three divisions are offered: Active Duty, Veteran, Reserves. The top three finishers per gender in each of these divisions will receive an award. Ranking will be based on net (chip) time.

Adaptive Athlete Division

You may enter this division if you are an athlete with physical, developmental, and/or an intellectual disability. Some exampes 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.
Please note there is a short stretch on the 2 Mile course that is not paved. 

Baby Jogger Division

• This division is for parents, guardians and caregivers who will be pushing an infant or todder 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.

Dog Division

Dogs may participate in this event under the following conditions:

• Dog is reliably comfortable in large crowds, in areas with a lot of noise, and around other dogs.
• Dog is not prone to jumping or excessive barking around strangers or other dogs, or when excited.
• Dog must be on a nonretractable leash.
• Owner must be prepared to clean up after him/her.
• Dogs may be in dog strollers or in carriers (front packs etc).
• Those participating with dogs must start toward the back.
• If you would like to run a very fast pace and start toward the front, we suggest not participating with a dog.
• Prizes will be awarded to the fastest five dogs per distance based on net (chip) time.