The Ridge Runners want to express our sincerest appreciation for everyone who made the first of what we hope will be many Big Rex's Bottle Rocket events for years to come a great success!

A huge thanks to Big Rex's Fireworks, title sponsor of Big Rex's Bottle Rocket, for going above and beyond what we could have ever imagined to make this event special!  We appreciate you and your desire to help make our community a great place to live!  We are so proud to have you alongside us as we continue moving forward and preparing to make the 2027 Big Rex's Bottle Rocket events even bigger and better!

The Ridge Runners also can't say enough to truly describe how amazing the City of Dry Ridge was to work together with to plan all that it entails to make an event like this safe and successful. 
A special thanks to Mayor Greg Brockman, City Manager Ken Little, all the city personnel, the Dry Ridge Police Department, and the Dry Ridge Fire Department for their efforts to  keep all our participants in Big Rex's Bottle Rocket safe.  Please be sure to thank these amazing individuals for their efforts!

Thank You to Our Incredible Big Rex’s Bottle Rocket Volunteers!

There is no way Big Rex’s Bottle Rocket could happen without the amazing people who generously give their time, talents, and energy to serve others. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU to every volunteer who helped make this year’s event such a tremendous success!

To our Ridge Runners Racing family and friends—thank you for the countless hours you invest behind the scenes long before race day arrives. From planning and preparation to setup and cleanup, your dedication often goes unseen, but it is the foundation that makes this event possible.

To the Ridge Runners BOD and all Ridge Runners, thanks for the many hours spent in the development, preparation, and implementation of Big Rex's Bottle Rocket!  A special shout out to Joshua Cummins who gracefully handled Race Director duties throughout the event.  Also, thanks to Board of Directors members, Justin Stephens, Chris Lynn, Jason McComas, Jacob Hanser, and Cameron Beavers for their immense contributions to the success of this event.  Also, many other members of the Ridge Runners that were invaluable to the success of this event include Tyler Edmondson, Brian Nichols, Samuel Imperato, Tyler Cardin, Dawson Cannon, Mitch Nantz, Zach Nelson, and Elijah Walters.  

Thank you to our incredible packet pickup and registration volunteers who welcomed participants with friendly smiles and kept race morning running smoothly.

A special thank you to our outstanding Course Marshals, whose encouragement and guidance helped keep thousands of feet moving safely in the right direction throughout the course.

Thank you to our Course Coordinator David Clark for being on bike to monitor and coordinate with the Race Director and emergency services throughout the race and make sure everything went smoothly.

Thank you to Alex Brockman for driving our lead vehicle adding a special touch to our event.

To our amazing aid station volunteers, thank you for providing much-needed hydration, encouragement, and motivation when runners needed it most.

Our sincere appreciation goes to our finish line volunteers, who celebrated every finisher by presenting medals, distributing refreshments, and welcoming runners across the finish line after their accomplishment.

A huge thank you to Ed Cook and the team at C3 Timing for delivering fast, accurate race results while creating an exciting finish-line atmosphere that added so much energy to the event.

Thank you to Grant County Schools for allowing us to incorporate Grant County Middle School into our 5K course and set up an aid station at that location.

Thank you to the Family Resource Center Directors who assisted at the finish line.

Finally, if we unintentionally overlooked anyone, please know that your contribution did not go unnoticed. Every person who gave their time, whether behind the scenes or in front of participants, played an important role in making this event successful.

Together, you helped create an unforgettable celebration of running, community, and 250 years of American freedom.

From all of us at Ridge Runners Racing INC, thank you for making Big Rex’s Bottle Rocket a day to remember. We couldn’t do it without you!

Marlon J. Kinsey

CEO/President
Ridge Runners Racing INC ridgerunracing@gmail.com

Thanks to our Vendors!

We also extend our gratitude to all of our vendors, whose participation helped make Big Rex’s Bottle Rocket more than just a race. Your displays, products, services, and community involvement helped create a fun and festive Independence Day celebration for everyone.

Thank you to Lucas Hathaway of RUNUR for making our amazing event shirts, helping participants take home a lasting memory of the day.

Thanks to Tri-State Running Company for sponsoring our event with a $100 Shoe Certificate for a giveaway and $50/$30/$25 gift cards to their stores for the top 3 male and female finishers in the 5K.

Thanks to Max Medals for producing the awesome medals that all our 5K finishers received and can display with pride.

Thanks to Mark Messmore for designing and creating our unique 3-D printed Age Group Awards and Kids Fun Run mementos.

Thanks to Ivy Leaf Florist for the beautiful bouquets presented to the winners of each race.

Thanks to Dunkin for the delicious donuts donated for the runners at the finish line.

Thanks to Domino's for the delicious pizza donated that fed the hungry crowd.

Thanks to Browning's Country Ham and Ella Mae's for opening their facilites to provide a great place to get lunch and an ice cream after the race.

Thanks to Walmart for your contribution of water and bananas for our finish line.

Thanks to Tom's Coffee Truck for the delicious coffee throughout the day.

Thanks to Kona Ice for helping everyone cool off on a very warm day.  

Thanks to the My Brother's Keeper for the assortment of goodies that helped energize the crowd.

Ridge Runners Racing INC is proud to partner with several local businesses.  Our events would NOT be possible without their support!  Please support our Partners who support our mission to provide great running events right here in our community.

Ridge Runners Racing INC would like to thank Nashville recording artist and Grant County's own Taylor Henry for performing our National Anthem and providing post-race entertainment for our 250 year celebration of our nation  at Big Rex's Bottle Rocket. Taylor was phenomenal and extremely accommodating to whatever was asked of him.  Thanks Taylor....we hope you will join us again in 2027!

With all that said.....all of this was for you, the 226 registered participants.  We sincerely hope that you had an amazing day with us as we celebrated 250 years of freedom in our nation at Big Rex's Bottle Rocket!  We are so glad you decided to spend part of your holiday weekend with us!  We value your opinion and would like for you to complete a survey so that we can use your feedback to make next year's event even better.  As a thank you, we would like to offer you a 10% discount on the Little Rooster Run on Friday, October 16, 2026 at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds and Park in Glencoe, KY.  
Register for the Little Rooster Run today! https://runsignup.com/Race/KY/Glencoe/LittleRoosterRun5KandMiniBarnyardUltra

All 2026 Big Rex's Bottle Rocket will receive an exclusive code for 10% OFF the Little Rooster Run.  Check your email to complete the survey and take advantage of this opportunity to save.  

Packet Pick-Up

● Location: Dry Ridge Fire Department – Front Bay Doors

● Time: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM

Please arrive early to allow plenty of time for parking, packet pickup, and getting to the start line. Registration and packet pickup will close promptly at 8:30 AM.

Parking

Parking will be available at the following designated event locations:

● Dry Ridge City Building

● Dry Ridge Fire Department

● Tim Simpson Insurance

●  Dry Ridge Auto Sales

●  Fastpace Health

● Dry Ridge Baptist Church

● Piddle Park

Please watch for Big Rex’s Bottle Rocket Parking signs and Ridge Runners Racing Parking signs as you arrive.

Please do not park in areas that are not designated as event parking. This will help keep roadways clear, ensure the safety of participants and spectators, and allow emergency vehicles access if needed.

Before You Arrive at the Starting Line

● Wear your race bib on the front of your shirt.

● Stay hydrated and be ready for warm July weather.

● Be respectful of volunteers, law enforcement, and fellow participants.

 ● Most importantly, have fun and enjoy celebrating 250 years of American freedom with us!

Weather Emergency Protocol

For the safety of all participants, volunteers, and spectators attending Big Rex’s Bottle Rocket, Ridge Runners Racing Inc will follow the standardized American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Event Alert System (EAS) should we experience a threatening weather event. This color-coded system—displayed on course signage, water stations, and at the start/finish lines—communicates the severity of weather conditions and their impact on participant safety:

🟢 Green: Low Risk — Good conditions with no major weather concerns.

🟡 Yellow: Moderate Risk — Less-than-ideal conditions; weather might impact the race. Runners should stay alert, be prepared for worsening weather, and consider slowing their pace.

🔴 Red: High Risk — Dangerous weather (such as severe heat, humidity, or high winds) is actively impacting the event. Runners should slow down, increase hydration, and prepare for potential delays or course modifications.

⚫ Black: Extreme Risk — Conditions are dangerously severe (e.g., lightning, severe storms, or temperatures over 100° F). The course is closed, events are paused, and participants must seek shelter or follow the instructions of race officials immediately.

Should weather become so severe that cancellation of Big Rex’s Bottle Rocket events should become necessary, any runner who is unable to finish as a direct result of the cancellation shall have the right to defer their entry to the 2027 Big Rex’s Bottle Rocket.  Unfortunately, we are unable to process refunds for this event.

Thank you for being part of this year’s Big Rex’s Bottle Rocket events. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you on race morning!

Happy Independence Day!

Ridge Runners Racing

Thanks to Mark Messmore for creating our unique 3-D printed Age Group and Overall Winners Awards!!

And that's NOT all folks...more SWAG and announcements still to come!!  

"Come Blast Off With Us"!            Sign up today!

We are excited to announce that Tri-State Running Company is partnering with Ridge Runners Racing Inc at Big Rex's Bottle Rocket 5K.

The following will be awarded at the conclusion of Big Rex's Bottle Rocket 5K....

Overall 1st/2nd/3rd place finishers in the 5K in both the male and female categories will receive respectively a $50/$30/$25 gift card to Tri-State Running Company.

Tri-State Running Company has also offered one $100 shoe certificate* that will be drawn from Big Rex's 5K registrations received prior to Midnight on May 31, 2027 (must be present at 5K awards ceremony on July 3, 2027 to win!).  *Members of Ridge Runners Racing Inc Board of Directors and their immediate families are NOT eligible for this prize.

LITTLE REX'S KIDS FUN RUN:

10 and Under (Each registered runner may be accompanied by one adult chaperone at no additional cost).  Only registered runners are eligible for race swag.

BIG REX'S BOTTLE ROCKET 5K: 

Under 10, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-79, 80 & over.

LITTLE REX'S KIDS FUN RUN:

Overall winners (male and female) will receive a special race themed award at approximately 9:45 AM at the concert stage by the basketball court. All finishers will receive a special race themed memento at the finish line.  

BIG REX'S BOTTLE ROCKET 5K: 

Overall and Age Group winners in male and female divisions will receive a special race themed award at approximately 10:15-10:30 AM at the concert stage by the basketball court.  All finishers will receive a special finishers medal with race logo at the finish line.

Also, Tri-State Running Company has graciously agreed to supply a $50/$30/$25 gift card to their store for the 1st/2nd/3rd place male and female finishers of Big Rex's Bottle Rocket 5K.  

In addition, a drawing for a $100 gift certificate good toward the purchase of a pair of shoes at Tri-State Running Company will be given to one lucky person in the 5K registered by 5/31/26.