Elizabeth, West Virginia · Saturday, July 4, 2026
The Firecracker 5K Run/Walk is a 5k, running, and walking event held on Saturday, July 4, 2026. It is located at 91 School View Street in Elizabeth, West Virginia.
5K Run/Walk event to kick off the Elizabeth-Wirt Volunteer Fire Department Ice Cream Social.
The race was started in 2011 by a local firefighter, Andy Nestor to provide free athletic shoes to local students in need. The success of the program was overwhelming. River City Runners and Walkers Club coordinate with local school nurses to identify children in need of quality athletic shoes but financially unable to get the shoes. The program is 100% free.
Our mission is to motivate children to get outside and move, maybe join a sports team or just run and play. We hope to change the image of West Virginia from an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle to an active, healthy culture starting with our future - the children of WV and surrounding areas.
To date RCRW have given out hundreds of athletic shoes since 2011.
Help us continue this amazing program by supporting the K4K night race this year!
Special thanks to our sponsors: WV Central Credit Union, Premier Dental, McDonough Foundation, Harry Deitzler
McDonough Trail Race - July 18, 2026
Get ready and saddle up to blaze the trails at the 2nd Annual McDonough Frontier Trail Race on July 18, 2026, at the stunning McDonough Wildlife Refuge in Vienna, WV! This thrilling race offers runners and walkers a chance to conquer a scenic 4-mile loop, weaving through lush forests and past duck marshes, with total elevation gains per loop up to 430 feet. Runners will charge through the 4-mile loop, twice for a total distance of ~8 miles. Walkers will conquer the race with just one pass of the scenic 4-mile loop, amidst lush forests and tranquil duck marshes. Perfect for trail enthusiasts of all levels, this event promises a blend of rugged trails, wildlife wonders, and the wild spirit of West Virginia. Lace up, embrace the spirit of adventure —answer the call of the frontier!
As part of the River City Runners and Walkers Series 2026, this race is 1 of 6 races in the series to earn your personalized jacket at the awards banquet. Don’t miss this thrilling blend of rugged trails, wildlife wonders, and frontier spirit—sign up now and claim your spot in West Virginia’s ultimate trail adventure!
The other races in the River City Runners and Walker Series 2026 are:
Chik-Fil-A 10k/2 mile, Parkersburg High School, Parkersburg, WV
Kicks 4 Kids, Parkersburg, WV
Parkersburg Half/2mile Parkersburg, WV
The Mountwood Challenge Trail Race, Waverly, WV
The Broughton’s 5 Mile Trail Race, Marietta, OH
Thank You to our Sponsors
City of Vienna
Golden & Amos, PLLC
Steve's Plumbing
Bowser Construction
KMA Auto
RPSM, LLC Rocky Peck Sales & Marketing
tailwind nutrition
Come join us for the Inaugural Ohio River Festival 5k! The date is August 1, 2026. Registration starts at 8:00am with the race beginning at 9:00am. The registration fee is $30. All runners/walkers will get a t-shirt and there will be awards for different categories. Thank you for your support and participation. Thank you for your support of the Ohio River Festival!
HALF MARATHON:
The Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon begins at 8:00 a.m. (Wheelchair division 7:50 a.m.) in downtown Parkersburg and is the RRCA WV State Championship. The rolling course will take you out of the city and into the scenic surroundings of West Virginia before looping back into the commercial area. You will finish the race to the cheers of thousands of spectators lined up on Market Street prior to the Parkersburg Homecoming Festival Parade.
All participants in the Half Marathon will get a tech shirt, pre-race pasta dinner, finishers medal, & post-race pizza luncheon.
TWO MILE RACE:
Starting line is at Third and Juliana streets at the Towne Square Parking Garage and the finish line is at Sixth and Market streets. The Two Mile Race is the RRCA West Virginia Championship. Race begins at 8:10 a.m.
To participate on a Company, Family, or School team for the 2 Mile Run, please select your existing team or create a new team during registration. Top 4 fastest team members determine the team score.
All participants in the 2 Mile will receive a T-shirt.
Schedule:
Friday, August 14, 2026, Locations Listed Below
2-9 p.m. - Registration/Packet Pickup for all Events - Parkersburg Municipal Building, 1 Government Sq, Parkersburg, WV 26101
5-9 p.m. - Pre-Race Pasta Dinner* - St. Francis Xavier Parish Center, near Finish Line (included with Half Marathon)
*2-mile participants, guest and children tickets may be purchased at the door. (2-mile tickets $3 with bib present, Guest tickets $7, & Children $4)
Saturday, August 15, 2026, Locations Listed Below
6-7 a.m. - Packet Pickup for Half Marathon & 2 Mile - Parkersburg Municipal Building, 1 Government Sq, Parkersburg, WV 26101
7:50 a.m. - Wheelchair Starts
8:00 a.m. - Half Marathon Run & Half Marathon Walk Starts
8:10 a.m. - 2 Mile Run & 2 Mile Walk Starts
9:30 a.m. - Awards for 2 Mile Run & 2 Mile Walk - Bicentennial Park, 201 3rd St, Parkersburg, WV 26101
11:00 a.m. -1 p.m. - Post-Race Pizza Lunch* - St. Francis Xavier Parish Center, near Finish Line (included with Half Marathon)
*2-mile participants, guest and children tickets may be purchased at the door. (2-mile/guest $5 & Children $4)
11:30 a.m. – Course Closed
12:30 p.m. – Awards for Half Marathon Run & Half Marathon Walk – St. Francis Xavier Parish Center, near Finish Line
12:30 p.m. – Parade begins (Market Street)
Odgen Newspaper Half Marathon & Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon:
Runners who complete in both the Odgen Newspaper Half Marathon & Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon will receive a special tech shirt!
*Must be preregister in the Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon by August 1 to get special shirt.
Half Marathon and 5K trail races located in Mountwood Park - 15 miles east of Parkersburg, WV on U.S. Route 50. Take the Volcano Road exit and the main parking lot is about one half mile by the boat ramp. The half marathon has a 4 hour time limit - any participant over 2 hours at the halfway point will be routed to the finish. T-shirts guaranteed if registered by September 6. Runners must be at least 15 years old to participate in the half marathon. Awards will be presented to the top 3 overall male and female in all races. One age group award in all 3 races for the following age groups: Under 15 (5K only), 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+.