Ann Arbor YMCA Indoor Triathlon

Kick off your Fourth of July the Epic Races way: join us in downtown Ann Arbor on the 4th of July for our classic Firecracker 5K: Run, Walk, or Ruck! Our 3.1-mile course gets underway at a truly red, white, and blue locale: the intersection of Liberty and 4th... where else would you start a race on the 4th of July? Racers then loop around downtown and come in for a spectacular star-spangled finish in front of thousands of spectators.

2025 Schedule of Events:

6:30 AM — Packet Pick-Up and Race-Day Registration open

7:45 AM — Packet Pick-Up and Race-Day Registration close

7:47 AM — Hot dog eaters to the stage

7:50 AM — Pacers to line up

7:52 AM — Remarks

7:55 AM — Nation Anthem

8:00 AM — 200-meter Kids’ Dash

8:05 AM — Ruckers Start

8:08 AM — Hot Dog Eating

8:10 AM — 5K Start

8:20 AM — 1 Mile Fun Run Start

Add an all-American angle to your outing by opting for one of our 3 special holiday divisions:

☆It's Back for 2026☆

Rucking Division: Rucking is simply walking or hiking while carrying a weighted rucksack or backpack. It is a staple of military training, as soldiers must be able to carry weapons, food and other supplies for long distances. Embrace an even HEAVIER challenge when you sign up for the Ruck Division.

The Flag Carrying Division: Participants in this patriotic category will run or walk their 5K proudly bearing a mounted 3 x 5 American flag from start to finish.

Hot Dog Eating Division: It’s simply not the Fourth of July without hot dogs, and those who choose this challenge — up to 20 competitors — will try to chow down on four dogs in 76 seconds, then get their 5K underway. Consider it our version of the world-famous Nathan’s Hot-Dog Eating Contest, which is held annually in New York City every Independence Day.

Don't have the time for 5K? Try our timed 1-Mile Fun Run! A fun, friendly course awaits runners and walkers of all ages who want to show their Firecracker fervor but with a little less mileage. Whether you choose to make it competitive or relaxed, enjoy this frolic through downtown on the 4th of July!

Our littlest firecrackers are invited to make a bang all their own in our Kids’ 200-Meter Dash. Open to competitors ages 8 and under, our Kids’ Dash offers children the opportunity soar like eagles down Liberty Street, completing their race at the same finish line as Mom or Dad!

Kids can continue celebrating Independence Day at the corner of State and William, where they can take part in the Epic Races float in the Ann Arbor Jaycees' 4th of July parade (accompanied by a parent or guardian)!

The Firecracker 5K is walker friendly!

Sunglasses and medals for all participants in all divisions!

Zero Waste

The event is a Leave No Trace event. Learn more about our race-day recycling and composting efforts here. Want more information about running a great race and leaving no trace? Click here to visit Happy Planet Running!

Join us for the Heatwave Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K!

A sun-soaked summer challenge that’s perfect for the whole family.

The fun includes –

• Great Swag – designer shirt & custom medal

• Chip-timing with live results and awards

• Free photos

• FREE ice cream at the finish to help you cool off

• Plenty of hot fun in the summer sun!

Grab your friends and family—you won’t want to miss this one!

Can’t make the race? No problem! We offer a virtual race option where you can run anywhere, at any time, and still earn the fun swag!

Youth-based pricing is available: ages 12 & under are only $17!

Half Marathon/10K/5K registration includes a custom bib, designer shirt, and an awesome finisher medal!

1 Mile registration is untimed and includes a custom bib, designer shirt, and an awesome finisher medal!

Kid’s Dash is a fun, untimed dash for ages 10 and under. Registration includes a mini bib, youth-sized shirt, and a specially crafted medal for our youngest runners! (If your child wants to run the kid’s dash without swag, they’re welcome to run free on race day!)

Register by midnight on Thursday, two Thursdays before race day, to guarantee your shirt!

Lace up your shoes and join the excitement of the Dart for Art, an all-inclusive one-mile run/walk in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor. The race starts July 14th, 2026 at 6:00 PM. This year will feature a point to point race starting at Ingalls Mall and North University and finish on Liberty at Thompson St after a loop around The Diag and sprint down State St.

The finish line will be conveniently close to The Paint the Town Block pARTy which will follow the race from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

The Dart for Art – Ann Arbor Mile supports the Ann Arbor Street Fair, the Original, a 501c3 Non Profit organization. Your participation helps fund free community arts education programming.

Wave Start Times

Participants will be placed in waves based on estimated finish time

Teal 6:00 PM Kid’s Dash

Teach your child the love of running at an early age! This is a kick off for the Community/Open Run! The Kids Dash is for children ages 12 and under. No cost for participation. This is a 1/3 mile route that will use the main start and finish lines while skipping the loop around The Diag.

Course Maps

Magenta 6:15 PM and 6:30 PM Community/Open Race

This race is for everyone! It’s great for runners of all ages and experience levels who want to get out and experience an awesome race day atmosphere, strollers are welcome! We will seed runners based on estimated finish time to ensure that runners of all levels have the time they need. Walkers will be placed in the 6:15 wave and faster participants placed in the 6:30 wave. There is no minimum time required for the 6:15 start.

Orange Featured- 6:45 PM and 7:00 PM(If Needed)

This is the featured event! Expect some seriously fast times as the top runners attempt to set the new race record and take home a bonus! An expected finish time/pace of 7:30 and below is required to run in this event.