Caspers Trail Races

A Ladera Ranch tradition - The Freedom Run on the Ranch is happy to invite you to run in the kids Firecracker 1k or our 5k and 10k runs. The event provides our community the ability to support local charities through the race registration proceeds and sponsorship opportunities. We encourage all to enjoy this great opportunity to celebrate our national holiday and have a little fun while running the streets of your community. We will have several festivities to support the runners and non-participants at the event with a breakfast and sponsor vendor area during the morning event. Please help us celebrate the 4th of July festivities and raise awareness and much needed support to the charities. Remember price increases on June 22nd. Also help support our charities by purchasing breakfast from participating local restaurants. All proceeds benefit the charities.

Packet Pickup - TBD

Race Day Calendar:

6:00 am Race Registration opens

7:00 am - 10k run starts

8:30 am - 5k run starts

8:00 am - XclusiveTaqueria Moderna Pancake breakfast begins

9:45 am - Kids 1k run starts

11:00 am - Event ends

Click here to LOOK UP your bib number that you got assigned

https://runsignup.com/Race/FindARunner/?raceId=60114

So Cal’s 4th of July RED, WHITE, & BLUE 5k & 1 Mile

Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 8:30 AM

Irvine Valley College – Lot 5

5500 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine, CA 92618

(Entrance off Jeffrey. All other campus entrances will be closed.)

Flat and fast out-and-back course entirely on the Irvine Valley College campus

8:30 AM Mass Start, following a live National Anthem performance

Professional National Anthem singer will kick off the race

Live Fife & Drum Corps will entertain before the race and be available for fun photo ops

(Insider tip: ask them about their running times—they're cross-country athletes under those uniforms, adding authentic talent to this historical tribute!)

Patriotic atmosphere with live music, great selfie moments, and a vibrant community vibe

Bring your best FREEDOM energy and come ready to race, run, jog, or walk this healthy, high-spirited way to start your 4th of July

Custom shirts, huge finisher medals, chip timing, and age group awards

Bib & Shirt Pickup

Race Morning Pickup:

Begins at 6:30 AM in Lot 5

– Includes music, a selfie booth, and the awards area

– You may pick up for others; no ID required

Optional Early Packet Pickup:

Friday, July 3 | 2:00–5:00 PM

Location: Manassero Farms at Irvine Valley College (enter off Jeffrey)

33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92618

Race Day Schedule

6:30 AM– Race Day Registration & Bib/Shirt Pickup Opens

7:00 AM– Live Fife & Drums + Heritage Song Performances

8:00 AM – Diaper Dash (50 yards out & back)

8:05 AM – 1-Mile Fun Run (Can run with kids or as part of the combo option)

8:15 AM – Opening Ceremony + “Born in the USA” Singalong & Warm-Up

8:30 AM – 5K MASS START

9:15 AM – Overall Winners Announced

9:30 AM – Age Division Awards Begin

Food & Refreshments

Bring cash for fun food options at the finish line! Here's what to expect:

Specialty coffee drinks from a local coffee vendor

Delicious cookies from Galletina’s

Fresh fruit to refresh post-race

Our FAMOUS Street Tacos and Tamales—a crowd favorite!

You can pre-purchase food vouchers as an add-on during registration.

🎖 What’s Included with Registration🎖

Custom 4th of July themed race shirt (front and back design)

Huge 4-inch custom-cast finisher medal

Chip-timed results with a custom race bib

Water and fruit at the finish line

Eligibility for age group and overall awards

🏆Awards

Top 3 Male & Female Overall

5K & 1-Mile Age Group Awards (3 deep in 5-year increments):

1–10, 11–14, 15–19, 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+

Strollers

Strollers are welcome! Please stay to the right and use at your own risk. Only registered participants with a bib will receive a finisher medal. Be sure your bib is worn on the front and visible to finish line staff.

Important Note for Combo Runners (5K + 1-Mile)

If you are running both the 5K and the 1-Mile:

Use only one bib at a time

Stash your unused bib away from the start/finish mats

If doing the 1-Mile Fun Run with your kids, wear your Fun Run bib and leave your 5K bib at the first aid/water station tent near the finish line

Following these steps helps avoid timing issues and ensures your results are accurate. Thank you!

Weather

Rain or shine—the event will go on! Celebrate your freedom and fitness this 4th of July.

🚗 Parking

Irvine Valley College requires a $5 parking fee per vehicle

You can purchase online during registration or pay on race day

Display your parking pass on the driver's side dashboard

Entrance allowed only from Jeffrey Road (Irvine Center Dr. entrance will be closed for the course)

Race staging takes place in the southeast corner of Lot 5, between the Manassero Farm Stand and the two-story Performing Arts building. We are the only event on campus that day.

Hosted by Caren Ware Events

Professionally chip-timed by Itz About Time

Offering fun, fitness, and community for everybody—and every BODY!

San Clemente Ocean Festival is a volunteer organization, dedicated to the promotion and support of ocean safety, the environment and the community by providing a quality athletic venue and enjoyable family event. The San Clemente Ocean Festival utilizes a a "One Fee - All Events Entry". Participants pay one fee and are entitled to enter any of the events listed for that entry. Entry includes commemorative SCOF tee, SCOF swim cap and competitors kit.

Saturday July 18

International Lifeguard Competition (All Events) - includes Surf Race, Rescue Relay, Surf Ski Race, International Ironman, NDA Dory Races #1 & #2, Paddleboard Rescue Relay, Paddleboard Sprint, Landline Rescue Relay.

Junior Lifeguard Competition (All Events) - includes Beach Flags, Surf Race, Run-Swim-Run, Paddleboard Race

Separate Saturday entry events:

Dolphin Dash (kid's running race)

Pier Bowl Surf Classic (open & age-group surfing event)

Sunday July 19

Beach Events (All Events) - includes 5K Beach Run, Biathlon (Swim 1K, Run 5K), Open Ocean Paddle, One Mile Ocean Swim, Run-Swim-Run, SUP Sprint, Splash & Dash Relay

Separate Sunday entry event:

5K Beach Run,

Grom's Rule Surf Contest (kid's age-group surf event including 7 & under "Push-in Division)

The WILD RIVERS SPLASH DASH 5K

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2025

A 'cool' Run. Chose SPLASH DASH 5k (if you want to get to plunge through the wild river before the finish line.) Or the DRY RUN 5k (if preference is to not get wet)

It's your 'coolest' summer run/walk. With the coolest race BLING! Choice of a custom event BEACH TOWEL or a custom event t shirt, and a huge custom FINISHER MEDAL for all participants.

Plus the chance to win SUPER DUPER Age divisions medal awards.

It is a SUPER DUPER FUN event. Make it competitive, or choose to cruise it and have great fun! The last 600 yards of the SPLASH DASH you get to 'DASH' through the lazy river in 2 1/2 feet of water, going with the current!

You also are eligible for a discounted entry into WILD RIVERS for Sunday, August 24 only. Participants get in for $39.99. A ticket must be bought online in advance .

https://wildrivers.com/companies/splash_dash/

SE code: SPLASHDASH for the price to drop from 79.99 to $39.99 when you check out online. https://wildrivers.com/companies/splash_dash/

Show your bib at the gate.

WE are making this RACE A FOOD DRIVE!!!!

EVERY PARTICIPANT MUST BRING AT LEAST 2 CAN GOODS OR $5 CASH donation FOR THE FOOD DRIVE . The South County Outreach is an amazing NONPROFIT that serves over 400 people and families a month, providing nourishing ingredients and food items to make full and complete meals. When people visit their Food Market, they are in control of the cart and what goes in it, just like in a local grocery store. Most needed items are: canned fruit, canned fish/meat, and jelly.

PICK your course! Do you want to end the race running through the wild river (2 1/2 feet deep) and getting SPLASHED by its fountains?! Sign up for SPLASH DASH. If you are a dry lander and just want to run around the park (avoiding the WET part) sign up for the DRY RUN. Both get separate sets of age division awards. The DRY RUN does 'cut' the course short, so we may weave you on a side loop at the end to make it a 3.1.

EVERY PARTICIPANT RECEIVES:

• Custom Cast, Very ‘Cool," Huge and Unique Finish Medal

• Custom Designed SPLASH DASH Beach Towel

• Age division awards

• RFID Chip timing by Itz About Time (itzabouttime.com)

• AND BEST of ALL, the proceeds from Caren Ware Events helps spread health and hope to needs she RUNS into running around the world.

Enjoy the music, the refreshments, and each other!

ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE OFF THE COURSE by 9:30 and exit the park. Age Division and overall awards begin promply at 8:45am for the overall winners and 9am for age division awards. The park will reopen to the public at 10am. All runners and spectators will be exited by 9:30am from the park. That gives you 1 hour and 30 minutes to finish the 5k course!

CHECK OUT PATRIOTS AQUATICS WATER POLO CLUB & SWIM CLUB They will have a booth at the event.

This event supports WATER activity and Swimming Skills, VISIT THE PATRIOT'S Waterpolo club booth and learn about amazing swim lesson opportunities and to learn the sport and train for waterpolo. They have the reputation of producing Junior Olympics! Become a champion in a sport!

https://www.patriotaquatics.org/

VISIT THE SOUTH COUNTY OUTREACH booth and learn how your food or cash donation helps .

https://www.sco-oc.org/

Caren Ware Events are designed for Every BODY and EVERYBODY! So Cal's BEST THEMED RUNNING EVENTS.

RACE LOCATION:

WILD RIVERS WATERPARK, 10000 Great Park Blvd Irvine, Ca, 92618

PARKING: WILD RIVERS will be charging $10 to park. Plan to carpool. Limited additional parking is available in Great Parks. You can also be dropped off in their drop off lane.

COURSE: Course runs around the perimeter of WILD RIVERS parking lot on a 2 loop course, then enters the park through the back employee parking area. It will weave through the entire water park and END in the 2 1/2 foot deep WILD RIVER to finish back at the START/FINISH ARCH. (DRY LAND option also. You must make this choice prior to the run and have a DRY LAND bib on)

The DUCKY DASH STARTS /FINISHES on the BRIDGE and runs THROUGH the kiddie pool wading area. Diaper Dash runs it it and splashes in, and back. 400 M is one lap through kiddie pool. 1/2 mile is 2 laps. All kids get towels and a finisher medal.

EARLY RACE PACKET PICK is Saturday, August 22 from 10am to 1 pm at Road Runner Sports, 24291 Avenida de La Carlota, Laguna Hills, Ca. 92653. This is Not mandatory. You may pick up for others.

You may also pick up bib and shirt or towel at race site on race day beginning at 6:30am.

Canned goods and donations will be accepted at pre packet pick up and on race day. .

RACE DAY SCHEDULE:

6:30 am Registration OPENS. Canned goods at donations at the gate. Registration tents INSIDE the main entrance.

Towels are given with bibs at registration. Medals when you finish

7:45 am Duck Dash for kids. 3 distances. You choose 200 yards. 400 years. 1/2 mile.

Does go through the water. Through or to the Kiddie Pool. Start and FINISH is on the Bridge to the left of the registration tents.

8:00 am Mass Start SPLASH DASH 5k/ DRY RUN 5k

9:00 am Start of 5k AWARDS CEREMONY BEGINS through until 10am. Takes place outside the exit behind the FINISH LINE.

REFRESHMENTS:

Bring EXTRA CASH FOR SPECIALTY

COFFEES, PANCAKES (FULL PLATE $15 EACH) SERVED BY THE WILD RIVERS FOOD SERVICES.

FINISHER MEDALS TO every Finisher

AGE DIVISION AWARDS:

Please make sure your BIB is pinned on the front and visible to our volunteers.

5-year Age Spans: 3 deep with 5-year age spans: 5k and 5 Mile 1-10, 11-14, 15-19, 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 and over

(for SPLASH DASH)

10 Year age spans for DRY RUN. 1-10, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 plus

Top 3 Overall Trophies to Males and Females for both DRY RUN 5k and SPLASH DASH 5k

Plus award to Oldest and Youngest finisher.

RESTROOMS: Are available inside Wild Rivers Water Park.

NO DOGS ALLOWED ON THIS RACE COURSE OR IN THE WATERPARK.

Strollers are allowed, but must stay toward the back and you must sign up for the DRY RUN. They cannot be left at the entrance of the Wild River. They have to be taken to the finish line.

Young children can wear floaties if you choose to carry them all the way on the course.

YOU MUST BE AWARE THAT ANY PHONES OR ELECTRONICS WILL GET WET. It's your responsibility to keep them in something waterproof. Use at your own risk.