Sportspectrum Firecracker 5k Race for Research

   Welcome to the 40th Anniversary of the Sportspectrum Firecracker 5k Race for Research Run & Healthwalk.
Thanks so much to our Title Sponsor, Spine Institute of Louisiana Foundation. The Spine Institute of Louisiana Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization whose mission is to improve current spine treatments and develop new ones through innovative research. Thousands of patients in the Ark-La-Tex have directly benefited as a result of the research that is done through the Foundation.  The Spine Institute of Louisiana has received International recognition from the research performed at its research Foundation.  Donations directly benefit spine research at the Spine Institute of Louisiana Foundation.   This race is also being run in the memory of three great friends. Ran Kiper, Jim Wilhite, & Robin Fell. They all had a passion for the great outdoors, from a Saturday morning jog with “the group” to a competitive half-marathon down on the Riverfront. They were all leaders, giving their time and resources to organizations and individuals in need. They loved their families and friends, and were committed to living life to its fullest.
The 1996 Firecracker 5K was Ran Kiper’s last foot race. The following day he was diagnosed with cancer and passed away that September. Men’s mug #101 is in memory of Ran Kiper.

 

5k Registration:
$22 thru June 1
$27 June 2 thru June 22 
$32 June 23  thru July 3 Race day    $40.00
  Kids 1/2 mile fun run:
$15.00 until July 3 Race day   $20.00
 
Date:  Thursday, July 4, 2024

 

Fun run: 7:30am. All kids participating in the 1/2 mile fun run will be awarded a finishers medal. Entry fee for Kid’s Fun Run (ages 10 & under) is $15.00 and will include an Official Race t-shirt. (Do not wait until the last minute to sign up. Kids fun run shirts limited to the first 200) Course Description:  5K (3.1 miles) will start and finish at Mall St. Vincent Parking Lot (directly behind Sears)  Race will proceed through historic South Highland Subdivision, one of Shreveport’s oldest & most beautiful neighborhoods. A scenic and challenging road race for runners, walkers, and sightseers. 
 
Early Packet Pickup:  Below are the packet pick dates and times at Sportspectrum, 6970 Fern Avenue. Monday June 24th through Friday June 28th - 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday June 29th from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday June 30th from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday July 1st thru Wednesday July 3rd from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Race day at the race site from 6:45 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.

You can register on race morning but you are not guaranteed a race t-shirt.

  Race shirts: Again this year you get your choice of either a short sleeve tee t-shirt or a tank top (adult sizes only for tank tops). Please make sure you select the right item when you are registering. You may purchase additional t-shirts or tank tops for an additional $10.00 each.
 
Race Day Registration & Check-In:  Mall St. Vincent parking lot behind Sears, 6:50 a.m. —7:45 a.m. race day check-in.  You may register race day, but we recommend early registration to guarantee T-shirt.  Race day Registration is $40.00. ***Please note that we will not hold or mail race shirts. All race shirts not picked up by the start of the race will be given to our wonderful volunteers***

 

  Sponsored by:  SPORTSPECTRUM  &  SPINE INSTITUTE OF LOUISIANA FOUNDATION   Food Sponsors:  DILLAS PRIMO QUESADILLAS   Drink Sponsors:  GREAT RAFT, NESTLE WATERS, EAGLE DISTRIBUTORS, GATORADE, RHINO COFFEE   Sound, Music Mix, Emcee & Entertainment Coordinator/Sponsor:  B. WOODROW NESBITT, JR.   Contributing Sponsors:  D-1, FOSTER'S ORTHODONTICS, MALL ST. VINCENT, SPORTSPECTRUM RACE MANAGEMENT, BROOKS, RYAN BATES, TEAM RWB, SPECIALISTS HEALTH SYSTEM.   Special Thanks: THE SRM TEAM, BUTCH JORDAN, THE COSST SWIM TEAM, & ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS!     Awards: Overall Male & Female winners receive $500 each, 2nd Overall Male & Female winners receive $250 each. Checks will be mailed. That way the winners do not have to hang around until everyone is done.  First 101 Men and First 100 Female Finishers will be awarded a 40th Anniversary Commemorative Mug. No age group trophies will be awarded, just come out and have fun!  A great way to start your July 4th activities.

 

***We will be doing random drawings for those that finish throughout the race for 10- $25.00 gift cards to Sportspectrum. Gift card winners will be notified by email after the race.

 

$2500.00 in Prize Money to be won!
Overall Male & Female Winner Win $500.00 each!
Overall runner-up Male & Female winners win $250.00 each!
  Beat the course record and Win an additional $500!!
Course Records
Men’s 2014       Ben Chesars      14:38               Women 2020         Taylor Dare      16:43

  Post Party:  Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, fresh fruit from Santa Maria Produce, ice cold Great Raft Beer, Ozarka Ice cold water, & Rhino Coffee.     Course Description:  5K (3.1 miles) will start and finish at Mall St. Vincent Parking Lot (directly behind Sears)  Race will proceed through historic South Highland Subdivision, one of Shreveport’s oldest & most beautiful neighborhoods. A scenic and challenging road race for runners, walkers, and sightseers.      Race Day Entertainment Galore!  Enjoy the BWN LTD./Sportspectrum 12 speaker stereo sound system! ●  Judge Woody’s famous FIRECRACKER-RACE MUSIC! ●  Pre-race toe tappin’ C & W and ROCK PATRIOTIC TUNES!  ●  A ROUSING RACE START program with PATRIOTIC TUNES, BEACH BALLS  ●  MUSIC SURPRISES ON THE COURSE!  ● IN THE FINISH CHUTE the WORLD’S BEST PATRIOTIC FINISHING MUSIC!! 
    Baby Joggers:  Strollers, wagons, baby joggers, and any hand pushed or pulled vehicle will be allowed on the course, but at a walk pace capacity only.  Absolutely NO in-line skates, roller skates will be allowed on run course. This rule is an RRCA regulation!   WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!  If you would like to be a volunteer in any capacity before, during, or after the race, please call Matt McVicar at 798.1241 or send your name and phone number to [email protected] Subject: Firecracker Volunteer.