The L.A. Chinatown Firecracker 5K/10K is one of the largest and oldest running races in the U.S. with its upcoming Lunar New Year run, walk, cycling and dog walk events held at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza. The 5K run/walk is an out and back course that takes participants …
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The L.A. Chinatown Firecracker 5K/10K is one of the largest and oldest running races in the U.S. with its upcoming Lunar New Year run, walk, cycling and dog walk events held at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza.
The 5K run/walk is an out and back course that takes participants past Dodger Stadium. The 10K course is a challenging run through the hills of Elysian Park. From N. Broadway, the course climbs up into the park to higher elevations. The course winds high over the Figueroa Tunnels above the 110 freeway, through tree-lined rolling hills providing a spectacular 180-degree view of the city. The timed runs are USATF sanctioned.
Established in 1978, Firecracker has since grown to include a Bike Ride, Kiddie Run and 2K PAW’er Dog Walk and serves the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area with support from the City of Los Angeles. All proceeds are reinvested into the community, in support of elementary schools and non-profit organizations, providing services and programs that benefit local neighborhoods.
Enjoy Lunar New Year Celebrations in the heart of historic Chinatown with an opening ceremony filled with lion dancers and the traditional lighting of 100,000 firecrackers plus a 2-day FREE Expo including exhibitors, beer garden, activities, live entertainment. The Firecracker Festival is held in conjunction with the Bike Ride and PAW’er Walk on Saturday and the 5K Walk, 5K Run and 10k Run on Sunday. The festival includes exhibitors and activities for children and plenty of live entertainment.
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Community fair with a race
Loop around Elysian Psrk and Dodgers Stadium so it has 600 ft of vert, but also, same amount of downhill. Big community fair, art performances, and race. Nothing else like … MORE
Loop around Elysian Psrk and Dodgers Stadium so it has 600 ft of vert, but also, same amount of downhill. Big community fair, art performances, and race. Nothing else like it in LA. Proceeds go to local schools and community programs. We need more of this to combat corporate take over of running events. Having a dog fair and walk on Saturday and bike ride added to the fun.
Challenging but fun 10K
This race is a challenge but it is worth it. Unfortunately I had to work the day before so I couldn't pick up my packet saturday and get the noodles. … MORE
This race is a challenge but it is worth it. Unfortunately I had to work the day before so I couldn’t pick up my packet saturday and get the noodles. However sunday went very smooth. I arrived early and found a $5 parking lot right nearby. Bib pick up was easy but it likely took longer if you showed up later. The T-shirt is my absolute favorite race shirt with year of the rat theme. Somehow they made the rat cute. You also got a drawstring bag with rice and crackers. There were a ton of vendors and I got so much free stuff (clif bar, cold brew, energy drink, green juice, etc) that the race practically paid for itself. The start is super fun with the dragon dancers. I do wish they at least had suggested waves or something telling walkers to go to the back because there were people walking in rows of three or four that I had to run around in the beginning. The first 2.5 miles of this race are pretty much straight uphill in Elysian park. I did not do enough hill training for this race and had to walk a small portion of the uphill. You are rewarded with some beautiful views of LA and also pass by Dodger stadium. The next mile is amazing and you fly downhill. The rest of the race is mostly downhill but there are 2 smaller hills in last 3 miles. In some ways these were mentally worse than the beginning because you thought you were done with hills. This was definitely the most challenging road 10K course I have done. But it was very rewarding. I would not recommend it to those looking to PR or for someone’s first 10K. I was happy with my finishing time. I didn’t come close to a PR but I ran it in my average, usual 10K time and this is not an average race in terms of difficulty. The medal is nice and double sided with the cute little rat. Highly recomend for those who are looking for a challenge and love hills. Overall very fun event and even if you don’t love hills as long as you don’t mind walking some of the uphill you will enjoy it.
Aw Rats!
2020, the year of the rat, marked my 2nd year riding in the Firecracker 40 mile bike ride with my husband. Unlike the run on Saturday, the bike ride is … MORE
2020, the year of the rat, marked my 2nd year riding in the Firecracker 40 mile bike ride with my husband. Unlike the run on Saturday, the bike ride is not a race and is not timed. It is an open course and you must obey all traffic laws.
Packet pick-up is only available on race morning, starting at 7:00 am. The 40 mile ride started at 8:00 am and the 20 mile ride started at 8:20 am.
The course was mostly well marked. There were a few turns where we did not see any route arrows. Luckily, there always happened to be a course marshall at any turn we would have otherwise missed. There seemed to be more course marshalls this year than last year. In the first mile, I experienced problems with the gears of my bike. When I pulled over to the side, two course marshalls stopped to see how they could assist me.
There were 3 aid stations stocked with Nuun, water, peanut butter, apples, bananas, trail mix, SLS gel and a few other items. The volunteers were absolutely fantastic.
Around mile 35, my husband had to stop for a few minutes due to a cramp in his leg. A race support van (with bike mechanics) drove up to us to make sure we were ok.
I preferred the course we rode in 2019 vs the 2020 course, but still enjoyed the ride. This year we rode through Griffith Park (my least favorite part), over to Pasadena, down to the Huntington Library in San Marino, then through South Pasadena before heading back to Chinatown.
Crossing the finish line was rather little anti-climatic as there was no arch and no event photographers. Most of the post race snacks were gone, but the beer garden certainly made up for it. There was also free chow-mein, which we devoured. They also offered a free bike valet so you could check your bike and enjoy the festivities.
My husband and I plan on completing this ride 12 years in a row so that we can collect the entire series of medals.
Runniing for fun-100% of race fees ///
I did this race for fun as 100% of the race fees go to non-profits in the area. This race draws about 9,000 but has a hometown feel. It starts … MORE
I did this race for fun as 100% of the race fees go to non-profits in the area. This race draws about 9,000 but has a hometown feel. It starts up with lion dance and then firecracker go off. This race was about thanking the volunteers and the sponsers who stepped up to make this race fun – cute shirt as someone designed it was sense of humor – you will not run the race for the medal but after party – choose bear or watching more local Chinese talent – it was race for the family – they had special 5k runner start, followed by 5k walkers start; I just wish they would start the 10K first which is why I opted down from 10k to 5k
Great time to get together with friends
Well managed race with a great opening race dedication with the dancing dragons and fireworks. The beer garden is always a rockin’ time. ********************************* MORE
Well managed race with a great opening race dedication with the dancing dragons and fireworks. The beer garden is always a rockin’ time. *********************************
Great race with only one hiccup
Received an entry from the sponsor brewery Angel City. Arrived just over an hour before the race, found free parking in a large lot fairly close by. Packet pickup was … MORE
Received an entry from the sponsor brewery Angel City. Arrived just over an hour before the race, found free parking in a large lot fairly close by. Packet pickup was a breeze, left me plenty of time to take it back to my car and get a decent warm-up in. The race started a few minutes late, no biggie. There was a lot of dodging walkers and kids at the start, luckily the road was pretty wide. The first mile and a half has A LOT of hills, mostly of the uphill variety, but the views of downtown were great. Once I hit the 1 mile marker I noticed that my watch was only at .80 miles, figured they had just put it in the wrong spot. The second half was mostly downhill with a few small climbs sprinkled in. Upon finishing, my watch said 2.9 miles. Later in the day I looked at the map on their site and they seem to have forgot to add a small out and back before heading up in to the hilly sections. The medal was really cool, a spinner with the year of the dog on one side and firecracker logo on the other. The after party was great, plenty of Angel City beer and a great DJ, she kept everyone entertained. I initially thought the beer garden was too big, but once the 10K runners came in it was packed! All in all it was a fun time and great race, I’m sure the short course was just an accidental oversight. Will most likely do it again next year.
Fantastically Challenging
The first half of the course is hill after hill after hill. Then downhill. Woohoo. This was a challenging race bacause of all the hills. It will push you to … MORE
The first half of the course is hill after hill after hill. Then downhill. Woohoo. This was a challenging race bacause of all the hills. It will push you to the limit every time you can look ahead and see yet another hill. It will make you stronger overall. The one downside was bag pickup. After the race we stood in line for about 40min to pick up our bag we had checked in!! The line for bag pick up stretched for about 2 blocks!!!! Come on!!! If they only had a better system for picking up bags then I could of also stood in the horribly long line for the beer garden. I felt like One line or the other. The medal is cool, the shirt will be just a shirt for the honey do list around the house, nothing special. Al in all… see you next year.
Challenging, hilly 10k
Hilly!!! Challenging course. I love their tee-shirts and always buy several of their designs on race day. Medals are cool: Heavy, large, coin like medals with red ribbon. I love … MORE
Hilly!!! Challenging course. I love their tee-shirts and always buy several of their designs on race day. Medals are cool: Heavy, large, coin like medals with red ribbon. I love the carbo load giveaway (noodles). I love the community element. Can be a bit disorganized, depends on the year. Great entertainment before and after.
Challenging course, grate competition
Line up in front pack, first mile is gradual up slope, you'll catch the steep up hill on second mile, then a heavy down hill, third mile is long down … MORE
Line up in front pack, first mile is gradual up slope, you’ll catch the steep up hill on second mile, then a heavy down hill, third mile is long down slope, easy on the second and give it all on the third mile.
Really fun event
Was a really fun event with the dragon dancers before the run. Out and back course with a few hills. Cool swag too. Then dumplings are close by for post-race … MORE
Was a really fun event with the dragon dancers before the run. Out and back course with a few hills. Cool swag too. Then dumplings are close by for post-race meal. And I got third place in my age group the day after my first 20 miler!
It's a fun race.
The course changed this year from last. It's a popular race. The course wasn't too challenging; just a steady incline and after the turn around a decline. My only complaint … MORE
The course changed this year from last. It’s a popular race. The course wasn’t too challenging; just a steady incline and after the turn around a decline. My only complaint is the course was narrow at times and runners are sharing the course with walkers and strollers. I saw a few people trip and fall 🙁 Overall, I’ll continue to do this race because it is fun.