FireKracker 5k Recap - Green Events

The FireKracker 5k Race Recap

By Anna Petr

The city of Fort Collins came alive with excitement as runners of all ages gathered to participate in the highly anticipated 24th annual Firekracker 5k on a beautiful July morning. The event offered something for everyone, with a citizen’s race, an elite four-lap criterium 5k that featured both elite men’s and women’s and a master’s field, and a Kid’s 1-Mile race promising a day filled with fierce competition and camaraderie. The festivities extended beyond the race with an array of activities that captivated the entire community.

The day kicked off with the Citizen’s Race, attracting a diverse group of participants, from beginners to seasoned runners. The 5k route wound through the picturesque streets of Fort Collins, offering scenic views of the city’s landmarks. Dani Cook was the female winner of the citizens race with a time of 18:02. Dani had recently finished Grandma’s marathon and was able to win a race about 23 miles shorter demonstrating her versatility of speed and endurance. “It was nice because when I started hurting I could just tell myself ‘oh, I’m almost done’” she said. The male winner, Joseph Houdeshell, finished in 16:14, with only five seconds separating the top three runners! Joseph runs at Western Colorado and said next year he’ll be looking to run in the elite race! Runners cheered each other on, embracing the spirit of friendly competition and personal achievements.

Click here to see all the results: FireKracker 5k Results

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the excitement escalated with the arrival of the elite 5k race. Spectators lined the course, witnessing incredible displays of talent and determination. The elite women’s runners showcased their speed and endurance, pushing each other to new heights. Weyneshet Weldetsadik put on a show with the rest of the elite women and ran a time of 16:19! Simultaneously, the master’s field exhibited their wealth of experience and dedication, inspiring all who watched. Ben Payne led the way for the masters from start to finish line, no one was able to catch him with his time of 15:18! Shelley MacDonald also represented the masters women section of the race well with a speedy time of 17:38.

Following closely behind, the elite men’s field took off 2 minutes after the elite women with unwavering determination. These remarkable athletes exhibited incredible athleticism and competitive spirit, igniting the atmosphere with their breathtaking performances. The race unfolded in thrilling fashion as each runner vied for the top spot, making it a nail-biting spectacle for all as they raced laps around City Park. Lawrence Kipkoech demolished the course set before him in a time of 14:23, with many other fast elites on his tail! This year there was an exceptional prize purse sponsored by the Fort Collins Running Club to race for, with a total of $6,500 split between the top seven finishers of the open field and top 3 masters runners.

The excitement didn’t end with the 5k events, as the Kid’s 1-Mile Race brought a wave of joy and enthusiasm. Young participants laced up their shoes and dashed towards the finish line, beaming with pride as they received their well-earned medals. The cheers from the crowd filled the air, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The festivities continued throughout the day, with Fort Collins bustling with excitement after the race and the parade coming right down Mountain Avenue. While the day’s plans were hindered by rain and thunderstorms, eventually fireworks were able to be set off. After a gloomy afternoon, the explosions that pained the dark sky provided a perfect ending to a day of celebration.

The Firekracker 5k in Fort Collins proved to be more than just a race; it was a celebration of athleticism, community, and the freedom to come together and enjoy life’s pleasures. As runners and spectators departed with hearts full of cherished memories, they eagerly looked forward to the next year’s festivities!

The FireKracker 5k is owned by the Fort Collins Running Club, a 501c3 non-profit, with the mission to promote running in Fort Collins. FCRC does so by providing an enjoyable and positive running atmosphere, providing competitive and participatory events for runners of all abilities and interests, and promoting the healthful benefits, both physical and mental, that running can provide.

The funds raised from the FireKracker 5k go to support CARA Track and youth running programs in Fort Collins.

Thank you to our sponsors, we couldn’t do it without you!

These events could not happen without the support of sponsors. If you love local running, please make sure to notice the event sponsors and make it a point to shop their stores, use their services, or give them a shout out or thank you. By sponsoring events these businesses are putting people over profits and specifically showing their support of the running community. We are so grateful for their involvement.