Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Firecracker Run

Year 41 — and America's 250th Birthday!

This is the one you don't want to miss.
The Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Club is fired up to bring you the 2026 Firecracker — and this year is unlike any other. Our nation is celebrating its 250th birthday, and we're throwing the party Santa Cruz style: lace up your shoes, hit the pavement, and kick off Independence Day the way this community has for over four decades at Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz CA.

We're calling all runners, walkers, families, and friends — our goal is 1,000+ runners this year! 

That's right. We want to make the 2026 Firecracker the biggest in our history. So grab your crew, sign up your neighbors, rope in your coworkers, and let's pack Harvey West Park on the Fourth of July. Whether you're chasing a PR or pushing a stroller, there's a course for you. 

You can view the 10K route by clicking on the link below:

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2180336

You can see the 5K course by clicking on the link below:

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2180371

 
Please consider joining our illustrious and growing list of Firecracker sponsors

Since 1985, the Firecracker has been a Santa Cruz Independence Day tradition.
Started by the City of Santa Cruz in 1985, this jewel of a race was adopted by the
Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Club in 2004 to continue the club’s tradition of
raising funds for deserving charities. 

We’re proud to announce that this year’s main Firecracker beneficiary is the For the Kids Foundation Monterey Bay.

 
To make the Firecracker successful in raising money for charity, we rely on our sponsors!
We are looking for philanthropic individuals with a passion to improve their community
to get involved and sponsor the Firecracker charity runs. Please consider supporting
this year’s Firecracker charity runs at one of the following sponsorship levels.

There are two easy ways to become a sponsor

Visit our Sponsorship site and explore the various available sponsorship levels and
benefits then lock in your sponsorship via secure online payment 

~ or ~

Download and complete a Sponsorship Request Form then send it in with your check.
(After opening the form, click on the "Download" icon in the upper right of the page.)

You may also request an invoice for your sponsorship by contacting us at Sponsorships@SantaCruzFirecracker10k.org

You can check out each Firecracker course by clicking on the course link for the 10K, 5K and 1K courses.

You can view all of the courses listed in the Course Map tab.

Pre-Race Packet Pickup

Friday, July 4th - 3 to 7 pm at Woodhouse Brewery, 119 Madrone Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Saturday, July 4 - RACE DAY

7:00 am to 8:30 Harvey West Park at the Clubhouse by the Start Line!

Parking at Costco - Please park by 7:15 to ensure that you can get parked.

Start Times

• 8:00am - Kid's 1K starts by Costco Parking Lot

• 8:30am - 10K Starts on Harvey West Blvd

• 8:40am - 5K Starts on Harvey West Blvd

After the Race  (approx 10:00 am)- Awards and Brunch Served in Harvey West Park

You can view the Kid's 1K route by clicking on the link below:

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2180375

Celebrate the 41st Annual Firecracker & America's 250th Birthday 

This is one you don't want to miss!

The Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Club is fired up to bring you the 2026 Firecracker — and this year is unlike any other. Our nation is celebrating its 250th birthday, and we're throwing the party Santa Cruz style: lace up your shoes, hit the pavement, and kick off Independence Day the way this community has for over four decades at Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz, CA.

We're calling all runners, walkers, families, and friends — our goal is

1,000+ runners this year! 

That's right. We want to make the 2026 Firecracker the biggest in our history. So grab your crew, sign up your neighbors, rope in your coworkers, and let's pack Harvey West Park on the Fourth of July. Whether you're chasing a PR or pushing a stroller, there's a run for you. 

Three courses. One incredible morning.

10K — Take on the legendary "Thrill of the Hill" through Pogonip Park, top out on the Spring Trail winding through the stunning UCSC meadow, then drop back down through the westside neighborhoods and finish strong at Harvey West Park. This one earns its reputation.

5K — Flat, fast, and contained entirely in the Harvey West Business Park area. The 5K course is stroller, ADA, and wheelchair accessible — everyone is welcome.

Kid's 1K Fun Run — Get the littles in on the action! A fun, kid-friendly course to kick off race morning.

(Click on the Course Map tab above to see maps for all three courses.)

⏱️ Race Start Times
    8:00 AM – Kid’s 1K
    8:30 AM – 10K
    8:40 AM – 5K

After the run everyone ends up Harvey West Park to celebrate. 

🌯 Burrito + Izzy's Ice 🏅 Awards at Harvey West Park (approx. 10:00 AM)

Refer a Runner! When you register, you'll have the option to refer 5 people — friends or family.If all five register for the race, you'll get an automatic refund on your registration. Total 5 referrals for the 5K and 10K earn a $10 refund, and for the 1K it's a $5 refund. So what are you waiting for — Pay it Forward and claim your refunds!

The Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Club is proud that 100% of runner proceeds support local youth. Our 2026 beneficiary will be announced soon — stay tuned! What won't change is our commitment: every registration dollar goes right back into helping kids in Santa Cruz County.

We'd like to thank all of our fantastic sponsors for your support.