4th of July 5K races can be a great way to get together with family and friends, before you break out the grill!

July 4th, 2024 lands on Thursday this year and there is only one race on Friday July 5th. I did not find any holiday themed races on Saturday or Sunday.

Each year we seem to flip from Spring to Summer weather overnight. If you haven’t done much running in these summer temps, pace yourself and get plenty of fluids.

Most of these races happen early in the day before it gets too warm out and before it is pool and grill time!

Click on the race title for registration and additional race details.

This July 4th race directory is brought to you by the My First 5K Medal. The medal for all first time 5K runners.

Thomaston 4th of July Annual Firecracker 5K Road Race

Thomaston, ME | Beechwood Street | 8:30 AM

5K Run 8:30 a.m. and Kid’s Fun Run 8:00 a.m. Check-in in front of the old Grange Hall at 7:00 a.m.

Preregistration – 5K $20.00 and Kid’s Fun Run $5.00 on or before Monday, June 27th and will include a race T-shirt. There will be a $2.75 processing fee per runner added at check out.
Day of race registration 7:00 – 8:00 AM. – 5K $25.00 and Kid’s Fun Run $10.00 (cash or check). T-shirt is not guaranteed.

Friends on the Fourth

Winthrop, ME | 117 Bowdoin St. | 8AM

The “Friends on the 4th” 5K course is a forgiving, “feel good” race open for all runners, joggers and walkers. After a loop through downtown Main Street, most of the course follows the beautiful eastern shore of Maranacook Lake.

Registration is $30

Stars & Stripes 5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run

Rangeley, ME | 25 Dallas Hill Rd | 9:00AM

The Stars and Stripes Event includes a 5K Run/Walk and a (free) Kids Fun Run/Obstacle Course.

Registration is $45, Kid’s run is free but registration is required.

The course is paved and will take participants through the beautiful downtown of Rangeley, Maine. The scenic 5K route is challenging enough for serious runners, yet can be navigated by all age groups and athletic levels.

Leashed pets are welcome and the route is stroller friendly!

This year, the race will start and finish with a beautiful view of the lake, at Rangeley Health and Wellness Pavilion on Dallas Hill Rd in Rangeley, Maine.

All 5k registrants will receive a Stars & Stripes T-shirt if registered before June 1, 2023.

T-shirts are not included with Family Fun Run registrations but kids will receive a festive goody bag and an ice cream cone from the Frosty.

Awards for first adult female and male 5K finishers will be presented, as well as first place girl and boy under 18.

Patriotic themed outfits are strongly encouraged and will be awarded with discounted registration for our 2025 5K!

All Proceeds support the health and wellness initiatives of Rangeley Health and Wellness, a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization.

Boxford July 4th Road Race

Boxford, MA | 1 Elm Street | 8:00AM | 8:15AM

The Boxford Mile begins at 8:00AM, the 5 miler and 2.5 miler begin at 8:15AM.

Registration is $35 for adults and $30 for youth under 17.

Shirts are guaranteed for the first 275 registrations.

Proceeds support the Jennifer Tinney Scholarship Fund at Masconomet High School. The race is followed by the Boxford 4th of July parade and fun activities for the family at the East Boxford Fire Station.

I’ve run this race several times and it is nicely done. There is the small town, friendly feel to the races. One year I ran the 1 miler and the 5 miler.

Nantucket Firecracker 5K Run & Walk

Nantucket | 10 Young’s Way | 8:00AM

This 4th of July 5K event features a scenic course starting and ending at Jetties Beach. Run through residential areas including Beach Street, the Cliff with the finish on Hulbert Ave and Bathing Beach

Registration is $50. Race Day Registration starts at 6:00AM at Jetties Beach. Pre-race packet pickup at the Nantucket Health Club is encourages.

They expect 1,000 runners and walkers so I wouldn’t wait to register.

Shirts for the first 500 runners and walkers to pick up their bib and timing chip. Yep, a timing chip!

Shamrock Bill Feeney 5K

Woburn, MA | Spence Farm | 8:15AM kids race | 9:00AM 5K

Registration is $35 for the run or walk, kid’s run is FREE

The Feeney 5k is the Shamrock’s signature event and will be a good time as always – kids’ fun run before and beer, cash prizes, and live music after! As always, proceeds go toward awarding college scholarships to Woburn high school track runners. Our annual race is in celebration of one of one of our founding members, Bill Feeney.

Proceeds from the Feeney 5K race go to the Annual Bill Feeney/Coach O’Connor scholarships awarded to Woburn Memorial High School Students.

Billington Memorial 5K

Somerset, MA | Pierce Beach, South St. | 8:30AM

This 5k run follows the scenic Taunton River along Riverside Avenue. It is mostly flat with two small hills.

Registration is $30 and $35 on race day.

All runners will receive a t-shirt, awards for top finishers and post race refreshments for all.

Independence Day 5K

Needham, MA | Needham Library | 8:30AM

This 5K Road Race is a Needham staple for the 4th of July holiday. This year the Race will take place on Thursday July 4th and begin at 8:30am.

Registration is $35, $25 for virtual participation and $30 for Adaptive Registration.

The first 400 registrants will receive a limited edition t-shirt.

All proceeds will benefit the Charles River YMCA and help make it possible for all members of our local community to benefit from our programs and memberships.

Duxbury Education Foundation July 4th Road Race

Duxbury, MA | Duxbury High | 8:00AM kid’s run | 8:30AM 5K

This annual event is a wonderful, family friendly 5k that will take you around beautiful Powder Point in Duxbury on the morning of July 4th.

Kids Fun Run
RECOMMENDED AGE: Under 8. There will be a half mile kids fun run which will begin at 8AM so you can watch the little ones run before the actual 5k begins at 8:30AM. This is a great way for Chandler-aged kids to get moving! There will be t-shirts for the Fun Run participants this year!!!!

Registration is $35 for adults, $30 for under 18 and $25 for 12 and under. Kid’s fun run is FREE with registration required.

The Duxbury Education Foundation (DEF) organizes the event. Proceeds will to be used to develop, support and assist programs which benefit the students, teachers, and staff of the Duxbury public school system.

Runners receive a Unisex or youth T-Shirt.
Bibs and t-shirts can be picked up at the Steele Building on Sunday July 2nd from 9-12pm or Monday July 3rd from 4-7pm.

Springfield’s Big Fourth 5K

Basketball Hall of Fame | West Columbus Ave | 9:00AM

Brought to you by the Greater Springfield Harriers running club!

This flat and fast, out and back course starts and finishes at the Basketball Hall of Fame on West Columbus Ave in Springfield, MA. Course Map

Registration is $25 through July 2nd and $30 on race day, $20 Students 17 & under, $25 race day.

Race Shirts are available for the first 200 pre-registered runners.
Food and refreshments will be available after the race.

Lynnfield Athletic Assoc July 4th 5K

Lynnfield, MA | 55 Summer Street | 9:00AM

The LAA July 4th 5K is back in person after a hiatus for COVID. A virtual run is also available.

This family friendly event in now in it’s 57th year!

I ran this race in 2015. It was a fairly small race with about 150 runners. I would agree that it is a family friendly event without the post race beer garden.

Registration is $40 in person and $25 for the virtual race. Prices increase June 25th.

Norwood Firecracker 5K

Norwood, MA | 556 Washington Street | 5:00PM

This Flat and Fast, Out and Back course is along the Norwood 4th of July Parade Route! Run in front of thousands of cheering spectators!

Registration is $20 and $30 for Race Day Registration. T-shirts to the first 100 registered runners.

Prizes for top 3 overall male and female finishers

Medals for top 3 finishers in each age group

Plymouth 4th of July 5K

DCR Pilgrim Memorial State Park | Water Street | 7:30AM

The race features a new route for 2024, there will be over all and age-group awards.

Registration is $30 for adults, $25 for students under 17 and $20 for 10 and under or 70+. July 3rd and 4th prices increase $5.00.

Shirts can be purchased during registration for $10.00.

Firecracker Classic Road Race

Cotuit, MA | July 5 | Friday | 6:00PM kid’s events, 6:15PM 5K

Join the Independence Day weekend tradition in the beautiful village of Cotuit. The approximately 5K course is fast and mostly flat and provides runners with a lovely tour through the village to finish at historic Lowell Field, the home of the Cotuit Kettleers Cape League Baseball team.

Your registration includes 2 free beers and food at the after party.

Registration is $37 for adults and $10 for kid’s race.

Prizes for fastest overall male and female runners will be Large Cherry Pies from Centerville Pie! EVERY age category winner will get a small small cherry pie. Age categories: 10 and under, 11-17,18-29,30-39,40-49,50-59,60-69,70-79,80-89,90-99

Every kids race finisher will win a FREE ice cream cone from Polar Cave!

Proceeds Benefit: Barnstable Land Trust, Cotuit Athletic Association, Cotuit Santuit Civic Association, Cape Cod Challenger Club.