_ The 2020 Sportspectrum Firecracker 5k Race for Research:

Welcome to the 36th Anniversary of the Sportspectrum Firecracker 5k Race for Research Run & Healthwalk. This coming July 4th, our Nation’s Birthday promises to be celebrated with a special passion and purpose by Americans from coast to coast. The 35th running also brings a special milestone to myself and this great run. The year was 1985, Springlake Point Apartments, and about 45 weekend warriors took the streets of Springlake to run the first Annual Firecracker. Scott Smith was our first overall male with a time of 15:37 and Terry Davis won the ladies crown in 19:00 flat. It has been a great ride and a lot of fun sharing my July 4th with all my favorite friends. Special thanks to my family who does not know a holiday without a run! Thanks to Lamar and Peggy, who watch each year from above. Thank you Woody who makes the morning come alive with patriotic music. Thanks to Ann and Weldon, Clark, Matt, Jeff, Mike, David, and John! And thank you Charlotte for the 30 fun filled Firecracker memories we have shared together.

Thanks so much to our Title Sponsor, Spine Institute of Louisiana Foundation. 80% of Americans experience back pain or spine disease.  It is one of the most debilitating health problems that we face.  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 —I miss you guys!!
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.

Sponsored by:  SPORTSPECTRUM  &  SPINE INSTITUTE OF LOUISIANA FOUNDATION

Food Sponsors: CLARK’S TAILGATE CATERING, TWISTED ROOT, & RHINO COFFEE

Lead Vehicle: HEBERT’S TOWN and COUNTRY

Drink Sponsors:  GREAT RAFT, NESTLE WATERS, EAGLE DISTRIBUTORS

Sound, Music Mix, Emcee & Entertainment Coordinator/Sponsor:  B. WOODROW NESBITT, JR.

Contributing Sponsors: MALL ST. VINCENT, D-1, SPORTSPECTRUM RACE MANAGEMENT,  SHREVEPORT BOSSIER TOURISM BUREAU, BROOKS, RYAN BATES, TEAM RWB, SPECIALISTS HEALTH SYSTEM.

Special Thanks: THE SRM TEAM, BUTCH JORDAN, THE COSST SWIM TEAM, & ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS!

Bring the whole family out and start your July 4th celebration the healthy way, enjoy a HUGE Health Expo and help to raise money for Spine Research!

Pre-registration is $20.00 until midnight May 15th.  Mailed entries must be postmarked May 15 or before to be accepted as a $20.00 entry. 

May 16 - June 27   $25.00 

June 28 - July 3     $30.00

(online registration closes at 8:00 a.m. on July 3rd)

Race day    $40.00

Kids 1/2 mile fun run:

$12.00 until July 3

Race day   $15.00

Date:  Saturday Morning, July 4, 2020

Starting Time: 5K Run, Healthwalk, & Stroll — 8:00AM

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 $12.00 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:  Race packets may be picked up at Sportspectrum starting

Monday, June 29 from 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.,

Tuesday, June 30 from 10:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 1 from 1-5 p.m.,

Thursday, July 2 from 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.,

Friday, July 3 from 10:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Race Day Registration & Check-In:  Mall St. Vincent parking lot behind Sears, 7:00—7:55 AM race day check-in.  You may register race day, but we recommend early registration to guarantee T-shirt.  Race day Registration is $40.00.

Health Expo: A variety of Exhibitors will be on site providing screenings and information related to neck and back injury prevention, spine wellness, achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and spine surgical and non-surgical treatments.  If you are interested in being an Exhibitor on Race Day, please contact the Research Department at the Spine Institute of Louisiana – 629-6339

Giant Post Party:  Catered fixins by Clark's’ Tailgate Catering, fresh fruit from Santa Maria Produce, ice cold Great Raft Beer, Ozarka Ice cold water, & Rhino Coffee.

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, LIVE, NOT DEAD SINGERS, BEACH BALLS and the 1812 Overture Finale!  ●  MUSIC SURPRISES ON THE COURSE!  ● IN THE FINISH CHUTE the WORLD’S BEST PATRIOTIC FINISHING MUSIC!!  ●  ENJOY THE SOUNDS OF “THE KATALYST” AT THE POST PARTY!

Awards:  First 120 Men and First 80 Female Finishers will be timed and awarded a 36th 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. Come out and get the prized mug for your post race celebration.

$3500.00 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 $1000!!

Course Records

Men’s 2014       Ben Chesars        14:38                   Women 2014          Megan Saloom          17:18

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 or runners with baby strollers 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. Sign up online at www.sportspectrumusa.com