Submitted by Roxy Baker
Peoria, IL, Start your 4th of July off on the right foot with the Peoria Jaycees’ 27th running of the Firecracker 5000. Avid runners, amateurs, and children of all ages are encouraged to join in on the fun! The Firecracker 5000, a 5 kilometer foot race through downtown Peoria and the scenic riverfront will again be held on the morning of July 4th.
Registration is $25 from June 1st-23rd. Runners can also register at packet pick up at Kelleher’s on June 28th, from 10:00 am-2 pm, or day of, July 4th for $30. Interested parties can pick up registration forms at Running Central on Main and Sheridan, Dunham’s Discount Sports, or by visiting www.jaycees.com. T-shirt availability is based on a first come first serve basis, so the earlier you register the better likelihood you will receive a shirt.

This is an exciting year for the Firecracker with the inclusion of chip timing and wave starts, with the first wave at 7:30 am. The event is a part of the Illinois Striders Grand Prix. Co-chair, Tamara Ruth, is hopeful that this year’s upgrades will only help to improve on an already successful project for the Peoria Jaycees.
Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Diabetes Foundation, Catholic Charities, Crime Stoppers, Peoria Children’s Home, & the Peoria Jaycees

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ABOUT - The Jaycees is a young person’s leadership training organization. The organization was developed for people ages 21-40 to hone their leadership skills while improving their communities. For more info on the Jaycees please visit www.jaycees.com, www.iljaycees.org, or www.usjaycees.org.