Real life racing returns to the Manistee Firecracker 5K!

The Manistee Firecracker 5K Run/Walk returned to in person racing in 2021 with the biggest crowd of runners in a decade enjoying a perfect morning of competition!  

The overall male winner of the 5K, Ethan Dapice of Manistee, finished in 18:27, just 5 seconds ahead of runner-up Manistee HS sophomore Abdul Ghennewa.  Long time racer John Lipa of Manistee was the first Masters runner, taking 3rd overall in 18:36.  17 year old Lindsey Barry of Loveland, CO, was the first lady finisher with a time of 20:49, while the first lady Master runner was Manistee's Denny Capling in 21:45.  

Over 350 runners and walkers competed on Saturday, July 3rd, with all proceeds going to support the Manistee Area Community Track.  

Thanks to our sponsors!

Callesen Wealth Management

Parkdale Veterinary & Wellness Center

Blarney Castle Oil & Propane

High-Tech Dental

Family Fare

Ramsdell Inn & TJ's Pub

Sports Ink

Lucky Lizard Awards

 Age Group Results

Overall Results

Manistee Firecracker 5K Run/Walk Returns in Person for 2021!

The Manistee Firecracker 5K Run/Walk will return in person for 2021!  This year's date is set for Saturday July 3rd, 2021, with the 1K Fun Run at 8am and the 5K toeing the line at 8:15am.  

Current pandemic restrictions will be observed, whatever they are at the time.  For now we are capping registration at 300 total entries, so sign up today!  

Once again runners can choose between a specially designed cotton T-shirt or a quick drying tech T-shirt.  Overall trophies will be awarded to the top Male, top Female, top Masters Male (40 - up) and top Master Female, with plaques and medals awarded to the winners of each age group.  

The race is tentatively scheduled to be held at Manistee Middle/High school and will once again run by the Lake Michigan shoreline with a mostly flat course that features one challenging hill on the last mile.

 This 5K race supports the community track in Manistee.  

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

PRINTABLE RACE FORM HERE

RACE COURSE MAP

Please help us thank this year's sponsors!  

Our 2021 main sponsor - Callesen Wealth Management.  

Our sponsors:  Parkdale Veterinary Wellness Center, Blarney Castle, High-Tech Dental, Family Fare, TJ's Pub, Sports Ink, and Lucky Lizard Awards.

contact ethuemmel@manistee.org for any questions
 

Results from 2020 Manistee Jingle Bell Jog 5K

Running in socially distanced groups of 25 of less, the 2020 Manistee Jingle Bell Jog 5K took place on December 19th under rainy, slushy conditions.  Despite the poor weather and pandemic restrictions, the race was a success and organizers were thrilled the race occurred in person.  

Benzie Central HS runners Mylie Kelly (19:11) and Hunter Jones (15:44) posted fantastic results as the runners with the fastest times on the day.  For the walkers, long time winner Ed Zimmerman (43:43) and Kris Johnson & Blythe O'Donnell (tying in 47:48!) had the fastest walking times.  

Overall Race Results

Age group prizes were not awarded this year, due to the staggered starting times and the desire to keep the finish area less crowded.  All participants got awesome finish medals and T-shirts. 

Age Group Results

Thanks for all of the fantastic volunteers from the Manistee HS Cross-Country team and from the Manistee Run Club! Also a huge thank-you to the Tabernacle Church-Manistee for allowing us to use your building as race headquarters this year.  Hopefully 2021 sees a return to normalcy.  

Also thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors!

The Tabernacle - Manistee

CC Jewelers of Manistee

Shelby State Bank

Lisa Fragomeli

Millennial Decor

Morton Salt

Taco ‘Bout It Mexican Fusion

Parkdale Animal Hospital

Diner 31

Bob’s Roofing Company, Inc.

Sadler Machine Tool Inc.

Family Fare

Water’s Edge Dentistry

Boyer Agency

Knizacky Insurance Agency

Backstage Hobbies & Games

Manistee Tire Service

TJ’s Pub & The Ramsdell Inn

Linke’s Body Shop, Inc.

Boehm Family Chiropractic

Manistee Recreation Association

Smith & Eddy - Healthcare Services

Smith & Eddy Insurance

Hogan Plumbing

Lighthouse Title Inc.

Watson’s Manistee Chrysler

You can’t buy love But you can rescue it

Victorian Car Port - Family Used Car Center

Nick & Mary Ann Wreschnig

The Fillmore of Manistee

Revive & Refresh Aesthetics LLC

Christa M Johnson, DC & Alec Johnson 

Kenny - Stella, Hannah, Elwood, Myrtle May

Judge Tom Brunner

Bob & Jane Sievert

Daryl Pieczynski

Coldwell Banker Professionals ALM

Kukla’s 

4Front Credit Union

Super 8 by Wyndham

Manistee Beverage

Simon

Gary Sielski

Kyle Thompson

Kendra Thompson

Mike Thompson

High-Tech Dental

Mika Meyers PLC

Linke Lumber Company

Jane Kedrowski

Northern Spice Company

Dennis & Susan Fischer

NU 2 U

The Swidorski Family

Duchon Insurance Inc.

Mary Sturdevant State Farm Insurance

Sam & Kay Miller

Yvonne Blattenberger

Corey Van Fleet

Mel & Linda Kruse

Tim & Jan Sapak

Mary Gleason

Rick & Karen Tetsworth

Bernie & Debbie Pieczynski

Aubrey Agee & Heidi Alcock

Jan Hopwood

Manistee Jingle Bell Jog 5K 2020 is a go (update 11-25-2020)!

The Manistee Jingle Bell Jog 5K Run/Walk is rescheduled for Saturday, December 19th, at 10am.  (Rescheduling due to new state restrictions on outdoor gatherings).  Come out and join us for this fun and healthy event!  Due to Covid regulations we'll have a few changes for safety purposes, but we're doing our best to have this annual fundraiser for the Manistee Cross-Country programs happen again this year.

New for 2020 - multiple start waves to reduce congestion at the start.  Please choose 5K Race if you normally run a 5K under 30 minutes, 5K Fun Run if you run 30 minutes or more, and 5K walk if you plan on being a race walker.  Remember you must walk every step of the race if you are in the walk division.

While we'll award overall runner and walker prizes, every finisher will get a special medal this year as we will not have an awards ceremony.  

New location and race-course for 2020 - we'll start at finish the Tabernacle Church - Manistee, located at 77 Hancock Street.

Each runner gets a specially designed race-shirt or knitted hat (shirt sizes not guaranteed after Dec. 11th.)  Please register online or mail in your entry prior to Dec. 11th.  Race day registration is still available but we're encouraging everyone to register in advance.  

Contact ethuemmel@manistee.org if you have questions about racing or sponsoring the race.

Register Online

Printable Race Form

Tentative Course Map

Start training now for Manistee Firecracker Virtual 5K 2020!

The 2020 version of the annual Manistee Firecracker 5K has been switched to a virtual race this year, for obvious reasons.  The original date was to be Saturday July 4th, 2020, at Manistee High School. Runners are now able to run the race at any time (or location) and submit their times.



















Here's how it works - run or walk a 5K on your own, or with a friend, anytime between now and July 4th, 2020.  If you live in Manistee, you can run on the traditional race course at any time of your choosing.  Or you can run 3.1 miles anywhere you want - just record your time! 

Finishers get a specially designed cotton race T-shirt (add $5 for a tech shirt) and a special for 2020 finisher's medal. Though we can't be together, please still help support the track & field teams for Manistee schools this summer! Registration is faster and cheaper online, or you can print out and mail a race form. Register through July 4th for $25.


REGISTER ONLINE

PRINTABLE RACE FORM

RACE MAP             VIDEO MAP

FINISHERS - SUBMIT TIMES HERE    (You have until July 18th, 2020 to complete your 5K)



Questions?  ethuemmel@manistee.org   OR 231-233-1433