Bryson City Firecracker 5k – July 3, 2010 – Bryson City, NC
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NOTE (Monday, July 5th, 5:55 PM) : I DON’T HAVE RESULTS FROM THE RACE ORGANIZERS YET. WHEN I DO, I WILL POST THEM HERE.
This Firecracker 5k is held in conjunction with Freedom Fest in the quaint little town of Bryson City. Here’s a description of the race and the course …
Join us for the 21st annual Firecracker 5K in Bryson City, North Carolina on July 3rd 2010 at 9:00 AM.
The course is a flat, fast paced road race that starts at the administration building in Bryson City and makes a loop on Deep Creek, near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, before heading back to town. There will be a 4th of July festival in town after the race.
Flat in the mountains – you’ve got to love that! The cost of this race is $20 (or $15 if you don’t want a shirt) up until June 24, 2010. After that, the price goes up $5 ($25 with the shirt or $20 without the shirt).
To register download and print the Bryson City Firecracker 5k Registration Form PDF
Here are detailed directions …
DIRECTIONS TO SWAIN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING – Firecracker 5k
If you are in the Asheville area; take 40 west to Haywood County then take exit 27 (19/23/74 West) and follow the signs for Sylva. Once past Sylva, follow the directions below.
Directions to Bryson City from 19/23 (headed east or west):
Take exit 67 into Bryson City. If you are coming from the Gorge (19/23 East) you will go left at the bottom of the exit. If you are coming from Sylva (19/23 West) you will go right at the bottom of the exit. Once you have made your turn at the bottom of the exit you will be going down a hill past several fast-food restaurants. This road is Veterans Boulevard. Stay on Veterans Boulevard through two stop lights. The first stop light is at the Shell Station intersection, the second stop light is immediately after the first stop light near Kerr Drug. Make sure you don’t turn left at the second stoplight, stay straight (slightly right) on Veterans Boulevard, headed towards the bridge. Cross over the bridge and go past the car lot. At the third stop light you will take a right, this is Mitchell Street. The race begins and ends at the county administration building. It is approximately ¼ mile on the right once you turn on Mitchell Street. It is a light colored brick building with a red/orange roof.
This was a good run. I live in Cherokee and usually go to Brevard or Asheville to run on the 4th of July. It was good to be close to home and to run a good, fast course. The only thing that bothered me and I know that the race officials have no control over was one of the young people (under 15) that was with me was pushed by another runner(also under 15) at the finish line. I hate that a young runner would have to see unsportsman like behavior. This could be a deciding factor if one wants to continue to be in a sport that has so many positive factors.