Ready for a fast, flat course on which you might well set a 5K personal record, instead of another one of those hilly monsters you usually have to run here in the mountains? The come to Bryson City on Wednesday, July 4rd for Freedom Fest and run the 19th Annual Firecracker 5K. Then stay and enjoy all the festivities of Freedom Fest.

Race Course: Paved roadway, which starts and ends near the Swain County Administration Building on Mitchell Street across from the train parking lot; then the course runs a loop through the Deep Creek area north of town, adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Fees: $15 before June 28th (includes commemorative t-shirt). Late registration $15 (no t-shirt). Extra t-shirts available for $10 while quantities last.

Registration: The morning of the race from 7:45 - 8:45 am on the lawn at the County Administration Building.

Awards: Original watercolor paintings by Bryson City watercolorist Elizabeth Ellison for the first overall male and female finishers. Medals to the top three male finishers and top three female finishers in each age group.

Age Groups: (Male and female age groups are the same.) 9 and under, 10-12, 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 and over.

Course Records: Male - Jesse Norman (14:50); Female - Danielle Deines (17:50)