Read a first-person account of chasing the podium at the 2024 F50 by Jessica McWhirt.

Registering a minor? Please contact racebreck@townofbreckenridge.com first for assistance! 

There are two ways to register:

1. Online Registration - 
         PARENTS REGISTERING A TEAM AGES 12-18, PLEASE VIEW INSTRUCTIONS UNDER "CATEGOIRES"

2. If event has not filled, register in person at Carter Park Wednesday, July 3, 3:00-6:00pm and on Thursday, July 4 beginning at 7:00am

Fees:
$120 for all solo categories
$180 for 2 person Team Relay

Entry Fee Includes:

• One of the most premier MTB experiences in the country complete with starting the Breckenridge 4th of July Parade!
• Sockguy MTB specific socks
• Event t-shirt
• Post-race meal
• Bike wash
• Stocked aid stations (4 per lap)
• Free bike/bag check at Carter Park

DEFERRAL REQUEST/CHANGE CATEGORY and/or CHANGE TEAMMATE

You can change your registration in your account up to June 30 at Midnight.

Deferral Policy:

Participants can defer their race entry to a future race. All deferral requests need to be sent to racebreck@townofbreckenridge.com by June 30th at Midnight. 

Don't want to race? Help be a part of the team that makes it happen! Days, times and jobs vary July 3-4.

Volunteer registration

YOUR AGE CATEGORY IS DETERMINED BY YOUR AGE ON RACE DAY (July 4)

MINIMUM AGE is 12 years old on race day. Racers 12-15 years of age may only race as part of a team. Minimum age for solo racers is 16.

Race solo or on a two-person team relay!
Solo racers ride the 25 mile loop twice!

• Pro/Open Men
• Pro/Open Women
• Open Non-Binary

You are a Pro if you race for money, have a contract with a team, your bike was given to you by a manufacturer, OR YOU SIMPLY WANNA PLAY WITH THE BIG BOYS AND GIRLS!!

• Expert Men 16-29
• Expert Men 30-34
• Expert Men 35-39
• Expert Men 40-44
• Expert Men 45-49
• Expert Men 50-59
• Expert Men 60+

• Expert Women 16-39
• Expert Women 40-49
• Expert Women 50+

You are an Expert if you’ve been riding for years…as in many years…like 10+ years AND/OR you’ve been racing for a few years.  Some of you may have only been riding for a few years yet you jumped right into the racing scene.  If that’s you, you shave your legs, don’t own any baggy shorts (or own mostly spandex), don’t consider it a “real ride” when you do wear baggy shorts, race for a team, and/or think about your riding, nutrition and weight (of both your body and bike) pretty much all the time, then you are probably Expert. In short, you are a stud but Pro is a bridge too far!

• Singlespeed Open Men
• Singlespeed Open Women

Does this need to be explained?  Singlespeed cycling is its own sport! Hopefully you’ll show up in cut-off Dickies, flannel shirt cut-off at the shoulder, an AC/DC t-shirt underneath, lamb chop sideburns and fu man chu ‘stache! That’s the guys of course -- ladies are welcome no matter the attire!

• Sport Men 16-29
• Sport Men 30-34
• Sport Men 35-39
• Sport Men 40-44
• Sport Men 45-49
• Sport Men 50+
• Clydesdale (200lbs+)
• Sport Women 16-39
• Sport Women 40+

What is a Sport racer? Ahhh, the subject of many a group ride and coffee clutch!  To quote my little buddy Evan, “If you have to ask what category you should be in you are probably Sport!" Sport racers are Lady and Gentleman Racers, the true essence of mountain biking.  Sport racers have full-time jobs, families and obligations that take priority over training full-time. I know many of you Experts out there are saying, “Wait that’s me!”.  Remember, the length of time you’ve been riding/racing really determines your ability.  Sport racers have only just started racing…many have only just started riding.  Sport racers may, or may not, shave their legs.  Sport racers enjoy riding with friends, in baggy shorts, and stopping to enjoy the views. Sport racers may have a team affiliation but may not even know what that means!  Here’s a good one…if you race Sport and are in the top third of the results I can pretty much predict that you would be top half in the Expert category for your age.  Ya know what that makes you? Yup…you guessed it…A SANDBAGGER! Choose well my friends!

These classes race as a 2 person team, each teammate rides one lap each, relay format, on the 25 mile loop. Only one number plate will be distributed per team. Therefore the number plate must be transferred from Lap 1 rider’s bike to Lap 2 rider’s bike in the transition area.

NOTE: Duo teams consisting of minors ages 12-17 must have the parent COMPLETE REGISTRATION AND CREATE A TEAM as a non-participating team captain. Once registration and payment is complete, return to the registration page to register the minors as $0 team members. For assistance, please email racebreck@townofbreckenridge.com.

• Duo Women Team Relay
• Duo Men Team Relay
• Duo Coed Team Relay
• Duo Relay Team 35 - ages of teammates must add up to a maximum of 35 years. There are no gender or age distinctions in this category.
• Duo Relay Team 101+ - ages of teammates must add up to a minimum of 101 years. There are no gender distinctions in this category.
• Duo Relay Team 110+ - ages of teammates must add up to a minimum of 110 years. There are no gender distinctions in this category.
• Duo Relay Team 120+ - ages of teammates must add up to a minimum of 120 years. There are no gender distinctions in this category.

The smart play is to be on a Team IF you want part of your 4th of July for other activities…such as…watching the kids while your other half races, getting to a BBQ hosted by friends, or you just don’t wanna be all blown up at the end of the day! One thing’s for sure…If there’s even a remote doubt in your mind that you can’t finish the 50 solo then seriously consider forming a team!

A NOTE TO TEAMS:

Team 101+ and Team 110+
You will start in a different wave than Duo Men's and Women's Team Relay. Just clarifying that if you are in Team 101 or Team 110 and are two men, please line up at the Team 101 and Team 110 staging signs. DO NOT START with Duo Male's or Women's Team Relay.

Number Plate Transfer
Only one number plate is issued to your team. That means you must transfer your number plate from one bike to another in the Carter Park transition area. Please make sure the number plate is mounted on the correct bike for Lap 1! This also prevents riders from leaving the transition area early…cheaters!

Bike Valet
Lap 1 riders, since you actually finish first on the day, please consider using our complimentary and secure Bike Valet service. Check a bag in the AM and it will be waiting for you when you finish. Check your bike, then check your bag again and hang out worry free for the afternoon. No need to keep one eye on your stuff while consuming mass quantities and waiting for your partner to finish!

PACKET PICK-UP
You may pick up for others! How’s that for service?!
Duo Team Relay Teammates may pick up for each other.
One caveat…you are assuming responsibility for getting correct shirt and sock size!

Option 1: July 3rd at Carter Park from 3:00-6:00pm
Option 2: July 4th beginning at 7:00am at Carter Park if race is not full

PARKING
Want to take all the guess work out of parking? Then park at the Satellite Lot for GUARANTEED PARKING. Ride your bike into town (a couple of miles) with everything you need for the day including post-race. Check your bag at our FREE valet service. Then, after your race, you can check your bike too. We will provide security for you until awards are completed at approximately 4:30pm. Read further for other parking options but please recognize it is a huge day in Breckenridge and the load on parking is significant. We love our town, and this is our way of lessening impact on July 4th!

DIRECTIONS TO THE SATELLITE LOT - (Google Maps is glitchy on this location so here are old school written directions)
From Frisco take Highway 9 South toward Breckenridge, going through the first roundabout.
At the second traffic light, turn RIGHT onto Valley Brook Street (Coyne Valley Road detour)
At the stop sign, turn right onto Airport Road
Go approximately .4 of a mile north and turn RIGHT onto Fraction Road
Park in the DAY USE AREA
NOTE: On street parking is PROHIBITED.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS to CARTER PARK
From I-70 take Exit 203.
Take Highway 9 south to Breckenridge (9 miles)
Go past 7-11 and move into left lane
Go through roundabout continuing south on Main Street
Take first left at first traffic light onto French Street
Go straight through three stop signs (Wellington Road, then Lincoln Avenue, then Washington Avenue)
Turn left at next stop sign onto Adams Avenue
Go two blocks and turn right onto High Street
Go south one block to Carter Park and the Carter Park Pavilion

Parking is limited at Carter Park - here are several close-by parking options

OTHER PARKING OPTIONS:
The 4th of July is a huge day in Breckenridge. If you are staying in lodging please consider leaving your vehicle there and riding to Carter Park for packet pickup!

If you need a place to park, there are many parking options!
GUARANTEED PARKING AT SATELLITE LOT AND RIDE INTO TOWN WITH ALL YOU NEED FOR THE DAY AND USE OUR FREE BIKE/BAG CHECK AT CARTER PARK

Click Here for a Town of Breck Parking Map

Here is a bit more detail on some of the parking options on the map:

1. The Satellite Lot-(Google Maps is glitchy on this location so please refer to directions above)
2. The Stephen C. West Ice Arena.
3.French St. Lot
5. Breckenridge Elementary School This puts you directly into the Elementary school lot.  Carter Park Pavilion is a short walk across the playground.
6. Klack Placer Lot This puts you adjacent to Carter Park Little League Field and there’s a gate in the fence.  Walk/ride a short distance to the south of the ball field toward the Pavilion.

A FREE service designed to give you peace of mind, ease of logistics, and to lessen impacts on parking! Behind the Carter Park Pavilion is a baseball field. There you will find a secure area to check your Bag/Bike for FREE.

RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE

• Park at the Satellite Lot.
• Ride into town (a couple of miles) with everything I need for the day including post-race.
• Check your bag at our FREE valet service beginning at 7:00am. After your race you can check your bike too.
• We provide security until 4:30pm.

If you would like to inquire about setting up a shade/team tent, please complete the form below. We'll need a contact and what size tent you would like to bring.  We will provide details and locations as we get closer to the event.

F50 Team Tent Inquiry Form

Ever been in a 4th of July Parade? If not get ready for what some call the best way to start a race!

The Start Line is at Lincoln and Main St., the main traffic light in town.

TO GET TO THE START:
Please ride north on either French St, Ridge St, Harris St, or High St (they all run parallel to Main St) to Wellington Rd. Turn left onto Wellington Rd and come down to Main St. This puts you right into the Start Staging Area
This is important! If you are trying to access the start by coming north on Main St after we have started sending waves YOU WILL BE RIDING AGAINST RACER TRAFFIC. Thank you for your cooperation!

Timing is started for each wave when the group rolls so the neutral start is included in your time. Teammates in the Duo Team Relay categories may share this part of the race together…Lap 2 rider pulls off to the side with the marshal/leader.

The race will begin in a neutral start format by start wave (see waves below). Each wave will have its own marshal/leader that will roll at 10MPH. At the south end of Main St. the race moves to a width of one lane and the yellow line rule is in effect. Please DO NOT PASS your marshal until they pull out of the way. This will happen at Jefferson Avenue and the race is on!

NOTES FOR DUO TEAM RELAY MEMBERS:
Number Plate Transfer
Only one number plate is issued to your team. That means you must transfer your number plate from one bike to another in the Carter Park transition area. Make sure the number plate is mounted on the correct bike for Lap 1! This also prevents riders from leaving the transition area early…cheaters!

Bike Valet
Lap 1 riders, since you actually finish first on the day, please consider using our complimentary and secure bike valet service. Check a bag in the AM and it will be waiting for you when you finish. Check your bike, then check your bag again and hang out worry free for the afternoon. No need to keep one eye on your stuff while consuming mass quantities and waiting for your partner to finish!

START WAVES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON FINAL REGISTRATION COUNTS IN EACH CATEGORY)
9:30 Pro Open Men and Women
9:32 Expert Men 16-29, Singlespeed Men
9:34 Expert Men 30-34, 35-39
9:36 Expert Men 40-44, 45-49
9:38 Expert Men 50-59, 60+
9:40 Expert Women 16-39, 40-49, 50+, Singlespeed Women
9:44 Duo Men Team Relay 
9:46 Duo Coed Team Relay 
9:48 Duo Women Team Relay, Duo Team 120+, Duo Team 101+, and Duo Team 110+ 
(TEAM 101,TEAM 110, TEAM 120, and TEAM 35. DO NOT START WITH THE DUO Men's or Coed TEAM RELAY)
9:49 Duo Relay Team 35
9:50 Sport Men 16-29, 30-34
9:52 Sport Men 35-39, Clydesdale (200lbs+)
9:54 Sport Men 40-44
9:56 Sport Men 45-49, 50+
9:57 Sport Women 16-39, 40+

Again To Teams:
Team 101+ and Team 110+, Team 120* and Team 35*
You will start in a different wave than Duo Men's and Women's Team Relay. Just clarifying that if you are in Team 101 or Team 110 and are two men, please line up at the Team 101 and Team 110 staging signs. DO NOT START with Duo Men's pr Duo Women's Team Relay…kinda messes up the results and makes me have to put on my official’s hat…yuck!

2024 F50 Course Map           Firecracker 50 Course Description

All mileages are approximate.

Cut-off times as follows:

Duo Team Lap 2: 3:15pm at Aid #2

Our slogan is “you can go long and you can go light”. Most racers do not carry a hydration pack for this race. There are 4 aid stations per lap. We’ll have an army of volunteers out there doing hand-ups. For info on personal items read below.

• AID STATION #1 at Bakers Tank, Milepoint 5.4

• AID STATION #2 at the Wirepatch, Milepoint 11.2

• AID STATION #3 on Extension Mill Road (GH25), Milepoint 19

• AID STATION #4 at Carter Park, Milepoint 25

Aid stations will be stocked with Skratch Lab Energy Drink or water in bottles that will fit in cages. Energy food provided by Honey Stinger

ON-COURSE PORT-O-LETS
There is a Port-o-let at each aid station on course AND one next to the Team Staging area in Carter Park.

To those of you who have given us feedback on having more variety at the aid stations this is for you! We truly appreciate the comments. It’s just not possible for us to predict the likes and dislikes of several hundred people. Therefore we continue to support you with Honey Stinger energy products, water and energy drink.

LITTERING!!!
A big deal! Here’s what we’ll do for you to make it easier NOT to litter in the backcountry…we’ll place a garbage can 100 yards or so past each aid station. There will be a sign that reads “END FEED ZONE”. If you can’t, or don’t wish to, unload items by this point then PLEASE hang onto it until the next aid station…it’s really not that far away. Get the trash in, or near, the container and we’ll take care of the rest. It is completely inexcusable to intentionally leave your wrappers and bottles out there! We realize there is a requisite amount of post-race cleanup that is our responsibility. There’s an aid station every 6 miles. If you can’t discard your trash at the garbage cans then please hang onto it until the next aid station.  Thanks for your cooperation in advance!

MEDICAL
We have a team of 7 on-course EMT’s. We also have an EMT crew in Carter Park. If you encounter a medical situation, please follow this protocol.

• First rider stays with injured racer.
• Second rider goes along course for help.
• Any riders that abandon their race to help will be given a refund. 

We have marshals with radios along the route with staff at the bottom of sections that are the most technical.  If necessary, you may call 911. If you call 911 please identify yourself as being affiliated with the Firecracker 50. That will initiate direct contact from Summit County Dispatch to our Lead EMT.

There will be mileage markers in yellow duct tape on many of the arrows. If reporting an incident please give a mileage location so that we can identify the location and respond more quickly.

If you see a wreck, but don’t know for sure the extent of any possible injuries, then don’t report the incident. Leave that to the next person or group. We want to avoid false alarms. People who send for help should know for sure that help is needed. Please be prepared to provide gender, age, and nature of injury.

If someone had told me back in 2001 that the Firecracker would be as popular as it is now I never would have believed it!  People ask what makes it so unique and it has become clear that it is a combination of things. The Aid Stations and the enthusiastic volunteers, the Main St Parade Start, the Wild Turkey Challenge, Little French Gulch, the Woolie Boolies, and the fact that it is on July 4th all contribute. And from my perspective it is you, The Racers, that make it super special!  Whatever your reason for competing we are honored to have you.  Over the years, the Firecracker has donated several thousand dollars to local non-profits.  That tradition continues!

Some of the Original Narrative
What started out as a gleam in our eye has grown into a staple on the Colorado mountain bike racing calendar. Why the 4th? Because absolutely nothing athletic was happening in our town. Sure Scott Yule, Mike Zobbe, Ellen Hollinshead, Monique Merrill, and a host of other local mountain goat legends were bagging a 14er, skiing 4th of July Bowl on Peak 10, or riding their favorite trails. But nothing organized was happening. Where I come from there is at least a dinky little July 4th 5k Run just about everywhere; and then people get with family and friends, BBQ, and relax for the rest of the day. On July 4, 2000, while watching the parade after a morning bike ride, Mike McCormack and I looked at each other, cut our palms with a rusty chain tool, high-fived each other and made a blood pact. The Firecracker 50 was born! (Mike McCormack has a completely different recollection about the genesis of the idea complete with Socio-Political implications…of course!)
So…welcome to the Firecracker 50, welcome to Breckenridge, welcome to our backyard!

 -- Jeffrey Westcott

Past Pro Champions
2001 Melissa Thomas/Dave Wiens
2002 Michelle Keane/Jimi Mortenson
2003 Mary Grigson/Craig Gordon
2004 Danelle Ballengee/Travis Brown
2005 Gretchen Reeves/Liam Killeen
2006 Gretchen Reeves/Bryan Smith
2007 Shonny Vandlandingham/Jay Henry
2008 Sari Anderson/Jeremiah Bishop
2009 Heather Irmiger/Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski
2010 Heather Irmiger/Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski
2011 Monique Pua Mata/Colin Cares
2012 Gretchen Reeves/Jay Henry
2013 Gretchen Reeves/Oliver Zurbruegg
2014 Jennifer Smith/Jamey Driscoll
2015 Larissa Connors/Jamey Driscoll
2016 Marlee Dixon/Yannick Eckmann
2017 Marlee Dixon/Payson McElveen
2018 Larissa Connors/Payson McElveen
2019 Marlee Dixon/Ryan Standish
2020 No Race
2021 Melisa Rollins/Howard Grotts
2022 Ruth Winder/Eric Brunner

Top 3 Pro/Open Men and Women
The Top 3 in all other categories

Cash Payout for Pro/Open Men and Women:
1st Place = $2,000
2nd Place = $1,000
3rd Place = $500

AWARDS CEREMONY
Awards for the Pro/Open Men and Women will be presented at approximately 2:00pm.
Awards for all other categories will be presented in a rolling manner; once we have our top 3 finishers in said category, we will address the podium!

Preliminary 2024 Results

2023 Results          2023 Participants         2023 Participants by Category

2022 Results           2022 Photos