Source: LA Chinatown Firecracker - The 32nd Los Angeles Chinatown FirecrackeR Run celebrates the Year of the Tiger by donating proceeds to Local Schools and LA Community Programs.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year (Year 4708) with the 32nd Annual Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker (LACFR) 5K/10K Run, Bike Ride and Nite n’ Day Festival Saturday, February 27 through Sunday, February 28, 2010. The LACFR is the largest Chinese New Year run in the US and one of the longest running events in California, beginning with the traditional “lighting of one hundred thousand firecrackers.” This year’s new scenic route includes a section that cuts through the Dodger Stadium backlot to give runners a sneak-peak at the LA Marathon's new "Stadium to Sea" route." Proceeds will benefit the local community with donations to educational, fitness and literacy programs.
Events will kick off on Saturday, February 27th at 9 AM with a 40K Bike Ride and the debut of a 75K Bike Ride starting in Chinatown’s Historic Central Plaza. These scenic bike rides are fully supported by traffic control, refreshments, complimentary carbo-load meal for registered participants, and a souvenir “Year of the Tiger” t-shirt designed by this year’s winner of the art/logo contest.
The Firecracker Nite n’ Day event which lasts the entire weekend will feature, for the first time in Los Angeles, Circle Painting. Circle Painting transforms art spectators into participants by empowering people to create large-scale paintings based on the circle theme. The interactive, simple, and colorful nature of Circle Painting has made it a phenomenal success at festivals and community events around the U.S. and overseas [www.circlepainting.com]. The Nite n’ Day festivities of live music and entertainment is co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Chinatown Business Improvement District (BID). Festivities will begin Saturday (10:00AM – 10:00PM) and continue through Sunday (12:00PM – 4:00PM) at Central Plaza in Chinatown.
RACE DAY – The historic 5K/10K Run will commence on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 7:00 AM. The scenic course begins and ends in front of Chinatown Central Plaza on North Broadway. Opening ceremony begins with a welcome from Councilmember Ed Reyes and the introduction of the 2010 Miss Chinatown Court with KTLA’s Ginger Chan hosting the awards ceremony.Race Day agenda:
6:00AM Late registration and bib pick-up
7:15AM Official Welcome
7:30AM Opening Ceremony; National Anthem
7:35AM L.A. Laker Girls Warm-Up
7:45AM Lion Dancers
7:50AM Lighting of 100,000 firecrackers – Signals run place
8:00AM 5K Firecracker Run / 5K Walk Start
8:30AM 10K Firecracker Run Start
9:00AM 5K Awards Presentation
9:30AM 10K Awards Presentation
9:45AM Firecracker Kiddie Run Start
Race Day t-shirts and bibs may be picked-up on Saturday, February 27th at Central Plaza, or Sunday, February 28th at registration.
To register for the Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker 5K/10K Run, visit www.firecracker10k.org. Registered participants will receive a souvenir “Year of the Tiger” t-shirt, race bib, and carbo-load meal.
Go Green, Go Metro – Be green and ride the Metro, the official transportation of the Firecracker Run! Take advantage of the convenient Metro Gold Line train with stops all over LA and one block from the start line at the Chinatown Station. All LA Firecracker Run participants will enjoy a “GOMETRO” Discount of $3.00 courtesy of the Metro. Learn more about the Metro at www.metro.net.
The Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker Run began in 1978 by a group of volunteers who were dedicated to organizing an athletic event that also conveyed the cultural elements of the community, particularly the Lunar New Year. Thirty-two years later, the Firecracker Run - the largest Chinese New Year 5K/10K run in the nation, and one of the oldest 10K runs in California – has evolved into more than a race: It has become a community event that brings together people of all cultures, ages and fitness levels. The Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee (LACFRC) is a non-profit organization committed to bettering the community through educational, literary and fitness efforts. The Need2Read Program was born from the LACFRC and has raised over $400,000 for local elementary literacy programs and community organizations.
This annual event is made possible by event participants, and the generosity of the following corporate sponsors: Nestle, Sunrider, East West Bank, CRA/LA, Tiger Balm, Scenic Railroad Company, LA Chinatown Business Improvement District (BID), Coca-Cola, and volunteers who donate their time and energy to see this event through.
