Freedom Run — 10K, 5K & Mayor's One-Mile

Provo's Independence Day tradition: a 10K, 5K, and the Mayor's one-mile Fun Run starting July 4 at Kiwanis Park, with part of the course running the parade route. Packet pickup is July 3 only.

The Freedom Run is one of the enduring traditions of America's Freedom Festival — an Independence Day morning race that has grown from a few hundred runners to more than 6,000. It offers three distances: a 10K, a 5K, and the Mayor's one-mile Fun Run, all starting at 7:00 a.m. on July 4 with activity centered at Kiwanis Park. The early start is by design — it beats the worst of the early-July heat, which routinely climbs into the mid-90s later in the day.

What makes this race special is the course: part of it runs along the Grand Parade route, so you're running past spectators already lined up for the morning's parade. Runners consistently describe it as an unmatched, high-energy atmosphere — and a fair warning, both the 5K and 10K finish with an uphill push toward the park.

Start Lines

Each distance has its own start, all finishing at the entrance to Kiwanis Park:

• 5K — corner of 800 N & 150 E (by Brick Oven Pizza)
• 10K — Birch Ave, at the north end of Kiwanis Park
• One-Mile Fun Run — inside Kiwanis Park

Packet Pickup Is the Day Before — Don't Miss It

This is the detail that trips people up every year: packet pickup is July 3 only, at the Provo Recreation Center (multipurpose room, east end of the facility). There is no registration or packet pickup on race day. You'll pick up your bib with an integrated timing chip, your race shirt, a finisher medal, and any additional swag. Bring photo ID; a family member can pick up for you if they sign for it.

Wear the bib on the front, on your top layer, for the timing chip to read properly. Strollers are welcome but start behind the runners; bikes, unicycles, and other wheeled devices aren't allowed on the course.

Parking and Getting There

Roads around the race and parade route begin closing as early as 5:30 a.m., so arrive early and approach from the west and north of BYU campus. If you want to park at the BYU Marriott Center, be there before 6 a.m. — after that the lot closes until the race ends. Neighborhoods north and east of Kiwanis Park are a good backup.

Come dressed for the Fourth — red, white, and blue attire and costumes are a long-standing part of the fun. Finisher medals go to everyone, and the top three male and female finishers in the 5K and 10K earn cash prizes, with age-group awards across the field.

For the full lineup of Independence Day events, see our Fourth of July guide and the Freedom Festival guide. Registration and the latest details are on the official Freedom Run page.

Good to know

• ✓ 10K, 5K, and Mayor's one-mile Fun Run — all start at 7:00 AM on July 4
• ✓ Part of the course runs along the Grand Parade route for a one-of-a-kind atmosphere
• ✓ Packet pickup is July 3 ONLY at the Provo Recreation Center — no race-day registration
• ✓ Come decked out in red, white, and blue; costumes are a tradition
• ✓ Finisher medals for all; cash and age-group awards for top 5K and 10K finishers

Running an event in Utah Valley? Submit it to the Provo.com calendar →