Yep. There we were in our fresh gear, a mix of brand-labeled spandex, sweatbands, and fresh kicks from the sneaker shop on Broadway. Just waiting alongside the others, our very first time, we were ready for the starting gun and the chance to take part in the L.A. Chinatown adventure known as the Firecracker 10k run.
The race had been in existence for 47 years. Looking around at a crowd made up of multiple generations, we could imagine how a few runners may have been around back then. And by the look of some of their physiques, we could tell this wasn’t their first rodeo.
Our legs, however, were shriveled and weak, and our lungs, still harboring smoke from the eighties, were uncertain if they could endure the race. It was 2024, the Year of the Dragon, and surviving this race would be the determining factor on whether we’d live to see 2025 Year of the Snake.
With the Lunar New Year came a fiery passion for the visitors and locals of Chinatown. Adding to the thrill, just before the race, lion dancers carried out ancient traditions that existed in the time of the Chinese dynasties, long before the Great Wall of China.
The race began with an unusual and effective start: thousands of tiny firecrackers exploded, filling the air with a cacophony of sound and smoke.
And off we went, our DT Weekly team charging ahead. The other racers, must have stunned and blinded by the explosions, because they just didn’t react quickly enough, and we found ourselves far out in front.
It was our time to shine, but without the veteran racers, we had little idea of the route, so we forged our own path.
Running as fast as we could, we veered left, we veered right, leading us into the labyrinth of Central Plaza. The plaza was a maze of vendors selling running gear, Chinese mementos, and refreshments. A statue of Bruce Lee reminded us to never give up and to be like water.
Water made us think of tea, so we stopped for a few sips of energizing jasmine tea at one of our favorite tea shops. Refreshed, we hit the ground running again, but our newfound energy soon waned as our stomachs began to rumble. That’s when we made one more stop for a delicious plate of dim sum.
The dim sum was so delicious that we nearly fell asleep. But we couldn’t afford to lose our place in the race, so we pushed on. We even considered renting a Metro Bike, as the race allowed participants to run, walk, or ride. However, we decided to just continue the usual stride.
Each registered participant was promised a commemorative Firecracker race bib, an exclusive collectible finisher’s medal, a limited-edition t-shirt, a goody bag, and much more. But where were the other runners? Were they enjoying the event virtually? It’s a thing.
Who needs other racers when you already have a collector’s medal? Too bad the medal wasn’t a compass, because we were lost and ended up in the Kiddie Fun Zone. We played carnival games, got our faces painted, petted zoo animals, and even participated in arts and crafts activities.
By the time we found the finish line, we looked like a renegade rebellion of holiday shoppers, bags of dim sum in tow.
But, wait, what was that ahead? A beer garden sponsored by Angels City Brew and a crowd of people dancing and celebrating their run. It was the other runners!
They had chosen a different path, but we all managed to meet up at the same place. What a memorable adventure!
As much as we wanted to run, skip, and jump in the next Firecracker 10K, happening in Chinatown on February 1-2, 2025, we found our glorious independent, newspaper (well-loved by everyone in the community and packed with the most diversity) invited to the 47th Annual Firecracker 10k run as official media sponsors.
So, the town won’t see us running with bags of dim sum or shadowboxing with Bruce Lee in 2025. Instead, feel free to visit our booth to pick up the latest issue of DT Weekly and enter a contest to win a free mimosa from the DTLA Brunch Club.
The proceeds from the marathon event benefits local charities and community programs. And here as Official Media Sponsors helping to preserve the rich heritage of Chinatown is the complete schedule: #enjoy
Saturday, February 1, 2025:
- 50-mile Bike Ride: 8:00 AM
- 20-mile Bike Ride: 8:20 AM
- 2K PAW’er Dog Walk: 9:00 AM
Sunday, February 2, 2025:
- 5K Run/Walk: 8:00 AM (Run) / 8:20 AM (Walk)
- 10K Run/Walk: 8:20 AM (Run) / 8:40 AM (Walk)
- 1K Kiddie Run: 9:00 AM
WHERE: Los Angeles Chinatown Central Plaza, 943 N Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles 90012. #StayHealthyDTLA
Register Here: https://firecracker10k.org
