2023 Independence Day 5K!
Join us for the 10th Annual Independence Day 5K on Monday, July 4, 2023 for a fun and FAST 5K! This event features a fast point-to-point course that takes runners and walkers from the top of Tacoma and finishes at beautiful Point Ruston.
The 5K is a chip timed race on a fast, flat and downhill course starting at N. 37th & N Vassault St in Tacoma, close to Vassault Park, and finishing at the WaterWalk Mural at Point Ruston’s Grand Plaza. While this is a speedy course for fast runners, it also is a fun course for a power walk before your Independence Day barbecue! Everybody is welcome to participate!
The WaterWalk Mural is also where the Kids 1K will start at 9:15 am. The kid’s run is an out-and-back, so the runners can cross the official finish line as well.

5K
Start Time: 8:00 am
Start Location: N Narrows Dr – South of Vassault Park
Finish Location: Grand Plaza – Point Ruston
USATF Certification: WA21007RMB
Kids 1K
Start Time: 9:15 am
Start/Finish Location: Grand Plaza – Point Ruston
Registration Information
Registration includes:
- Independence Day 5K Medal (or Kid’s 1K Finisher Ribbon)
- Tech Tank Top (5K) – Order by 6/4 to guarantee a shirt and size
- Collective Bib – Register by 6/4 to add a custom message to your bib
- Optional merchandise available for purchase during registration while supplies last
Group of 4+? Register with our “Family of 4 or more” form to register with our group rate and save $5 per 5K Registration!
Late registration will be available online during packet pickup & on day of race. Online registration closes 15 min prior to race start.
5K
- January 18 - 19: $35 (2-Day Opening Special! On sale at 10:00 am.)
- January 20: $40
- March 15: $45
- April 15: $50
- May 15 - June 14: $55
- June 20: $60
- July 3 - 4: $65
Kids 1K
- Registration for 2023 is open!
- Ages 12 and under: $10
- Parents running with their kids in the 1K do not need to register.
CONFIRM REGISTRATION >> HERE <<
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A small transaction fee is assessed when registering online. Price increases occur at midnight.
*Please Read! TCMA Policies* All entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. Sorry, no transfers to another individual, and no roll-overs to the following year. All participants under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian in order to participate. Sorry, no exceptions.
TCMA reserves the right to alter or change race course(s) of events, without warning, based on the needs of the event, municipality requirements and/or other factors that may be out of the control of TCMA. While we do our very best to keep our courses consistent, year after year for their respective events, circumstances may arise that require TCMA to alter or change a course. As an organization that utilizes city streets, parks, and other such pathways for our events, we work very closely with the local municipalities, police departments and fire departments to ensure the safety of our participants, volunteers and staff. While we don’t like to have to change a familiar course, there are instances where we are required to do so in order to be granted permission to host the event. We appreciate your understanding as we work hard to keep the events safe and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Independence Day 5K Medals
Celebrate your accomplishment and add some more bling to your collection! All runners will receive their hard earned commemorative finisher medal as you come across the finish line.
Race Swag
*2022 Swag TBA*
Race swag will be availabe for pick up during packet pickup or at the finish line on race day. Unclaimed swag cannot be mailed out after the race, so don’t forget to grab yours before you leave!
- 5K Runners receive a tech tank-top (guaranteed shirt & size cutoff is 6/4*).
- Optional Merchandise available for purchase during registration while supplies last.
*We do our best to estimate numbers to account for registrations after the shirt cutoff date but to help ensure that as many runners are able to get a shirt as possible, we cannot do size exchanges until the end of the day on race day.
Packet Pickup Information
Your packet will contain:
- Race bib with timing chip attached to back and safety pins
- Gear check tear tag attached to bottom of bib – please fix this to your gear bag if you are checking one on race day
- Goody bag with promotional offers and coupons from event sponsors and vendors (this bag can also be used as your gear check bag on race day)
We highly recommend you pick up your packet prior to race day to avoid long lines on race morning. You may also pick up a packet for a friend/family member, if you do so, please make sure they know you will be picking up their packet.
Pre-Race Pickup
Date: Monday, July 3, 2023
Time: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Packet Pickup Location:
Fleet Feet Tacoma
3812 N 26th St
Tacoma, Washington 98407
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Day-of-race packet pickup will be available at the 5K start line from 6:30 am – 7:45 am.
*Please Note* Packets will not be available for pickup before stated times. Please do not call the pick-up location with packet pickup questions. If you have a question, please email us at info@tcmaevents.com.
Day of Race Schedule
5K
Date: Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Start Location: N Narrows Dr – South of Vassault Park
Finish Location: Grand Plaza – Point Ruston
6:30 am: Packet Pickup & Gear Check Start
6:45 am: Shuttle Service Starts
7:45 am: Packet Pickup & Gear Check End
8:00 am: 5K Start
9:30 am: Last Post-Race Shuttle
Kids 1K
Date: Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Start/Finish Location: Grand Plaza at Point Ruston
8:00 am: Packet Pickup & Gear Check Start
9:00 am: Packet Pickup & Gear Check End
9:15 am: Kids Run Start
Parking
Parking is available in the Vassault Park parking lot and there is street parking along N 37th St. Please keep in mind that there will be road closures, N Vassault Street will be closed to cars but N Pearl Street will be open. Shuttle buses will take you from the Point Ruston Century Theater back to your car at Vassault Park once you finish.
You can also park in the surrounding area at Point Ruston and take the shuttle bus to the start. Please note that all parking inside Point Ruston is paid parking.
Shuttles
Shuttle Buses will depart from nearby the Century Movie Theater in the Point Ruston shopping area starting at 6:45 am. Buses will depart as they fill, do not wait for the last bus. Return shuttles will go continually back and forth from the Point Ruston Century Theater to Vassault Park after you finish. The last post-race shuttle will depart at 9:30 am.
If you’d prefer not to take the shuttle, you can also use this map to see the quickest way (on foot) from the finish line area back to the starting line area. It’s a great warm-up or cool-down for the race!
Gear Check
Gear check is provided for your personal items at the start line and brought to the finish. Participants will be provided with a bag to use for gear check. Please tear your gear check tab off of your bib and hand it to the gear check volunteer. Please do not put valuables in your bag. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. You may claim your bag after you finish by providing your bib number.
Finish Line Amenities
Once you cross the finish line, you will be greeted with a variety of food and beverages to aid in your recovery.
Results & Photos
Timing provided by Racewire. Photos & free downloads provided by CJ Photography.
Results will be posted online shortly after you come across the finish line. Photos will be posted online in the week following the race, you will receive an email when they’re available. Results & Photos from previous years are also archived below.

Awards & Rules
Age Group Ribbons
Awards for the top Overall Male & Female and age group ribbons will be available for pick up at your convenience at the results tent*. Age group ribbons will be given out to the top 5 finishers in the following age groups: 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90+.
How to Claim Your Ribbon
After you have finished your race, check the results computers and get your print out. If your results are not yet posted please check back again in 10-15 minutes as they are updated often. If you are in the top 5 in your age group, proceed to the awards table to claim your ribbon. Congratulations!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & USATF RULES:
(1) If you win both an overall and age group spot you will be presented with both awards, overall winners ARE NOT knocked out of their respective age group.
(2) To be eligible for overall and age group awards or USATF submissions, you cannot be paced by or accept aid from a non-registered runner at any time during the event and you must complete the full course.
(3) Failure to complete the course in its entirety will result in disqualification.
(4) Use of personal music devices/headphones is discouraged for the safety and benefit of all participants. If you choose to wear them, please be safe and don’t turn them up so loud that you can’t hear volunteers or police. We recommend leaving one earbud out
*Please Note* Awards cannot be mailed out after the race, so please pick up your ribbon before leaving!

Awards & Rules
Age Group Ribbons
Awards for the top Overall Male & Female and age group ribbons will be available for pick up at your convenience at the results tent*. Age group ribbons will be given out to the top 5 finishers in the following age groups: 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90+.
How to Claim Your Ribbon
After you have finished your race, check the results computers and get your print out. If your results are not yet posted please check back again in 10-15 minutes as they are updated often. If you are in the top 5 in your age group, proceed to the awards table to claim your ribbon. Congratulations!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & USATF RULES:
(1) If you win both an overall and age group spot you will be presented with both awards, overall winners ARE NOT knocked out of their respective age group.
(2) To be eligible for overall and age group awards or USATF submissions, you cannot be paced by or accept aid from a non-registered runner at any time during the event and you must complete the full course.
(3) Failure to complete the couse in its entirety may result in disqualification.
(4) Use of personal music devices/headphones is discouraged for the safety and benefit of all participants. If you choose to wear them, please be safe and don’t turn them up so loud that you can’t hear volunteers or police. We recommend leaving one earbud out.
*Please Note* Awards cannot be mailed out after the race, so please pick up your ribbon before leaving!
HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Volunteer support means everything to us and our runners. We couldn’t do this without the hard work and efforts of dedicated volunteers who provide encouragement and a helping hand from getting our runners ready to hit the start line to fueling them through the finish.