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Emporia Freedom Fest 2023 20th Anniversay Run-Ride-Ruck-Release and Recognize!

Mon September 11 - Sat November 11 Emporia, KS 66801 US Directions

Race Website

Additional race information can be found at https://emporiafreedomfest.org.

Place

931 South Commercial Street
All Veterans Memorial Park
Emporia, KS US 66801

Description

WELCOME TO OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY! Emporia Freedom Fest is a series of community events bringing together people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors, exercise, mingle and honor all Veterans and their families.  This event provides annual charitable support to the Emporia All Veterans Memorial Park;  the 137th  635th Regimental Scholarship Fund, North Lyon County Veterans Memorial Fund, and USD 252 South Lyon County Honor Flight program, and the KSARNG Enlisted Associations Programs.

2023 Updates

We are ready for you in 2023!  Help us have another amazing year as we Run-Ride-Release-Ruck so we can Honor Veterans, the All Veterans Memorial Park and currently serving Service Members.

2022 was a fantastic rebound year!  On site we had over 150 participants, several dozen virtual participants and over 80 disc golfers during perfect weather!  Participants came from five states and we had virtual participants in two other countries!

We are already planning our 2023 event to be held the same Saturday in November (4 NOV) 2022.  As of today we are planning on bringing back every event and activity but several will have some awesome updates..  Knowing our committee don't be surprised if we find a few new ways to keep you engaged for 2023!   Registration will again go live on the 1st of July.  Virtual events start on Patriots Day (9/11) and end on Veterans Day (11/11).  Please visit emporiafreedomfest.org for details about every event.

"RUN"  Freedom Run 5k and 10k
The  5K and 10K Freedom Run is one of the flattest runs you will find in Kansas. The Course keeps to the flood plain south and east of the All Veterans Memorial Park.  Place top three in your age/gender category to win Emporia Main Street Gift community gift certificates. Top three male/female riders earn our custom bike and tank part trophies!

Freedom Ride 20 and 50 mile Gravel Grinders:
Lyon County State Bank/USD 252 Vet Honor Flight - SGT Timmerman Ride: (20 miles) Back by popular demand is our LCSB/USD 252 Veterans Honor Flight Ride (Timmerman Ride) -  This twenty mile ride takes you directly to the South Lyon County Veterans Memorial Park adjacent to Olpe High School  This is very fitting as our net proceeds for this ride support USD 252 Annual Veterans Honor Flights - to learn more about USD 252 Honor Flights visit https://www.usd252.org/page/honor-flight  We are helping fundraise for the 12th USD 252 Honor Flight which pairs district High School students and staff with area military veterans.  It is an awesome event!  Top three riders (male & female) earn custom tank/bike part trophies! NOTE:  E-Bikes are not eligible for awards.

Merchant Cycling President Eisenhower Ride: (52 miles) Our MSC/Eisenhower Ride is making a dramatic change and heading North!  Good news is we are headed for the first time to the beautiful North Lyon County Veterans Memorial Park in Bushong Kansas.  We know you will appreciate the hard work and beautiful veterans memorials and park.  Total distance is approximately 52 miles.  Top three riders male / female earn custom tank/bike part trophies! NOTE: E-Bikes are not eligible for awards.

"RELEASE"  Dynamic Disc Freedom Fest Open
Thanks to world famous Dynamic Discs, we are honored to host the Dynamic Disc Freedom Open.  As you may already know, this course is only setup once a year at Soden's Grove park adjacent to the Emporia All Veterans Memorial  Dynamic Disc is an amazing partner and sponsor and as we all know holds fantastic events.  Open to all and winners receive custom disc awards.

"RUCK"  Vigilance Martial Arts/EANGKS Norwegian Foot March
Ruck?  Let's take a hike!  Test your hiking skills and see if you can earn a true military badge by completing the Kansas Army National Guard Norwegian Foot March!  Norwegian?  Yes!  Our military partners with our allies for many events and exercises to include the 18 Mile Norwegian Foot March!  This event is approved by  the KSARNG and the Norwegian embassy and is open to all service members, veterans and civilians.  It's a tough event but many can attest to the excitement of finishing the march and earning your Bronze, Silver or Gold Norwegian Badge

Will to Win Warrior Spur Challenge
Combine them together and what do you get?  Needing  a bigger challenge?  Try your hand at our multi-event Will to Win Warrior Spur Challenge!
Try and earn your Auxiliary Member Order of the Spur Armor Spur from the 1-635th Armor Regiment. This event is our version of a triathlon with a taste of the traditional Cavalry/Armor Spur Ride Event (Never heard of a Spur Ride?  Check it out online....)  First time completers earn the silver spur while 5th time completers go for the Gold Spur.  Truly hardcore competitors think long-term and upon completing their 10th event earn the legitimate Cavalry Stetson.

CARGILL FREEDOM FEST EXPO
To help celebrate our 20th year we are planning on MANY static displays and demonstrations from our regional military units, branches and service members.  Plenty for family and friends to discover, get hands on and explore!   We will also have many of our Sponsors, Vendors and some great local food on-site for those not competing in events  or providing support.  Visit our Website and our Facebook event page often to find out who is coming!  The Expo closes each year with a very popular event "the Storming of the Bridge"  a WWII bridge clearing re-enactment hosted by the 101st Dog Company WW2 Re-enactment team.

"RECOGNIZE!" 
The most important thing we do for this event (and why we hold it) is to honor our Veterans, their families and support  local organizations who serve and support our Veteran Community.  Net proceeds for our events have provided over $100,000  the last nineteen years to the Emporia All Veterans Memorial Park, the 635th /137th Regiment Scholarship Fund for children of Unit Veterans; the USD 252 Honor Flight Program and the Enlisted Association of the Kansas National Guard. Photos of past presentations and information about these charities can be found at our website.

 

Here's a quick timeline of events:

1 July 2023: Registration Opens

9/11/-11/11  Virtual/Remote Events (on your own time and location!)

ON-SITE Events: (4 NOVEMBER)

4 NOV:  
-Check-in begins at 8:00 am.
-The Freedom Ride  25, 52 mile rides will begin at 9 am. at the All Veterans Memorial Park, Emporia, KS
-The Freedom Run 5K/10K/ and Norwegian Ruck March will begin at around 9:30 am at the All Veterans Memorial Park, Emporia KS
-The Warrior Spur Challenge will begin at 9:30 am. at the All Veterans Memorial Park, Emporia KS

Packet pickup: -Participants will be able to pick up their packets at Emporia Main Street on November 2-3rd between noon and 5pm.

Virtual Events: (9/11 through 11/11)

-Participants can register starting 1 July and complete virtual (off-site) events between September 11th and November 11th
-If you are not in the 50 mile local area, we can mail your packet to you.
-Please make sure to send in your times and participation photos to emporiafreedomfest@gmail.com

REGISTRATION DEADLINES:

Early-bird Registration is 7/1/23 to 10/1/23 for all events. (save on the cost of your event and make the T-Shirt day of event Deadline!)

Late Registration (no T-shirts available after this date but will be sent or picked up at a later date):  10/14/23-11/4/23

Day of Registration -  Not a good option!  We start check-in at 8am!

Race Contact Info

If you have any questions about this race, please contact the race director at

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