For five decades, the Volksläufe has brought together runners from all walks of life, making it far more than a race — it’s a cherished community tradition! The Volksläufe, meaning “The People’s Race” in German, embraces the spirit of family, friendship, and fitness, inviting participants to a fun and meaningful celebration. Hosted by the Frankenmuth Jaycees, this year’s event is set to be our biggest yet, with every mile and every cheer contributing to charitable causes close to our community’s heart.
Our 50th ANNUAL race will feature the traditional 5K, 10K, and Half-Marathon, guiding runners through Frankenmuth’s picturesque Bavarian streets, scenic countryside, and the peaceful Cass River. But that’s not all! For our youngest runners and those new to racing, we offer the 2K Fun Run, a shorter route filled with the same high spirits and cheers as the longer races. The Volksläufe has something for everyone — from serious athletes to families looking for holiday fun!
🗓️ Race Day Schedule – Friday, July 4, 2025
📍 Heritage Park, Frankenmuth, MI
10K Start – 7:00 AM
Half-Marathon Start – 7:15 AM
5K Run Start – 9:00 AM
5K Walk Start – 9:05 AM
2K Fun Run Start – 10:00 AM
🎽 Packet Pickup & Volksläufe Eve Festivities
📍 Packet Pickup Location
601 Weiss St.
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
🗓️ Thursday, July 3, 2025
⏰ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM EDT
🗓️ Race Day – Friday, July 4, 2025
⏰ 6:00 AM – 9:45 AM EDT
Stick around on Volksläufe Eve (Thursday, July 3) for an evening of fun before the big race!
From 5:00 PM until the fireworks begin around 10:00 PM, enjoy:
🎉 Live entertainment
🍔 Food vendors
🛍️ A bustling community marketplace
🎶 Family-friendly activities and music
🎆 And of course, the spectacular Frankenmuth fireworks display lighting up the night sky!
As always, the Frankenmuth Jaycees’ mission goes beyond the race. Every dollar raised will fund our July 3rd fireworks display and support various charitable initiatives throughout the year. After crossing the finish line, stick around to enjoy post-race festivities with food, music, and celebration!
The Volksläufe is about people — racers, families, friends, and our incredible volunteers. Together, we’ll make the 50th edition unforgettable! Thank you to our runners, sponsors, vendors, and community members for supporting this tradition and making a difference in our community. 🏅
Jul 04, 2026
Distance — 10K
Type — Running
07:00
$45.00
Jul 04, 2026
Distance — 10K
Type — Running
07:00
$35.00
Jul 04, 2026
Distance — 15K
Type — Running
07:00
$75.00
Jul 04, 2026
Distance — 15K
Type — Running
07:00
$65.00
Jul 04, 2026
Distance — 13.1 Miles
Type — Running
07:10
$40.00
Jul 04, 2026
Distance — 13.1 Miles
Type — Running
07:15
$50.00
Jul 04, 2026
Distance — 5K
Type — Running
09:00
$40.00
Jul 04, 2026
Distance — 5K
Type — Running
09:00
$30.00
Jul 04, 2026
Distance — 5K
Type — Running
09:05
$40.00
Jul 04, 2026
Distance — 5K
Type — Running
09:10
$30.00
Jul 04, 2026
Distance — 2K
Type — Running
10:00
$20.00
Jul 04, 2026
Distance — 2K
Type — Running
10:00
$15.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for July in Frankenmuth.
Frankenmuth is a city of about 5,500 people (2019) in southeastern Michigan, which was settled in 1845 by 15 Lutheran Germans who intended to spread the Christian religion to the Native American population in the area. The town today capitalizes on this German background, billing itself as "Michigan's Little Bavaria", and styling its downtown after an idealized image of a 19th-century Germany village. Visitors may find it to be unbearably kitschy, but there's a great sense of fun and an almost theme-park-like feel about the downtown area.
Read more launchExplore other exciting events happening in this same region.
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