RUNNERS, WALKERS AND TEAMS
WANTED FOR 13TH ANNUAL RIVERFIRE 5K
Registration for the 13th Annual RiverFire 5K is now open. This popular event, open to runners and walkers of all abilities, will take place on October 18, 2025 in conjunction with Berlin’s annual RiverFire Celebration.
The event is the primary fundraiser for Response – A Domestic & Sexual Violence Support Center serving all of Coos County as well as 9 communities in Upper Grafton County.
The course begins and ends at Service Credit Union Heritage Park and follows a certified flat and fast 3.1 miles heading north along the Androscoggin River, crossing the 12th Street bridge, then continuing north on East Milan Road to the turnaround in front of White Mountain Lumber. Participants then retrace their steps to Heritage Park where other RiverFire Celebration events will be getting underway.
In addition to the “in person” event, a virtual option is again offered whereby participants are asked to dedicate a run/walk or hike at a time and on a course of their choosing in support of Response. Special awards, not based on time or placement, are awarded to virtual participants.
Hand-crafted awards to the top overall male and female participants as well as “woodallions” to the top three male and female finishers in nine age divisions will be presented directly following the “in person” event on 10/18/25. A bonus prize of $50 cash is available for the first man or woman to break the current course records of 16:08 for men, held by Steven Soprano, or 17:56 for women, held by Meagan Boucher.
The RiverFire 5K also offers a team competition as part of its “in person” event. Groups of family, friends or coworkers are encouraged to band together to form teams of 3 or more. Team awards are presented to the three fastest teams (times of 3 fastest team members added together) as well as a noncompetitive award based on originality to the “best Themed Team”. Costumes are not required but encouraged for this award.
Runner and walkers may register for the 13th Annual RiverFire 5K Run/ Walk online at runsignup.com/riverfire or via paper registration forms which can be downloaded here or picked up at any of the Coos County Family Health Services sites.
Cost of pre-registration is $20 before 10/1/25 and includes a T-shirt. Registration fee from 10/1/25 through 10/17/25 increases to $25 and does not guarantee a T-shirt. Race day registration increases to $28.
A discounted price of $15 is offered for all students (grade school, high school and college). Cost for all virtual participants is also $15. Commemorative T-shirts are only guaranteed to participants registering before 10/1/25.
