Emporia Freedom Fest Run-Ride-Ruck-Release and Recognize! 2026

" RUN" Wagon Wheel Bar and Grill Freedom Run 5k The 5K 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!

"RIDE" Freedom Ride 20 mile Gravel Grinders: Lyon County State Bank/USD 252 Vet Honor Flight - (SGT Timmerman Ride): (20-22 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 next 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 .

New Update (3/1/2026) The Eisenhower Freedom 50 Mile Race On-Site . We will continue to have the Eisenhower Freedom Ride (50 miler) with our virtual option. Proceeds for this event will still be provided to the North Lyon County Veterans Memorial. See registration and website for virtual event instructions. We encourage to visit an amazing Veterans Memorial for the town of Bushong and Veterans from North Lyon County, Kansas.

New Event Addition! Mini-Mission Dash! This event is for children / kids able to ride a bike and 10 years of age or younger. Participants will be observable at all times by parents and guardians.

All activities for the "mission" will be child/age appropriate and safe. Face painting will only be allowed if approved by a parent/guardian for each child.

Age 7 and Under Distance for the ride will be .25 miles out and .25 miles back.

Age 8-10 ride distance will be .5 out and back.

start point is just south of the start point bridge will be the mission training area for parents and friends to observe the riders as well as their "mission phase" of the event. A map for this route and area is in the maps and timeline section of our site website. At the secret mission point each participant will be given several age-appropriate tasks to complete that have a "military mission style."

Participants earn a mission complete certificate, have opportunity to camo up with face paint and a custom event bib/bike registration plate and Sweet Granada Incredible and Edible Chocolate Medal. Free and limited to kids 10 and under.

"RUCK" Vigilance Martial Arts/EANGKS Norwegian Foot March 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 M