Fireball Classic Memorial Race
Race Day: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Location: Wintersmith Park, Ada, OK
🎆Fireball Classic 2026 Recap: Record-Breaking Turnout and Incredible Impact
The 2026 Fireball Classic Memorial Race was our biggest yet, with 633 registered participants (up from 584 last year)! Together, we raised over $46,000.00 (from runners and sponsors combined) to support Back to School Basics!
Backpack Buddies are direct donors to the Fireball Classic fundraising effort (Back to School Basics). They help to equip area students will the school supplies they need to start the school year strong.
🏁 Fireball Classic 2026 Race Results
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Fireball Classic Memorial Race! 🎉 Official results for both the 5K and 10K are now available and include full age division breakdowns:
- 🔥 5K Results: View 5K Results & Age Divisions
- 🔥 10K Results: View 10K Results & Age Divisions
Special thanks to our friends at Twelve:One Running for providing top-notch race timing services. ⏱️
Fireball 2026 Photos: We shattered participant and fundraising records!
On July 4, 2026, more than 600 runners, walkers, and families gathered at Wintersmith Park for the Fireball Classic Memorial Race, raising over $46,000 for Back to School Basics and teacher grants for Pontotoc County students and educators. It was one of the most successful races in the event's history, made possible by the generosity of Ada's community, businesses, and sponsors. Check out the photo album! A special thank you to our volunteer photographer Stevies Captures for her amazing work!
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors!
Ada Sunrise Rotary is proud to recognize Mercy as our Elite Sponsor for the 2026 Fireball Classic Memorial Run!
- Ada Smile Place - Trey Edwards
- Halo Hospice
- Laundrum ENT
- Diamond Plumbing
- The Oka' Institute
- Edward Jones-Michael Milsap
- Advanced Eye Care - Dr. Gurley/Dr. Presley
- Bryan Bratton, DDS-Ada Family Dentistry
- Courtney Bratton, OD-Midtown Aesthetics
- Lena Craig, DDS - All Smiles Dental & Orthodontics
- Murphy's This-N-That
- PEC
- Ron and Nancy Thomason
- Ada Family Chiropractic
- Citizens Bank & Trust
- Pampered Paw
- Ray's Travel Service
- Brown's Shoe Fit
- Stevie's Captures
🏁 Fireball Classic Memorial Race - July 4, 2026 🏁
The Fireball Classic Memorial Race returned on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at beautiful Wintersmith Park in Ada, Oklahoma. This beloved Independence Day tradition brings together runners, walkers, families, and community supporters for a morning of fitness, fun, and community spirit.
The Fireball Classic featured:
- 🔥 10K Run
- 🔥 5K Run
- 👟 Family Fun Run / Walk
- 🏃 Brady Durham's Fastest Kid in Town (Kids Race)
🗺️ 2026 Course Maps
5K Course – The 5K is a scenic 2-lap route around Wintersmith Lake. Start and finish at Wintersmith Lodge. Follow the orange arrows, two full loops around the lake and you're done!
10K Course (Out and Back) – The 10K follows an out-and-back route through Wintersmith Park and out along Cradduck Road and Ahloso Road to a turnaround point, then back to the Lodge along the other side of Wintersmith Park.
Key navigation notes for 10K runners:
- Heading out: Follow S Scenic Dr into Pine St and turn left on Cradduck Rd. Stay left on Cradduck Rd (do not cross the highway)
- Heading back: Go right at Pine St to Wintersmith Dr (around the other side of the park)
- Look for course signs and volunteers at key turns
Note: Due to ongoing construction, the 2026 10K uses the same out-and-back route as last year. We appreciate your patience and understanding!
❤️ Supporting Local Students
Proceeds from the Fireball Classic support the Back to School Basics program organized by Ada Sunrise Rotary. Each year, this initiative provides school supplies to hundreds of area students, helping ensure they begin the school year prepared for success. By participating in the Fireball Classic, runners and sponsors help make a direct impact in the Ada community.
If you have questions about the event, please let us know!
Fireball 2025 Photos: Rain or Shine, the Fireball Classic Brought the Heat!
Despite the downpour, our community showed up in full force, with big smiles, soggy shoes, and unstoppable energy. From determined runners to drenched-but-dedicated volunteers and cheering fans, the 2025 Fireball Classic was a true testament to Ada’s spirit and resilience. We’re so proud of everyone who made this event a success!
We’ve started collecting some amazing photos that capture the joy, grit, and camaraderie of the day. Check out the album below to relive the memories, and if you’ve got more pics to share, tag us on Facebook or use #FireballClassicAda. Rain can't wash away the spirit of Fireball, Rotary, or this incredible community! We've also put a few of our favorites below!
Here are a few fun photos from 2024 and previous years!
Every Fourth of July, hundreds of runners gather at Wintersmith Park to take part in a beloved Ada tradition: the Fireball Classic Memorial Race. It’s a day of community, competition, and celebration. But have you ever wondered where the event gets its memorable name?
The name is a direct tribute to a true local legend, a man whose impact on Ada athletics is still felt today: Coach Ralph Evans.
So, who was Ralph Evans? He was a successful athlete at East Central University, known for his formidable speed and competitive drive on the track. He was also known by the unforgettable nickname, "Fireball."
After his running career, Evans dedicated his life to mentoring young athletes. His celebrated coaching career was so impactful that it led to his induction into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1981.
As a passionate advocate for running in the community, Coach Evans served as the inspiration for the annual Fourth of July race. To recognize his dedication to the sport, the event was named the "Fireball Classic" in his honor.
Today, the Ada Sunrise Rotary Club is honored to carry on this tradition. The competitive spirit and community focus that Coach Evans championed are alive and well. Now, the race not only celebrates his legacy but also serves another vital community purpose: all proceeds benefit our Back to School Basics program, which provides backpacks and school supplies to over 1,000 students in Pontotoc County.
So, when you lace up your shoes on July 4th, take a moment to remember Ralph "Fireball" Evans. You're not just running a race; you're participating in a piece of Ada history and honoring a local legend whose fiery spirit continues to inspire us all.
Be a Part of the Tradition!
You can honor the legacy of Coach "Fireball" Evans and support local students by participating the next race!