Ray Barrus
Memorial Race
Honoring a Grantsville legend. All proceeds fund a scholarship for Grantsville High School students.
Race Day Details
Everything you need to know for July 4th, 2026 in Grantsville, Utah.
Kids 1 Mile
Ages 12 & Under — 7:00 AM · $20 (includes shirt)
5K Race
All Ages — 7:30 AM · $25 (includes shirt)
Bib Pickup
Fri July 3: 5–8 PM · SE corner of GHS · Also available 6:30 AM race morning
Family
$80 — includes 4 shirts
Day-of Registration
5K: $35 · Kids 1 Mile: $30 · No family discount
Scholarship
All proceeds fund a Grantsville HS scholarship
Race Week Schedule
Mark your calendar — here's everything happening leading up to and on race day.
Monday, June 29
In-Person Registration
📍 Grantsville Soelberg's
Register in person — cash or card accepted. Online registration closes midnight July 3rd.
Friday, July 3
Bib & Shirt Pickup + Last Chance to Register
📍 Southeast corner of Grantsville High School
Pick up your bib and shirt the night before. Online registration closes at midnight tonight — after that, sign up race morning for $10 more.
Saturday, July 4
Race Day
📍 Grantsville High School (155 E Quirk St)
The Legacy
A. Ray Barrus
(1943–1994)
A Grantsville native, BYU All-American, and winner of the first-ever Deseret News Marathon in 1970. Ray finished second at the NCAA Championships in the steeplechase and competed internationally before dedicating his life to coaching and teaching.
After an 8½-year courageous battle with cancer, Ray passed away at 51. This race honors his extraordinary spirit and funds scholarships for Grantsville High School athletes.
Read His Full StoryUtah's Favorite 4th of July 5K
Every Independence Day morning, hundreds of runners and families gather in Grantsville, Utah for one of Tooele County's most beloved traditions.
A Community Celebration in Grantsville
Nestled in Tooele County about 35 miles west of Salt Lake City, Grantsville is the kind of small town where July 4th still means something special. The streets come alive before sunrise as families line the course, neighbors cheer from their front porches, and runners of every age — from toddlers to grandparents — toe the starting line together.
The Ray Barrus Memorial Race has been the heartbeat of that celebration since 1996. What started as a small tribute to a local running legend has grown into one of Utah's most cherished Independence Day 5K events, drawing participants from across the Wasatch Front and beyond.
Whether you're chasing a personal record, running your first 5K, or just want a fun way to kick off the holiday with your kids, this race welcomes everyone. The gently rolling course through the heart of Grantsville — slightly uphill through the first mile, then descending back toward the finish with a brief uphill sprint to the line — is perfect for beginners and competitive runners alike, and the Kids 1 Mile gives the youngest members of your family their own moment to shine.
More Than a Race — A Living Memorial
The race honors A. Ray Barrus, an All-American distance runner from Grantsville who won the inaugural Deseret News Marathon in 1970, coached track at colleges and high schools across Utah for decades, and inspired everyone he met with his quiet strength and relentless work ethic. After an 8½-year battle with cancer, Ray passed away in 1994, and his community came together two years later to run in his memory.
Every registration dollar goes toward a scholarship for a Grantsville High School student athlete — a direct extension of Ray's lifelong mission to lift young people through sport. When you run this race, you're not just crossing a finish line; you're investing in the next generation of Grantsville athletes.
Come for the run. Stay for the fireworks. This is Utah's July 4th 5K the way it was meant to be — fast, friendly, and full of heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Grantsville 4th of July race.
Still have questions? Reach out to Race Director Porter Whitworth.
Contact UsRun for a Cause This July 4th
Lace up for a beautiful morning run through Grantsville. Every registration supports a scholarship for a local Grantsville student.
Register for 2026