The Bill Bergan 5k on the Fourth

The Bill Bergan 5k on the Fourth is a 5k run/walk at Ada Hayden Park in Ames, Iowa, built around the Independence Day holiday. Runners and walkers can join the in-person race with a morning shotgun start, or choose a virtual 5k and complete the distance during the holiday window. The race raises money for Friendship Ark Homes & Community Services, a nonprofit that provides homes and community support for adults with intellectual disabilities. Age-group awards run from kids 9 and under through older adult divisions, with the top three in each category recognized, and the patriotic theme shows up in a special prize for the best-dressed participant.