Folsom Handcar Derby Fundraiser

Pumping for over 3 decades
‘End of an Era’ Racing the last “Annual” race in Folsom, CA – USA
May 24th & 25th, 2025 – Thank You for being a part of History !
Folsom Times – Final Run Article

2025 FINAL TIMES FOR FOLSOM HANDCAR DERBY Download

Overview

1992 to 2025, Folsom, El Dorado, and Sacramento Historical Railroad Association has hosted the annual Folsom Handcar Derby on the former Southern Pacific Placerville Branch, where local businesses, groups, and charities compete to get their handcar across the finish line in the fastest time.

The event also featured competitions for individual strength and endurance, and was the only known event in the world to feature Quadripede racing!

The event took place along East Bidwell Street at Broadstone Parkway in front of Broadstone Marketplace.

Our official racing handcars were provided by Handcar Racing for all trials & racing.
All participants had to be at least 18 years old on date of event.
Timing was done electronically.
The event ran rain or shine.
All proceeds benefited Folsom, El Dorado, and Sacramento Historical Railroad Association, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Handcar Racing

Each team was comprised of 5 members: 4 pumpers and 1 pusher. The pusher pushes the handcar into motion at the beginning of the track, and then the pumpers take over and pump the handcar to the end of the track.

Pushers Contest

Each team’s pusher will automatically be entered in the pushers contest on Sunday. Pushers are placed in weight divisions and compete on how far they can push an empty handcar down the track with a single push.
Additional pushers were entered for a small donation.

Quadripede Racing

Divisions

Divisions
Open No more than two team members that were part of a past first place team in the last three years are allowed.
Open Elite All team members must be past first place medal winners from the Folsom Handcar Derby or other handcar races.
Coed At least 2 team members must be women.
Coed Elite All team members must be past first place medal winners from the Folsom Handcar Derby or other handcar races.
Women All team members must be women.
Women Elite All team members must be women. All team members must be past first place medal winners from the Folsom Handcar Derby or other handcar races.

Seniors
All team members must be 55 years old or older.

Masters
All team members must be 40 years of age or over.

Awards/Medals

Award medals were presented to each of the divisions. Pusher Contest medals were given to the top two distances in all divisions.

Normal Schedule

The race took place along East Bidwell Street at Broadstone Parkway in front of Broadstone Marketplace.

Saturday,

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Registration/Practice/Qualifying
Teams get practice, trial time run, and safety training on handcar. All teams from each division running trial runs will advance to the finals. (Set aside about 90 minutes per team for Saturday)
Specific time slots can be arranged with Race Director (916) 496-5032
Team Photos

Sunday,

8:30am	Pushers Practice Time
9:00am	Pusher’s Contest
9:45am – 10:00am	Opening Ceremony
*10:00am	Handcar Racing
*1:00pm	Quadripede Racing


2:00pm – End *Event & times subject to change or cancelation	Award Ceremony/Photos Awards will be presented to the first and second place teams of each of the divisions when at least 4 teams are entered in that division. Pusher Contest awards will be given to the top two distances in all divisions. Teardown All teams are included. It’s an event tradition!

Fees

Entry fee was $25.00 per person for the 5 member team (total $125.00).
The first 20 teams entered will received a short-sleeve Handcar t-shirt.
Quadripede racing was $10.00 per person per race. Two people are required to race. Racing for time is not a requirement, fun is.
Pushers Contest was $5.00 per additional person (Qualified team pushers are free)