FRANKENMUTH, MI — While the running doesn’t begin until 8 a.m. Thursday, the Volkslaufe party began Wednesday, July 3, at Frankenmuth’s Heritage Park.

More than 2,700 runners are expected to compete in the 37th annual Volkslaufe races, beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday. But the race “party” began Wednesday at 5 p.m. when the Beer Garden and Runners Marketplace opened at Heritage Park.

Also at 5 p.m., spaghetti dinners were served with live music at Heritage Park.

Fireworks capped Volkslaufe Eve, beginning at 10:15 p.m. and running for more than 20 minutes.

The Volkslaufe races begin Thursday at 8 a.m., beginning with the National Anthem at 7:50 p.m. and the race invocation at 7:55 a.m. The 10-kilometer race starts at 8 a.m., followed by the 20K at 8:10 a.m. The 5K is at 10 a.m. with the 2K Gemuetlichkeit Fun Run at 11 a.m.