Photos provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — If you’re looking to begin your July 4th festivities in an invigorating fashion, register now for the 12th annual Firecracker4, a fourmile road race through Saratoga Springs that celebrates and honors America’s history. The first 3,700 registrants to sign up at firecracker4.com will receive a commemorative men’s and women’s cut tech shirt and swag bag. Other perks include chip timing with live results, text/email alerts, finisher certificates, $7,000 in cash prizes, 186 award categories and prizes, a large vendor village located at the start/finish area, and 20 bands along the course to keep runners moving. Those looking to support local veterans during registration can also purchase a Firecracker4 Twill running hat. Fifty one percent of the profit will be donated to the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency. The Firecracker4 entry free from June 16 to July 1 is $35, and then $40 through race day. For more registration information, please visit the website.
“This event continues to grow steadily each year because we offer runners a friendly course that starts and finishes at the Saratoga Springs City Center and we are supporting some great local charity groups,” said Race Director Patrick Lynskey.
“We also provide a fun morning out that the whole family can enjoy before heading off to other family activities, or they can stick around downtown Saratoga Springs for all of the festivities,” Lynskey continued.
The Firecracker4, which is a USATF Team Championship- and USATF/Saratoga Stryders Grand Prix- sanctioned event, gets underway at 9 a.m. and will be followed at 10 a.m. by an awards ceremony. The third annual Firecracker Sparkler Kids’ Run, a half-mile fun run down Broadway for more than 500 kids of all ages and abilities presented by the Saratoga Children’s Museum, will then begin at 10:55 a.m. right before the July 4th parade. All participants will receive a commemorative finisher’s medal and refreshments, and parents are invited to run with their children. The Firecracker Sparkler Kids’ Run entry fee is $5, and you can register online through July 2 at midnight at firecracker4.com. Participants can also sign up in person at registration/packet pick up held at the City Center on July 3 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and July 4 from 7 to 8:45 a.m.
“In keeping with the patriotic spirit of the day, we plan to have the Veterans Business Council formation run again this year,” said Lynskey, noting that the Firecracker4 plans to issue all runners with a flag-shaped bib, as well as hand out flag-shaped age group medals this year.
“Area veterans will form up and run to the start line, post the colors and then run the race in formation with the flag. Re-enactors from New York 2nd Continental Artillery will also help start the race with muskets. Their presence adds something extra special to the event,” he stated.
Runners are encouraged to form male/female/co-ed teams, including open, USATF Adirondack clubs, military, public safety, scholastic and Run Your Colors. The Run Your Colors team with the most registered runners will win a $1,000 first place team award donated to the not-forprofit of its choice. The second and third place teams will receive $500 and $250 respectively to donate to a charity of their choosing. Organizers will also hand out awards in five-year increments, as well as a special award category for military and public safety (police/ fire/EMS) competitors. After finishing their runs, participants and spectators are invited to wander through the event’s vendor village featuring an array of food, apparel and running/fitness/health vendors. A partial vendor list includes: Bodywork Professionals Saratoga, Orangetheory Fitness, Grasso’s Italian Ice, Camp Abilities Saratoga, Power House Athletics, 9 Miles East Farm, Army National Guard, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and SPoT Coffee. They can also listen to Funk Evolution, one of the Capital Region’s hottest horn-fueled funk/ R&B bands, perform on the main stage located at the City Center from 8:45 to 11 a.m.
“Farmers Hardware Saratoga and Gaffney’s will also provide finishers with one free adult beverage, while supplies last, as well as offer food and drink specials and entertainment all night near the finish line,” Lynskey added.
Participants and spectators are invited to stay in town to enjoy the city’s festive All-American Celebration featuring a parade, sidewalk sale, BBQ, classic car show, fireworks at dusk in Congress Park and much more. A full event schedule can be found at: www.saratogajuly4th.com. Those interested in running the Firecracker4 course before race day are invited to head to The Barrelhouse (68 Beekman Street in Saratoga) and Farmers Hardware (35 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs) on June 12, 19 and 26 at 6 p.m. The practice sessions, presented by Fleet Feet Sports, will enable participants to run the course as a preview for race day before meeting back at Farmers Hardware. For more information or to register, please visit firecracker4. com or call 518-587-1571.
