FIVE QUESTIONS
Patrick Lynskey is the race director for the Firecracker4, a four-mile road race through Saratoga Springs set for 9 a.m. July 4. More than 4,000 runners are expected to toe the line and Lynskey, who is in his second year as race director, shares his thoughts on this year’s edition.
1 What’s the course route?
Our event begins and ends at the Saratoga City Center. It’s a runner-friendly course that takes participants south on Broadway to Circular Street, east through the historic residential district and then returns to the City Center. It’s a great way to see different areas of Saratoga Springs. We have lined up 18 bands along the course to keep runners moving.
2 Talk about the team aspect of the event.
Although runners are welcome to run on their own, we also encourage participants to form male/female/co-ed teams, including open, USATF Adirondack clubs, military, public safety, scholastic. We also have more than 40 Run Your Colors teams. In that category, the top three teams with the most registered runners receive money to donate to a not-for-profit of their choosing. We 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.
3 What else is slated as part of the event?
The Firecracker4 will be followed at 10:50 a.m. by the Firecracker Sparkler Kids’ Run, a half-mile fun run down Broadway for more than 500 kids of all ages and abilities presented by The Children’s Museum at Saratoga. 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. After finishing their runs, participants and spectators are then invited to wander through the event’s vendor village featuring an array of food, apparel and running/fitness/health vendors. 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 8:45-11 a.m. Participants and spectators are also 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. A full event schedule can be found at www. saratogajuly4th.com.
4 What key details do participants need to know?
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, and a large vendor village located at the start/finish area. 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. 5 What are the registration details? Folks can sign up at firecracker4.com for $35 through July 2 at midnight and then $40 at in-person registration at the City Center on July 3 and July 4. For more information, including volunteer opportunities, please visit the website.