Favorite Independence Day race?

[kevinspradlin]

So, what is it? Does a local race do something really well on Independence Day? Does it matter of the race is on the 3rd, 4th or 5th?

Must there be fireworks after the race? Or just beer? Something else?

I did a July 4 race a few years ago at Fort Lewis, Washington, and with the military bands, service men and women in uniform (I was in running gear, of course), it really played up the patriotic theme better than most I've been a part of.

Also, the race was just a part of the day's larger celebration with a static display of aircraft and land vehicles and other things for people to see. My kids had a good time.

It did lack the "community feeling," though, because everyone was afraid of bumping into someone else who outranked them or something. So, pros

Unfortunately, the course wasn't marked and to this day I don't believe it was accurately measured, so from the running perspective, that took something away from it. Overall, A-.

[Justin]

The best 4th race I've done is Peachtree. It was nuts, 55,000 people running down Peachtree St. It isn't great for running fast times, but I'd recommend it for the experience and to have a "good time" race. I didn't like it when I ran it, I was shooting for a decent time and with the weather and crowd it was tough, but as far as a neat experience looking back it was pretty fun. I was even in the sub-seeded section and the crowd was still pretty bad, so if you were looking to run fast make sure you're in the seeded section.

[kevinspradlin]

I've heard that about Peachtree before - but like you, the athletes I've talked with also said it's a "must do" race. I didn't realize it was on the 4th, though. Been to Atlanta once or twice to watch a Braves game, but never for a run.

[frojoe23]

A few years ago, Frostburg had the Derby Day 5k which was held in in the morning prior to the Derby races. (it may have been in the evening one year though). It wasn't anything fancy, and there usually wasn't a great turnout, but it was a chance for me to run a race in town for once. There used to be a plethora of 5k's in Frostburg, but now the only race here is the Main Street Mile and I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to run that one again.

[kevinspradlin]

Maybe that's a conversation/possibility we can explore another day. I am looking for a site for a New Year's Day race. I kinda figured Cumberland but Frostburg certainly has a draw to it.