Sudbury July 4th Road Race Turns 50

Park & Recreation Department (posted: Thursday, June 26, 2014) | Email this story

50th Running of the Sudbury July 4th Road Race

This year the Sudbury July Fourth Road Race is celebrating its 50th running. The 50 years have been enough to bring the race into the digital age; for the first time it will be possible to register online -- at https://www.runreg.com/sudbury-july-4th-road-race-2014 It will also be possible to pre-register using the paper registration form available as an attached file to an email announcement sent to all of the runners who participated in the last two races. As in past years, the registration forms are also available at four locations: Goodnow Library, Brine’s Sporting Goods, Graphic Connections and Park and Recreation at the Fairbank Center. The race committee strongly urges runners to preregister. Those 14 and over who do will pay the customary $15 fee; adults who post-register must pay a $20 fee. The fee for Kids 9-13 will be $10 pre- or post-registration. Pre-registration will also ensure a T-shirt in the size you request. Applications submitted before race day must be accompanied by a check for the correct amount. No application will be accepted without a check. Applications must be postmarked no later than June 27. Children under the age of 9 will not be permitted to run. A waiver of liability is required of all runners. Only participants 18 years or older may sign the waiver, so those under 18 must have their parents sign for them. If parents are unable to be at registration they should pre-register their children

Another important change this year will be the earlier start times. Registration will open at 7:30 a.m. The 1.5-mile race for kids 9-13 years old will go off at 8:30; the 3.75-mile race for runners 14 years and older will begin at 9:00. The earlier starts, hopefully, will make for cooler runs and ease the rush in getting to other July Fourth events, most notably the parade.

Other particulars of the race are those of previous years. It takes place at Featherland Park and starts at the entrance on Concord Road. To keep the entire course clear of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, runners and spectators are asked to enter the Featherland parking lot by the Morse Road entrance. The entrance on Concord Road will be cordoned off. Runners must stay off the road until the race is about to start because traffic on Concord Road will be stopped only a few minutes earlier. Runners must run within the cones on the east side of Concord Road until the entrance to Featherland where police will provide safe crossing. Runners are free, of course, to use the walkway.

Trophies will be awarded to the first three finishers in each of 11 age categories, including Clydesdale and Filly. As tradition has it in this hometown race, only Sudbury residents or runners who grew up in Sudbury are eligible to win trophies and prizes, but other runners are certainly welcome. The first 350 runners to register will receive T-shirts. The registration form is the same as last year; runners select their age category or, alternatively, the Clydesdale or Filly categories. They should not circle more than one category. Registration on race day is clearly an option.

To celebrate the 50th running there will be a number of special features. Commemorative running caps and pint glasses will be available as prizes and raffle items. Some will also be for sale, so don’t leave home without money. The raffle will take place as soon as all, or nearly all, of the runners in the 3.75-mile race have finished. There will be raffle prizes worth the wait to see if you are lucky. There will be music provided by the Ancient Fyfe and Drum Companie to impel runners to the finish line.

The race and all its amenities would not be possible without the very generous support of our sponsors, especially Middlesex Savings Bank, Graphic Connections, Sudbury Farms and Bullfinches Restaurant. Generous contributions by Bistro 20, Sierras, Brine’s Sporting Goods, Learning Express and Allegra Design and Printing are also much appreciated.

Sudbury July Fourth Road Race Committee

For more information call Bob Hall at 978-443-8404 or Graham Taylor at 978-443-5024