Firecracker 4 Celebrates 20 Years

Let the Fireworks Begin!

By Laura Clark

While the Saratoga Springs has long enjoyed a storied reputation as the “Summer Place to Be,” this year is extra special since the hometown event, the Firecracker 4 Road Race, is celebrating its 20th year. While Thanksgiving Day is undisputedly the most popular race day in the US, runner-up position belongs to Fourth of July events, with the Firecracker 4, holding its own as the largest Independence Day race in New York State. While Turkey Day is self-explanatory, 4th races are about community and tradition, especially during this year’s 250th birthday. It’s a great time to explore historic Saratoga Springs and enjoy some of Battle of Saratoga events: saratoga250.com. Tour the Saratoga Battlefield where the odds turned in our favor, hike the Adirondacks or Catskills, paddle the waterways, bike the roads or trails, and enjoy downtown shopping and patio dining. 

 Created in 2006 by Peter Goutos and Bob Vanderminden, as a fundraiser for the award-winning Saratoga Springs High School running teams and Kinetic Running Club, the Firecracker 4 is a prime example of out-of-the box thinking, with the rejection of the ubiquitous 5K distance in favor of a four-miler, an acknowledgement of the historic significance of the July 4th day when Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence. 

In keeping with its community focus, the Firecracker 4 serves as the opener for city-wide festivities stretching throughout the day and culminating in a breathtaking fireworks display. Race director Peter Goutos anticipates a field of 2,500, a large increase from the original 200 runners and walkers. For those who will never travel to a big-city marathon, this event is as close as you can get, with local bands and musicians lining the course and residents setting up impromptu refreshment and sprinkler stations in front of their homes. For me, this is my favorite part, as it seems like the entire town is acknowledging your effort. If you are not physically running or walking, then you are either volunteering or cheering. When Covid struck, the race still maintained a strong virtual presence – one of my favorite memories was selecting Saratoga Battlefield’s Wilkinson Trail as my four-mile route and meeting others also tracing the footsteps of their forefathers.

Anticipation mounts from June 11 to July 2, with Fleet Feet’s twice-weekly free lead-up training programs designed by coach Mark Mindel for athletes of all abilities, to get you ready to run Firecracker 4. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain confidence, have fun, and meet new running mates. Saturday mornings are at the Saratoga Springs High School track, while Thursday evenings meet at various restaurants (see details online and in our calendar). All feature Asics shoe demos, raffles, and either free trackside refreshments or an opportunity to purchase fare at the host restaurant.

Race day festivities get underway at 8:15am with the free two-tenths of a mile Firecracker Sparkler Kids Run, leaving plenty of time for parents to encourage their children, and then reconvene on Broadway for the main event. Sponsored by Building on Love, kids will delight in their well-earned swag. After the traditional Star-Spangled Banner, athletes will cruise down South Broadway past Congress Park and then proceed on a tour of residential East Side neighborhoods, making sure to reserve some energy for the final push up Excelsior Avenue hill – if you need to cool down, grab a popsicle for the last stretch! And as you near the top, remember to look up and see the Saratoga Springs Fire Department’s hook and ladder truck, proudly hoisting the Stars and Stripes. In keeping with the community emphasis, this is an all-inclusive event, including Ainsley’s Angels pushers and riders, runners and joggers of all abilities, and a large contingent of walkers. And all finishers get a commemorative medal!

For longtime participants Dan and Deb Brown of Ballston Spa, all the hype surrounding the event builds anticipation. Pre-race they look forward to visiting with friends and gathering for a huge Saratoga Stryders running club’s photo op. One year, Dan helped lead the runners by marching ahead in a veterans’ cadence group, although being a competitive runner, he mentioned it was frustrating since he knew he could run the race much faster! Still, he emphasizes, “With all the runners, unless you’re near the front you may not get your best clock time, but the experience is more about celebration and community spirit!”

And then… let the celebration begin! Major events offer cash prizes to elite runners and Firecracker 4 is no exception, with prize money for the top three male/female open and masters. USATF running clubs are also invited to compete for team monetary prizes. Additionally, runners and walkers from local schools, businesses, neighborhoods, faith groups, and civic organizations are encouraged to register as a Run Your Colors team. Teams with the most participants get to pass their community spirit forward with a check earmarked for their chosen charity. 

As you wait for the awards to be announced, grab a post-race snack, chat with your friends, enjoy the music, and visit the vendor booths. My favorite is the free photobooth where you can commemorate your day. Your afterglow will extend to the local wellness nonprofits you’ve helped support through your registration: Saratoga Rec’s Summer Running Program at the Pitney Community Farm, Saratoga Springs HS-Racing City Running Club, Building on Love, Albany VA Walking Program, AIM Services Campus/Trail Design Construction, and Great Camp Sagamore’s Adaptative Trail Accessibility. According to Peter Goutos, “It’s very important to us to help move the wellness and fitness movement ahead in our region. We give the proceeds of this race to organizations that are forward-thinking and supportive of athletes of all ages, abilities. and backgrounds. We also want to help build infrastructure here that will be used for generations to come.” 

Another great community event produced by the Firecracker 4 team is the Jeff Clark Memorial Silks & Satins 5K, which twists through East Side neighborhoods near Saratoga Race Course’s Oklahoma Training Track. Normally held on the first weekend of horse racing season, this has proven difficult now with the lengthened track season positioning it neck and neck with the Firecracker. Consequently, it has been moved to the Home Stretch weekend on Saturday, Sept. 5, a fitting bookend to the summer season. Long known as the “locals weekend,” this is the time for residents to visit the track as many tourists have gone home, the atmosphere is more relaxed, and the lines are shorter. For details and register for both races, visit fc4events.com. I hope you enjoy your Saratoga Summer!

Laura Clark (snowshoegal133@gmail.com) of Saratoga Springs is an avid trail runner, ultramarathoner, snowshoer and cross-country skier. She is a children’s librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.