Published in the June 27, 2018 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Get your running shoes ready.

The Lynnfield Athletic Association’s 51st annual Fourth of July 5K Road Race will return on Wednesday, July 4.

The LAA will be using proceeds from this year’s road race in order to purchase equipment for the new Lynnfield Middle School track and field complex. The LAA purchased $8,000 worth of track equipment this spring, including timing systems, batons, hurdles, measuring tapes, starting blocks and javelins.

“LAA is looking forward to kicking off the Fourth of July celebrations in town with our 51st Road Race,” said LAA President Kristen Shinnick in an email sent to the Villager. “With the resurfacing of the track started, we are even more motivated to raise the funds needed.”

The LAA has added a virtual race component to the Fourth of July Road Race for the first time. The organization implemented the virtual race as part of an effort to increase participation during one of the busiest vacation weeks of the year.

“Virtual races are gaining in popularity, especially with the advances in technology available,” Shinnick recently told the Villager. “Virtual races allow people to be part of a running community on their own terms. There is no pressure of a start and finish line or even a busy schedule to work around. We have heard from so many families who said they would love to participate in our race but are away on vacation on the actual day of the race. The virtual race solves that problem.” 

Residents interested in participating in the virtual race are required to register at www.active.com and search for Lynnfield Athletic Association. The LAA is encouraging virtual participants to share a photo of themselves wearing a road race T-shirt with the hashtag #LAA5K on the organization’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

“We will be having an additional T-shirt pick up time on Thursday, June 28 for virtual race participants,” said Shinnick. “Don’t forget to send us a picture #LAA5K.”

If residents don’t use social media, they can email their virtual race photos to LAA4th@hotmail.com. Virtual race participants have the option to share their results or keep them private.

Race details

If residents are interested in running the 51st LAA Fourth of July Road Race in town, check-in and race day registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Town Hall. The race will begin at 9 a.m.

The registration fee for the road race is $20 for people age 17 and under is $20. The fee for people 18 and over is $25. The virtual 5K fee is $20.

Similar to previous years, the LAA will be holding a raffle and awards ceremony after the race. Awards will be presented to the following male and female runners in each of the following categories.

• Overall first place: Male and female.

• Top finishers from LHS: Male and female.

• Male and female in the following age groups:

• Age 70+ first place.

• Age 60-60 first place.

• Age 50-59: First, second and third place.

• Age 40-49: First, second and third place.

• Age 30-39: First, second and third place.

• Age 20-29: First, second and third place.

• Age 15-19: First, second and third place.

• Age 11-14: First, second third place.

• Under 10: First, second and third place.

If residents have any questions about LAA’s Fourth of July Road Race or the virtual race, send an email to LAA4th@hotmail.com. The race will be held rain or shine.