Published in the June 13, 2018 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — With the school year drawing to a close next week, Lynnfieldians are gearing up for another summer of fun.

The town will kick off the summer when the Lynnfield Athletic Association (LAA) holds its 51st annual Fourth of July 5K Road Race on Wednesday, July 4.

LAA President Kristen Shinnick said this year’s road race will be raising funds in order to purchase equipment for the new Lynnfield Middle School track and field complex.

“Participation in the Lynnfield High School track program has been remarkable the last few years,” said Shinnick in an email sent to the Villager. “A once struggling program now has about 120 athletes involved this spring season. Unfortunately, it has been several years since Lynnfield has been able to host a home track meet because of the unsafe conditions of the previous middle school track. We were also lacking proper areas for the athletes to practice their field events. We are so excited with the construction of the new track at the middle school.”

Shinnick said the LAA purchased $8,000 worth of equipment this spring, which she said “included items such as timing systems, batons, hurdles, measuring tapes, starter pistols, starting blocks and javelins.” 

“We have committed all proceeds from this year’s road race to help offset the approximately $23,000 needed for the new high jump and pole vault pit packages for the field events,” said Shinnick.

As part of an effort to increase participation in this year’s Fourth of July Road Race, the LAA is implementing a virtual race for the first time.

“A virtual race is a race that can be run or walked from any location you choose,” said Shinnick. “You can run, jog, or walk on the road, on the trail, on the beach, on the treadmill, at the gym or on the track or even at another race. You get to run your own race at your own pace.”

Shinnick said residents interested in participating in the virtual race are required to register at www.active.com. Interested participants should search for Lynnfield Athletic Association.

“We will have their race bibs and T-shirts available for them before school is out so they can participate in the virtual race over the Fourth of July week,” said Shinnick. “We are encouraging virtual race participants to share a photo of themselves wearing their race T-shirt with the Hashtag #LAA5K on our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages. We can’t wait to see all the places people post from. We may even award a prize to the most liked post.”

If residents don’t use social media, they can email their virtual race photos to LAA4th@hotmail.com.

Virtual 5K Race participants will be able to pick up their bib and T-shirt at LHS’ snack shack on Monday, June 18 between 7-8 p.m. Virtual race participants will be able to complete the 5K anytime and anywhere between July 1 and July 7.

Shinnick said the LAA decided to add the virtual component to the road race in order to get more people involved.

“Virtual races are gaining in popularity, especially with the advances in technology available,” said Shinnick. “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.” 

Road race supporter Susie Cleary, who has been helping the LAA raise awareness about the new initiative, said it’s up to Virtual 5K Race participants to decide whether they share their results.

“We want as many people as possible to participate and feel part of an online running community,” Cleary wrote on the www.active.com page. “Your results are your business. If you want to share them, we would love to see them. But if you don’t even want to track your activity, that is okay too. This is about sharing your experience and supporting the LAA.”

While the Fourth of July Road Race will be raising funds exclusively for track equipment this year, Shinnick said the LAA will continue raising funds for scholarships and other initiatives by undertaking additional fundraisers.

“Typically, the road race would help fund all our initiatives such as scholarships and equipment and will do so again going forward,” said Shinnick. “It is only this summer’s race that we are committing to the track. We were looking for a way to fundraise quickly for the track and saw the road race as a perfect tie in this one time. We have continued raising money at the snack shack this spring for scholarships and equipment for next year.” 

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.

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.

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

Shinnick thanked residents and businesses for supporting the LAA.

“We are very grateful to all our generous sponsors and the community for supporting our efforts,” said Shinnick.