Firecracker 4-Miler: Running Around Saratoga
On Friday morning, I woke up, a bit later than expected, and drove to Saratoga for the Firecracker 4-Miler. It has been a community tradition in Saratoga Springs, New York since 2006, nineteen years ago, organized by FC4 Events. They have used donations to assist in the completion of the Spring Run Trail, Geyser Road Trail, and trail development at Pitney Meadows Community Farm. They also host the Revolutionary Run 5K in Schuylerville where it raises money for the Saratoga County Veterans Trust Fund, providing services to local veterans.
Downtown Saratoga was packed with people, as I had to park four blocks away from the starting line. Saratoga, with its horse racing, performing arts center, and upper-class atmosphere, has gravitated a huge increase in development, driving more tourists and residents into the area over the past couple decades. Glens Falls, a short drive north, is currently in the midst of exciting developments, and I hope that it continues to match the success of Saratoga with the mindset of sustainability and affordability. I rushed to the Saratoga City Center to pick up my race bib, noticing that my race number, #2359, had the longest line. I mentally noted to register much sooner to snag a lower number.
In line, I chatted with the host of the Inspire Saratoga Podcast, Michael Kukowski, noting that his inspirational tattoos were cool. We shared a common acquaintance, Michael Nelson, editor and owner of the Buying Local podcast and newspaper. I had just recently got my second article published; the paper can be found in SPoT Coffee or Hannaford in Glens Falls. Race bib and goodie bag in hand, I headed back to the car before the race begins, stumbling into some Adirondack Runners along the way. As I walked back to the starting line, a musician was performing a rocking guitar version of the Star-Spangled Banner to an excited crowd.
Looking around at downtown of Saratoga, the thousands of people in the crowd, and the beautiful blue sky above, I began to think of the circumstances almost two-hundred and fifty years ago during the war against Britan. Back in 1777, the first Battle of Saratoga occurred on John Freeman’s farm, a British loyalist. Commanded by General Horatio Gates, the colonists attempted to push back potential control of the Hudson River by the British armies. The Continental Army had just been defeated in the Battle of Quebec two years prior, but for those that survived, their courage remained intact. While the initial battle in mid-September led to a temporary defeat, the colonists ultimately overcame the struggle and defeated the British and German armies eighteen days later in October of 1777. The Battle of Saratoga is one of many stories of perseverance and triumph.
As the clock struck nine o-clock, I started the timer on my watch and walked with the crowd over the starting the line. This is quite a big race considering it was packed with runners, unable to fully extend our stride. I still had fun, regardless, chatting with a runner and his son wearing matching dinosaur shorts or reconnecting with my neighbor, Lisa, who was also running with her son. On the main stretch, the first incline stretched in the distance as we ran past the headquarters of Death Wish Coffee, my favorite brand of coffee.
Circling around to Circular Street, we passed a man playing a bagpipe, as the crowds and runners cheered. He was wearing typical Irish garb, playing tunes to lift everyone’s spirits. Up ahead, there was a car with its hazards illuminated, apparently caught unaware of the race. The woman in the driver’s seat stared ahead, waiting for all the runners and walkers to pass. I chatted with runners around me, thinking of zombie apocalyptic scenarios, especially with a runner garnishing red splotches on their shirt in front.
Around mile two, I heard music from the Rocky movies blasting from a local resident’s speaker, along with sprinklers cooling off passing runners. There was a toddler up ahead with a water gun, hosing down runners and walkers as well. The atmosphere in the community was electrifying, allowing of us to persevere through the heat. There was a half-dozen guitarists strung along the course, playing music from the recent decades. Before the next mile marker, we turned a sharp corner as the street sloped down precipitously. Unfortunately, the road’s incline began to rise, as all of us pushed through the grueling climb back to the top.
Around mile three, we were nearly finished, we ran down the long stretch of Excelsior Avenue. We passed by local restaurants, like Saratoga Awesome Dogs, 9 Miles Farm, and Olde Bryan Inn, with patrons chomping down on their food and cheering the runners. Up ahead, all of us saw the giant American flag, hanging down from a construction vehicle, signaling that the finish was close. Running underneath the flag, I crossed my heart, remembering all of the falling veterans, like my grandfathers, and slowly increased my speed. Sprinting toward the finish and crossing the line at under thirty-nine minutes, I felt exhausted but elated.
Grabbing a water from one of the volunteers and looking surprised at a teenager carrying four 24-packs of water, I made my way to a few of the fellow Adirondack Runners. We connected about our experiences in the race, snapped a couple group photos, and started to walk toward Uncommon Grounds for a post-race coffee. When we arrived, the place was packed as the line snaked all around the place. So, we opted to continue walking a couple more blocks to SPoT coffee, a smaller northeast coffee chain that started in Buffalo, New York.
We continued our conversations, delving into family histories, future endeavors, and community. I learned a little more about Cristina Marchese, who was born in Italy and moved to the United States when she was five years old. Christine Cifone-Clohosey has asked me to consider working with Cristina to delve into co-race directing the Polar Cap Run that used to occur in Lake George every February. I have volunteered for many races in the past but never felt the courage to orchestrate a race. Still debating about it, I offered to join the Adirondack Runners next board meeting on July 9th to learn more.
After an hour, we parted ways as the Independence Day celebrations continued. Once I got home, Michael and I biked to the local river beach at Haviland’s Cove to enjoy a day in the water and sun. Later that evening, my friends, Julie and Meredith, joined us at our home to watch Hamilton the musical together, culminating in a superbly wonderful day. As I wrote in my recent piece about the state of our current administration, the United States of America, celebrating 249 years of independence from the tyranny of early British monarchy, is a collection of voices that demand to be heard. Be a part of positive change, learn from others’ experiences, and mold a society that treats everyone with dignity and respect.
