Annual LAA Fourth of July Road Race going virtual

Published June 24, 2020

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield Athletic Association’s 53rd annual Fourth of July Road Race will be virtual this year.

Lynnfield Athletic Association President Amy Nardone said the nonprofit organization was forced to hold a virtual race due to the ongoing COVID-19 virus pandemic.

“Unfortunately because of the pandemic, LAA couldn’t hold the traditional 5K on July 4, so we went 100 percent virtual this year,” said Nardone. “A virtual race can be run or walked anytime and anywhere, even indoors on a treadmill. The LAA virtual events will be held throughout the month of July. Participants can complete their distance on July 4 or on any other day throughout the month of July.”

Nardone noted the highly anticipated summertime tradition raises funds for scholarships for Lynnfield High School student-athletes. This year’s road race is critically important because the high school’s Snack Shack was closed this spring due to the pandemic. The Snack Shack’s proceeds are used to help fund the LAA’s initiatives along with funds from the race. Revenue generated from the Snack Shack has allowed the LAA to double the amount of scholarship money awarded.

“Our priority is funding student-athletes’ scholarships for the Class of 2021,” said Nardone. “We have awarded 10 $1,500 scholarships annually over the past four years, and we would love to be able to continue this tradition.”

Nardone said the LAA also purchases equipment for the high school’s athletic teams with the road race’s proceeds.

“We have been very fortunate with helping many LHS teams with very specific needs,” said Nardone. “We have purchased benches and netting for the baseball team, HUDL Assist software for basketball and a Jugs Machine for field hockey. The LAA also purchases championship T-shirts for teams who win Cape Ann League championships.”

Nardone said residents can select three different options for the LAA Fourth of July Road Race. Participants can either run a traditional 5K or a 1K on July 4. There is also a July 4 Miler option, where townspeople can run or walk four miles over the course of July.

“Simply register for the virtual option that suits you best,” said Nardone. “The LAA wants to be as inclusive as possible, so we are offering both a 5K and a mile distance. You can decide where to run it or walk it, whether it’s the streets of Lynnfield, the beach, on a trail or on a treadmill.”

Nardone said townspeople can register for the Fourth of July Road Race at www.runsignup.com/LAAVirtualJuly or by visiting the LAA’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

“We are not charging entry fees this year,” said Nardone. “We are trying to be sensitive to many families’ financial situations during the pandemic while still encouraging people to get out and exercise. Instead, we are asking for donations. You even have the choice to become a fundraiser for the LAA.”

Nardone noted the first 300 people who register for the 53rd annual Fourth of July Road Race will receive a face mask.

Wakefield Co-operative Bank is the race’s major sponsor once again. The LAA Fourth of July Road Race’s other sponsors are MarketStreet Lynnfield, Beth Israel Lahey Health and the YMCA of Metro North.

Nardone thanked Susie Cleary for coordinating the road race for the past three years.