May 21, 2021 by Carol Britton Meyer
The Fourth of July Road Race is on!
What better way to start off the July 4th holiday celebration than to run in the Hingham Rec "Feel the Freedom" Road Race this year?
After cancellation of the popular event in 2020 due to the pandemic, word that the in-person event will resume this year comes as good news to runners from Hingham and beyond who look forward to the event every year. The Hingham road race is one of the region's oldest foot races. Online registration will be available by June 1, along with full details.
"We're really excited. Hingham's Fourth is back!" Rec Commission Chair Vicki Donlan told the Hingham Anchor. "We're expecting a great turnout."
People seem to feel more comfortable being out and about these days, she noted. "Hingham deserves a big celebration, starting with the road race and then the parade and hopefully barbecues, the beach, and all the rest later in the day."
Some sponsors are already lined up, eager to support the return of this popular event. "They are happy to know that it's all for a good cause," Donlan said. Race proceeds benefit summer camp scholarships, equipment purchases, and programming.
The Recreation Commission made the decision to carry on with an in-person race Thursday night after ensuring that public safety personnel would be available as usual to provide assistance as necessary and in cooperation with town officials, according to Donlan.
"People are eager to compete in running again, and it will be fun for participants to see their neighbors and friends back in the race," she said. "Having the event this year gives former residents and others an opportunity to come back to Hingham to see their family and friends at the road race and during the parade."
Full details will be available soon at hinghamrec.com, along with registration information.
"Because this is going to be an epic year, we expect our highest numbers ever," Hingham Recreation Department Director Mark Thorell said. "To ensure we order enough t-shirts, we are asking people to register early."
As part of the effort to provide as many summer camp scholarships as needed this summer, the Hingham Rec has teamed up with Best Chevrolet to offer a Covid-relief option at race registration.
By adding a “Covid-Relief Fund $50” donation at check-out, Best Chevrolet will match an additional $50 "to help children get to camp in a year when many are struggling," Thorell said.
Those interested in becoming a road race sponsor are asked to call the Hingham Rec at (781) 741-1464.