YORK, Maine — Liz Cooper, special events coordinator with the York Parks and Recreation Department, had no idea what the turnout was going to be like for the annual Four on the Fourth “virtual” road race earlier this month.
The numbers spoke for themselves.
In total, 345 people registered for the event, and more than 200 submitted times from 19 different states and as far away as Okinawa, Japan.
“This went better than I could have ever expected,” Cooper said. “The overwhelming message I received from participants was of gratitude. They were grateful this race still happened, even virtually and are optimistic for 2021′s race.”
This year’s “virtual” race was about 25% of last year’s field.
“I think one quarter of last year’s number is great,” Cooper said. “Going virtual was an early and easy decision because I know people enjoy this race and the coveted race shirt, plus I was confident the safest route was going virtual. A lot isn’t ‘normal’ this summer, but York Parks and Recreation and Rotary wanted to provide some normalcy by offering this year’s Four on the Fourth virtually.”
Chad Flickenger visited York every Fourth of July weekend when he was growing up in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. The annual trips didn’t stop as he got older and he would often run in the holiday race.
Flickenger, now 40 and living in Shelbyville, Kentucky, and his family participated in this year’s race.
“We went our four miles right here in our neighborhood,” said Chad’s wife, Ketti. “It was really fun. We enjoyed it. We had a hot, humid day. It was nothing to compared to be able to run near the beach versus running in Kentucky. It was a little harder, and not nearly as relaxing, I can tell you that. It was still fun, and we were happy to still be a part of it, and support it. Our kids thought it was amazing to be able to run; we were glad the virtual option was offered.”
The race, despite it being virtual, was still part of the Seacoast Road Race series.
Dan Covino, 32, of Enfield, Connecticut, was the unofficial winner in a time of 23 minutes, 43 seconds.