Go for a run this July Fourth
The Cleveland West Road Runners Club is proud to announce that the Bay Days 5-mile race and 1-mile kids run return once again to Bay High School. To the delight of longtime spectators, the July Fourth 5-mile race will run through the beautiful streets on the west side of Bay Village.
In contrast, the 1-mile kids run start and route is new. The 1-mile kids run will start on Wolf Road using the same starting line as the 5-mile run. Sharing the same start and finish line as the 5-mile enables the kids run to be chip timed as well. The 1-mile run will head west on Wolf, turn right onto Bassett, turn right again at the bike path next to the high school’s back driveway, and then loop to the main East entrance to finish on the Bay High stadium track.
The 5-mile race will start at 8:30 a.m. while the 1-mile kids run starts five minutes later. Members of Bay High’s Key Club will line the 1-mile route to cheer, shepherd confused runners, and encourage tired kids to keep moving.
As per the last few years, Dave Patzwahl will play his trumpet to call the runners to the start line and stir patriotism by playing "The Star Spangled Banner" before the 5-mile run and "America The Beautiful" before the 1-mile run. Dave will then join the Bay Community Band as they play Dixieland Jazz hits at the Wall of Fame next to the Mark Long Picnic Pavilion.
Other highlights include eating watermelons supplied by Whole Foods and Popsicles supplied by Joe and Liese Naninger. Medals will be given to all 1-mile finishers while age group awards will be given out to 5-milers.
Runners may register and pick up their T-shirts and bibs at the Second Sole Rocky River. Brooks Running and Second Sole have coordinated to donate Brooks Profile tech shirts. Cleveland West Road Runners Club volunteers will be at Second Sole from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 2; and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 3. Day of race registration begins in the Bay High School gym hallway at 7:15 a.m.
Runners may choose to donate to Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation for helping older adults with memory issues enjoy art projects with their caregivers.
To pre-register or for more information about the races, visit CleWestRunningClub.org.