BHS July 4th 5K Road Race Still Going After 40 Years

10:48AM / Thursday, June 26, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It has been forty years since the first running of the Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) July 4th 5K kicked off in front of the parade spectators on Wahconah Street in Pittsfield.

The upcoming event sponsored by BHS and under the direction of Berkshire Running Foundation's Shiobbean Lemme for the third year.

In 1985 just under 200 runners took part in the race which last year registered just over 1100, bringing the attendance back to more than pre pandemic numbers.

Changes have been made to the event, including the support of BHS to register all students' grades K-12 for free, which Berkshire Running Foundation offers for all of their events. This enables families to have a wallet-friendly, healthy and fun activity to do together in celebrating the holiday.

Returning 2023 champion Nick Turner is in the field as well as 2024 second place Jake Paris and former Steel Rail winner Alex White who finished just off the podium last year. In the women's field two time returning champion Morgan Geddes, former winner Jackie Varney and top-ranking Miranda Bona are returning to the line on the fourth.

Overall, the top three winners will receive cash prizes. The age division winners will be acknowledged for the top three finishers. There will be a corporate prize for the overall team from the sponsored division as well as a Team prize for any team with the fastest 5 runners.

Registration for the event is online through the website Zippyreg.com. Online registration fee is $35 for adults through July 1 at 6pm when the fee increases to $40. Bib pick up is available on Wednesday July 2nd and Thursday July 3rd at Berkshire Running Center in the Allendale Shopping Center Underground from 10am-6pm. Online registration closes Thursday, July 3rd at 5pm. There is no race day registration.

The following businesses are sponsoring the BHS July 4th 5K:

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts,Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc.,B & G Restaurant Supply, Inc.,Greylock Federal Credit Union,Springside & Craneville Place Rehab & Nursing Centers,Moresi & Associates,Ashley Associates, LLC,Barile Environmental, Inc.,BBE Office Interiors,J. H. Maxymillian, Inc.,John's Tractor & Excavation Service, LLC,Berkshire Community College,Hill-Engineers, Architects, Planners, Inc.,MacFarlane Office Products, Inc.,Lipton Energy,Granite City Electric Supply,Berkshire County Sheriffs' Charitable Foundation, Inc., Pittsfield Cooperative Bank,MountainOne

The race starts on the north end of Wahconah St at 9:00AM Friday, July 4th. The race runs along the route of the Pittsfield Annual Fourth of July Parade. Runners will be asked to be at the start of the race no later than 8:45am. The walk from Wahconah Park to the start is about 15 minutes, Lemme suggests attendees plan to arrive early to avoid the stress of getting down to the start.

Information can be found at the Berkshire Running Foundation website www.berkshirerun.org . Shiobbean Lemme can be reached at director@berkshirerun.org

Tags: 4th of July, 5k, parade,

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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action.

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature."

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures.

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis.

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.

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