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

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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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Berkshire County Urged to Stay Home During Monday Nor'Easter

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Students and non-emergency municipal workers are home on Monday as the region is deals with another Nor'easter

Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales estimated that there was about 8 inches of accumulation around 10:45 a.m., and another two or three inches are expected. All of the main routes are covered by contractors and in-house staff, with support from the water division. 

"Wind is critical right now," Morales said. "That's the biggest problem we have ahead of us is wind driven conditions that may be difficult for people to drive on the road." 

The city has 19 contractors. There are still seven vacancies in the highway division, as well as one individual out on sick leave; four additional contractors with larger plows and road treatment capabilities were hired to fill the gap. 

Parking restrictions are in effect from 7 a.m. on Sunday to 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24.  Residents are asked to use off-street parking whenever possible and follow alternate side parking regulations if they need to park in the street: 

  • Between 7 a.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Monday: Park on the even-numbered side of the street.
  • Between 7 a.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday: Park on the odd-numbered side of the street.

The McKay Street parking garage is free through Tuesday at 7 a.m.

During the last storm, Pittsfield had to tow about 30 vehicles obstructing the plowing route.  Morales reported that the city has towed a few cars during this storm, and that people should be parking on the odd side of the street on Monday. 

"It's not bad. There's still definitely a few streets with parked vehicles all over the place," he said. 

"What we want with this is getting people to still be able to park on the road, but be organized in a way that we can more effectively plow the street." 

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