More than 1,000 runners and walkers made their way through the Penn State campus on Saturday morning as Central PA 4th Fest’s Firecracker 4K kicked off America 250 Independence Day events in State College.
Marking its 22nd anniversary, the race started at 9 a.m. on Curtin Road near Beaver Stadium and made a loop through campus before ending back at the stadium.
Among the 1010 participants, Kyle Fritzche, 17, of State College, was the top overall and male finisher with a time of 12:24.28. Kara Foster, 36, of State College, was the top female runner with a time of 16:00.07.
Here’s a look at the morning run/walk through the lens of photographer Jeffrey Shomo.
Runners start the Firecracker 4K on Saturday, July 4, 2026 near Beaver Stadium. Photo by Jeffrey Shomo | For StateCollege.comPenn State Millennium Scholars pose for a photo before participating in the Firecracker 4K. Photo by Jeffrey Shomo | For StateCollege.comSome runners came in festive attire for the Firecracker 4K. Photo by Jeffrey Shomo | For StateCollege.comPhoto by Jeffrey Shomo | For StateCollege.comPhoto by Jeffrey Shomo | For StateCollege.comPhoto by Jeffrey Shomo | For StateCollege.comKyle Fritzche nears the finish line as the overall winner of the Firecracker 4K. Photo by Jeffrey Shomo | For StateCollege.comKara Foster crosses the finish line as the top female finisher in the Firecracker 4K. Photo by Jeffrey Shomo | For StateCollege.comDressed as a banana, 20-year-old Seth Maas, of State College, finishes the Firecracker 4K. Photo by Jeffrey Shomo | For StateCollege.comPhoto by Jeffrey Shomo | For StateCollege.comPhoto by Jeffrey Shomo | For StateCollege.comPhoto by Jeffrey Shomo | For StateCollege.comPhoto by Jeffrey Shomo | For StateCollege.com
While marking its own 99th anniversary, the annual Fourth of July parade in State College celebrated the United States’ 250th birthday on Saturday morning. Lining up at 10 a.m. and […]
